Top 3 Titans on Defense with "Most Pressure" at Summer OTAs

The Tennessee Titans have moved past the primary player acquisition phases of the 2023 offseason and now move into the early summer camp window that includes organized team activities and mandatory mini-camp. These three players on defense have the most pressure going into the summer.

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans will move past focusing on adding players and now look to improve the players they have on the roster. Team OTAs and mandatory mini-camp are next up on the Titans' schedule and a few key players on the defensive side of the ball will be facing the most pressure this summer.

Elijah Molden, Cornerback

Molden had a great start to his career. He played in 16 games as a rookie as the Titans early-down slot corner. Molden was a physical player that could cover, but more importantly, could help in the run game while the Titans still kept five defensive backs on the field. Molden allowed the Titans major flexibility. 

Sadly, Molden missed all, but two games in 2022 due to a groin injury. He missed a lot of the preseason process, came back during the season, but after reaggravating the groin, went back out again. Molden needs to stay healthy and bounce back strong.

 The Titans added Roger McCreary in 2021 who has slot capability and signed Sean Murphy-Bunting in free agency. If Molden doesn't come ready, he could lose his role on the roster.

Rashad Weaver, Edge Rusher

Rashad Weaver got a nice opportunity in 2022 due to the injuries to Harold Landry and Bud Dupree. Weaver put up 5.5 sacks, but was inconsistent and undisciplined at times. However, worth noting that Weaver only played two games in his rookie season of 2021 due to an injury. 2022 was essentially Weaver's rookie season. 

Weaver was set to be the starter across from Landry in 2023 and then the team added Arden Key in free agency. The Titans will certainly use all three, but clearly the Titans wanted some competition to push Weaver. 

Weaver also has a chance to step into the role currently fill be veteran Denico Autry. Autry rushes from the outside and inside for the Titans and Autry is long in the tooth. Weaver could vault himself into a very valuable role for years to come if he is on his game this summer and this season.

Monty Rice, Linebacker

All three of these players have two things in common. First, they all were drafted in 2021 and are going into their third seasons. Second, all of them lost valuable time in one of their seasons due to injury. For Rice it was 2021 where he suffered an Achilles injury and only played in ten games

However, Rice came back in 2022 and played in 13 games. A nice response, but Rice will certainly want to increase his games played in 2023 now that he has a clear line to a starting job. Next to newly-signed Azeez Al-Shaair, Rice should be set to be a staple in the Titans' front seven. 

With proper play, Rice could solidify himself as the Titans' primary starting linebacker for years in the future. There is a lot on the line for Rice and he needs to perform his best starting with summer camps to get a boost towards his goals.

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