Will the second-round pick be a starter for the Tennessee Titans in 2025?
Pretty much everyone agrees the biggest weakness on the Tennessee Titans’ roster heading into the 2025 campaign is the EDGE-rushing group. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson saw his unit record the third-fewest sacks in the NFL during the 2024 season. The lack of a consistent threat off the edge was the defense’s biggest culprit. The situation hasn’t improved on paper this offseason.
First-year GM Mike Borgonzi parted ways with Harold Landry, releasing him from his contract. The only notable move made in free agency was to sign Dre’Mont Jones to a one-year contract. Jones is an NFL-caliber defender who failed to meet expectations with the Seattle Seahawks. Veteran rusher Lorenzo Carter was also signed, but he’s been a deep rotational option at best throughout his career.
After trading back, Borgonzi used his second-round selection on former UCLA EDGE Femi Oladejo. The question immediately becomes how quickly could Oladejo contribute to the Titans defense? Wilson probably enters Week 1 with Arden Key and Jones as his starting edges.
How long does that remain the case?
Ideally, on most NFL defenses, Key and Jones are No. 3 rushers. The Titans have instead have them both penciled into starting roles. Furthermore, Key, Jones, and Carter are all on expiring contracts. Borgonzi clearly doesn’t view them as long-term solutions.
Oladejo spent the majority of his college career playing inside linebacker. He was miscast in that role. Oladejo made the midseason switch to EDGE in 2024. His athletic profile indicates its his best future forecast position, but an acclimation period may be required.
The Titans’ lack of overall talent at EDGE would typically indicate Oladejo possesses a terrific opportunity to quickly capture an immediate role. His career arc somewhat complicates that expectation. For Oladejo to quickly eat into Jones’ and Key’s workload, he’ll need to prove capable of playing EDGE on a full-time basis rather early in the schedule.