The Tennessee Titans selected Rashad Weaver in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft, and Tennessee snagging the former consensus All-American at that point of the draft was considered a steal by many.
And we’re slowly starting to see why.
Weaver has produced the second-most sacks out of all second-year defenders with 5.5, falling behind only Dallas Cowboys star linebacker Micah Parsons (12). Weaver ranks third on the team in the category.
However, Weaver has hit somewhat of a wall as of late, with four of those sacks coming over the first four weeks of the season, and only 1.5 since.
Sack leaders this season from the 2021 Draft class:
Micah Parsons 12
Rashad Weaver 5.5
Jaelan Phillips 5
Greg Rousseau 5
Kwity Paye 5 pic.twitter.com/9efNwqZfVp— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) December 8, 2022
Nonetheless, there’s a lot to be optimistic about when it comes to the Titans defender’s long-term potential going forward.
Hopefully, Weaver is able to have a final five-game stretch of the 2022 campaign that’s at least comparable to the way he started the year.
Tennessee desperately needs its tenacious pass-rush to return to form as soon as possible if the team is going to give itself a puncher’s chance in the tournament.
Weaver will try to get back on track this week against a Jaguars team that has given up 23 sacks this season, tied for the fifth-fewest in the NFL. The Jags may also be without its promising young quarterback, Trevor Lawrence.
Regardless of who’s under center for the Jags, a dominant performance by Weaver and Co. would be a sight for sore eyes after a few lackluster showings as of late.