Tennessee Titans Sign Nine-Year Veteran Pass Rusher

Tennessee Titans Sign Nine-Year Veteran Pass Rusher

Ward began his NFL career with the Raiders as a second-round selection in the 2016 NFL Draft. The 30-year-old pass rusher spent last season with the Minnesota Vikings. He registered one sack as a reserve piece behind starters Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Jonathan Bullard. Before his stint in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, he spent two seasons, posting eight sacks in that time frame. More importantly, he crossed over with DC Dennard Wilson in Baltimore for two seasons, so there’s a bit of familiarity there. There are further ties to the Titans as Senior Advisor Reggie McKenzie was the GM who drafted Ward in 2016.

PFF gave him an overall defense score of 51.5 with a 58 pass rush grade, which isn’t the best in the world but serviceable in a key reserve role.

Fit Check

He fits the recent philosophy charted by new GM Mike Borgonzi of getting bigger and more versatile in the trenches. Big ticket signing Dre’Mont Jones is another versatile chess piece that can be utilized in a variety of ways. The Titans also retained another big defensive end in Sebastian Joseph-Day. Ward fits the bill with a listed measurement of 6’5 285. It’s very likely that, should he make the final 53-man roster, he’ll back up Jones and SJD but be utilized in various roles along the line. However, he will face stiff competition from youngsters like James Lynch, Jaylen Harrell, and Ali Gaye in the pursuit of a roster spot.

Hopefully, the Titans can cobble together a modicum of pass rush threats to relieve a beleaguered secondary. Expect the roster churn to continue as they find pieces to do so. It will be interesting to see which interior defensive linemen and EDGE players ultimately make the final roster.

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