With offseason team activities in the books, like many teams, the Tennessee Titans have set their sights on the start of training camp at the end of July.
The Titans ended their offseason preparations with their mandatory minicamp, and both created and squashed some of the storylines that many outlets were focused on. One of the stories that was crushed was the absence of star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, who not only showed up at minicamp to lead the defense, but he looked like a new man.
The defensive tackle has reshaped his body during the offseason and cut 20 pounds in an attempt to turn his elite pressure rate into sacks in 2025. That transformation was not lost on the coaching staff, who consistently spoke of Simmons and how he motivated some of them to improve their conditioning throughout the offseason.
Heading into the season, Simmons will look to lead an improved Titans’ defense and remain the on-field leader and potentially the Titans’ best player. But where does he sit in the hierarchy of players in the NFL? Pete Prisco of CBS Sports recently released his Top 100 NFL players for 2025, and Simmons not only made the cut, but he also moved up in the rankings from where he was entering the 2024 season.
78. Jeffery Simmons – Tennessee Titans DT
On a bad team in 2024, Simmons was one of the few bright spots. He remains one of the stronger inside players in the league, a guy who can wreck a game. He had five sacks last season, but he was second on the team in tackles. (Last season: No. 95)
The Titans need Simmons to meet his stated goal of turning pressures into sacks this season. Tennessee’s defense struggled mightily in that area in 2024, and that was a significant factor in the decision to overhaul much of the unit during the offseason. Simmons finished third on the team last season with five sacks, but with 2024 sack leader Harold Landry now in New England, the defense needs more.
They also need Simmons to continue to lead what is becoming a younger roster. With rookies and second-year players likely to play major roles in 2025, not only will they need his performance on the field to improve, but they will also need his locker room voice to be louder and make more of an impact.