With training camp set to begin in less than three weeks, players are fine-tuning their bodies in preparation for the upcoming season. One player that the Tennessee Titans can count on to be front and center in padded practices is star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. 

Simmons caused a stir in the local media by skipping most of the offseason activities. Still, when he did arrive at the facility for the mandatory minicamp, he put any concerns to rest. Simmons came in motivated and appeared to be a completely different player. 

The star defensive tackle reshaped his body during the offseason and cut 20 pounds in an attempt to turn his elite pressure rate into sacks in 2025. If he does that, he could be a dominant player. 

Coming off a frustrating 2024 season in which his production dipped, many wonder where Simmons ranks compared to other top-tier defensive tackles. Well, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN compiled a list of the top interior defenders as voted on by executives, coaches, and scouts, with Simmons again landing solidly in the top-5. 

4. Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans

Highest ranking: 4 | Lowest ranking: unranked

Age: 27 | Last year’s ranking: 4

Simmons has been a staple in the top 10 due to unique power that some evaluators consider the best in the league. He has risen to as high as No. 2 on the list because of the problems he gives opposing guards and centers.

But evaluators are trying to make sense of his lack of production last season, including five sacks and nine quarterback hits, the latter of which ranked next to last in the top 10 or honorable mention categories among players who played most or all of the season.

“Still dominant vs. the run — I didn’t see the same pass-rush explosion,” an NFC executive said.

Others cut Simmons slack, noting that playing on a bad team without much support on the outside is a factor. One coach noted that Denico Autry, a Titan from 2021 to 2023 before signing with Houston as a free agent, was an underrated edge rusher next to Simmons and that the two played off each other well.

“Morale gets low and it’s hard to rush when you’re always playing from behind,” an NFL coordinator said. “Still one of the most complete players.”

Simmons remains the anchor of the Titans’ defense and could be poised to have another breakout season. After putting on a show at minicamp, he will likely enter training camp in the best shape of his career, and he appears motivated to make more of an impact. He also has the benefit of playing next to T’Vondre Sweat, who should also make a big jump in his second year in the system. 

The Titans have some questions that must be answered on defense, particularly at edge and inside linebacker, where the team has gotten bigger and younger. But if the new players around him can gel during training camp, there is no doubt that the Titans will be better on defense, and Simmons will be leading the charge.