The Tennessee Titans have a revolving door at RT. Who should play versus the Patriots on Sunday?
The Tennessee Titans have been a revolving door at right tackle this season. Four different tackles have played the position over the previous four games. Nicholas Petit-Frere, Jaelyn Duncan, Leroy Watson, and John Ojukwu have all received turns to try and settle Tennessee’s most problematic position.
In the Week 8 blowout loss to the Detroit Lions, it was Watson and Ojukwu that shared first-team reps with Petit-Frere, the majority starter, being a healthy scratch. Watson totaled 47 offensive snaps against the Lions. Ojukwu was the second-choice option, receiving 29 reps.
Watson struggled mightily. Pro Football Focus credited Watson with allowing two quarterback pressures via just 24 pass-blocking snaps, en route to a lackluster grade of 48.2 in protection. He was also whistled for two penalties, and struggled as a run blocker, grading out at 40.3 in the ground game.
Ojukwu fared far better, according to PFF’s data. The former undrafted free agent out of Boise State allowed four pressures via 23 pass-blocking snaps, but graded out far better on a snap-by-snap basis, earning a 59.3 in protection. Ojukwu was whistled for one penalty as well. He was a force multiplier in the run game, scoring a 70.0. Starting running back Tony Pollard had a good day, rushing for a season-high 94 yards while averaging 4.7 yards per carry.
For the fourth consecutive contest, Titans head coach Brian Callahan has a decision to make at right tackle as they prepare to play the New England Patriots in Week 9. With Duncan on IR, and Petit-Frere squandering the opportunities he’s had, there’s a decent chance we’ll see both Ojukwu and Watson again at right tackle. Based on recent performances, Ojukwu should receive the majority of reps this time. Ran Carthon also recently signed Isaiah Prince to the practice squad. Prince may soon receive his opportunity as well.
The 2-6 Patriots have recorded a 26th-ranked 15 sacks in eight showings this campaign. They’re nearly as ineffective as the Titans are at sacking quarterbacks (14). With Will Levis expected to return under center, the Titans have a legitimate chance to protect their sophomore starter. After all, the Patriots’ pass-rushing-win-rate (PRWR) this season is just a 20th-best 41%, per ESPN Stats & Info.
Right tackle remains a long-term problem for the Titans. The 2025 solution is not on the current roster. As they prepare for Levis’ likely return versus the Patriots, Ojukwu deserves the majority of reps moving forward.