Six weeks of the NFL season have concluded, and the defensive side of the ball is where many former Vols found their success this week.
Cornerback Cameron Sutton
Cameron Sutton appears to be one of the NFL’s most underrated signings of the offseason after moving over from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Detroit Lions. Showcased as a slot corner with the Steelers, Sutton is getting his opportunity on the boundary with the Lions – where he has largely gotten in stride.
“He’s been great. He’s been a steady, reliable piece for us,” Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell said about Sutton on Friday. “He’s somebody you don’t have to worry about him handling his business. You don’t have to worry about if he’s going to be in the right position. Mental errors aren’t going to show up in this guy. He’s just dependable.”
Week six brought Sutton a tough matchup with Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans. Despite being six inches shorter than Evans, Sutton provided a nightmare defensive presence against the 6-foot-5 receiver. Sutton was targeted five times while being responsible for allowing three catches for eight yards as well as a pass breakup.
Sutton’s 81.6 PFF grade was ranked as the highest Lions defender, while ranked fifth among all cornerbacks.
Defensive tackle Shy Tuttle
Shy Tuttle’s emergence on a young Panthers squad was in the passing game. Facing an explosive Miami Dolphins offense, Tuttle forced quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to find different passing lanes. In the Panthers’ week six loss to the Dolphins, Tuttle recorded three batted balls.
Tuttle is in his fifth NFL season but his first with the Carolina Panthers after spending the first four years with the New Orleans Saints.
“I grew up a Panthers fan,” Tuttle said in his introductory press conference. “I’m excited to be here. My family is excited. I would say a dream come true, kind of, growing up a Panthers fan. I’m appreciative.”
Tuttle has recorded 16 tackles on the year for the hometown Panthers with half a sack and four passes broken up.
Edge rusher Byron Young
As the 2023 season progresses, Byron Young continues to prove the third-round draft capital spent on him was a bargain of a price. This past week, Young faced off against the Arizona Cardinals and fellow Vol Joshua Dobbs. Unfortunately for Dobbs, Young packed his stat sheet in the win.
On a drive late in the fourth quarter, Young strip-sacked Dobbs to end any potential comeback for the Cardinals. Young finished with six total tackles and two quarterback hurries, along with a sack and forced fumble.
Young recorded five pressures against the Cardinals – his third time achieving this feat this season. Young ranks first amongst rookie pass rushers in pressures.
In six games, Young paces the Rams’ defense with three sacks. Young also ranks second among all 2023 draftees, only behind Eagles’ first-round draftee Jalen Carter (3.5 sacks).
Other Vols
After contributing 26 routes and zero targets last week, quarterback Tyrod Taylor and Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka included their rookie more in the game plan this week.
Jalin Hyatt logged four targets and hauled in three receptions for 21 yards, including a big fourth-down conversion that gave the Giants a chance late in the fourth quarter against the Bills. Hyatt also had a 43-yard sideline toe-drag catch wiped off the board due to a penalty. As the weeks go on, Hyatt appears to be getting more involved.
Among other Vols, Velus Jones Jr. added 110 all-purpose yards for the Bears, while Alvin Kamara contributed 104 all-purpose yards for the Saints. Joshua Palmer also supplied 60 yards on four catches in the spotlight on Monday Night Football.
Week seven kicks off Thursday night with Kamara, Alontae Taylor and Kyle Philips in action for the New Orleans Saints as they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.
