There’s no shortage of uncertainty surrounding the Tennessee Titans ahead of the 2023 campaign, and just like that, this team has a number of question marks up and down the stretch after a 7-10 season.
While depth is certainly an issue, health remains a bigger concern after the Titans have been the NFL’s most injury-hit team over the past two seasons, something that marred their 2022 campaign.
Lest we forget, the Titans were 7-3 and had an early lead due to injuries to several key players, including quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
The Titans have cut a lot of dead weight this offseason, and while the offense is still holding its own at receiver and could certainly use the addition of DeAndre Hopkins, the defense has enough talent to be among the league’s best if healthy, which will undoubtedly keep this team competitive.
Adding to that, the Titans have a great coach in Mike Vrabel who knows how to get the most out of anything he does.
If Hopkins comes to Nashville, I see no reason why this Titans team can’t be neck and neck with the AFC South favorites, the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Even with Hopkins out, the Titans offense may not be better than the Jags, but it will be pretty close. On the other side of the ball, give me the Tennessee team all day, every day and twice on Sunday.
You’ve heard my optimism, look at the pessimism coming from ESPN’s Mike Clay and Seth Walder, who recently ranked Tennessee’s roster at No. 28 in the NFL.
Clay believes the safety position is the team’s strongest unit, calling wide receiver and offensive tackle the team’s weakest.
Walder went on to identify wide receiver Trellon Burks as the team’s X-factor and labels running back Tyjae Spears as a non-starter. Here are their articles for each:
The strongest part: Security. Kevin Byard has two All-Pro seasons, but still seems underrated. The 29-year-old is one of the top safeties in the league and is joined by the versatile Amani Hooker in the secondary. Hawker’s big break came in 2008. In 2021 (he was PFF’s third-highest rated safety, while Beard ranked first) before an injury-plagued 2022 campaign. A healthy season from this duo will go a long way for a team that could use all the help it can get. – Clay
The weakest part. Offensive tackle and wide receiver (tie). This was too close to call. Tennessee gave former first-round pick Andre Dillard a three-year, $29 million contract after he failed to make an impact in four seasons in Philadelphia. Nicolas Petit-Freire is the perfect solution after tiring as a rookie. At wide receiver, the team appears set to roll on the depth chart with Nick Westbrook-Eakhine, Kyle Phillips and Chris Moore failing to add impact players behind the unproven Trelon Burks. – Clay
For 2023 X Factor: WR Trelon Burks. If he doesn’t break down, we can leave him with this offense. Burks had just 444 receiving yards last season, but his 1.83 yards per route rush ranked 33rd out of 104 WRs with a minimum of 200 routes. – Walder
Unbeknownst to: RB Tyjae Spears. At 5-foot-10, 200 pounds, Spears may be a lot smaller than Derrick Henry, but at some point the former Tulane RB could take the famous back. – Walder
The AFC South gets absolutely hammered in these rankings, with the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts 29th and 30th, respectively. In comparison, the Jags came out smelling like roses at No. 15.
Safety is one of Tennessee’s strongest position groups in 2023, as Kevin Byrd and Amani Hooker have played as a top duo when the latter is healthy.
But they’re up there with running back Derek Henry and a defensive line that features a solid trio of Jeffery Simmons, Tier Tart and DeNico Outree, if not better.
When it comes to safety and defensive line, both positions are strong at the top of the depth chart but have depth issues, which is especially important given Hacker’s past injury woes.
It remains to be seen if the Titans can avoid the injury issues they’ve had the past two years, but if there’s ever a team that’s due for a healthy season, it’s Vrabel’s team, right?
right?!
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