Tennessee Titans 2023 Preview: The Tennessee Titans have experienced a rollercoaster ride in recent years, holding a vise-like grip on the AFC South for three consecutive years before faltering with a 7-10 record last season. This season, the team aims to regroup and compete for the division title once again after undergoing significant roster changes in the offseason, while cappers have been busy preparing for bets on the best NFL betting websites.
Offseason Evaluation
The Titans’ offseason moves have been met with mixed reviews. While they made some valuable additions, such as defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons and quarterback Will Levis, there are lingering concerns about their offensive line and receiving corps.
The team’s grade for the offseason remains questionable due to uncertainties surrounding certain acquisitions, such as offensive tackle Andre Dillard. The potential addition of DeAndre Hopkins could bolster the receiving group, but its impact remains to be seen given Hopkins’ age.
It’s hard to get excited about the Titans’ off-season. The big addition was offensive tackle Andre Dillard, who failed to impress as a Philadelphia Eagles first-round pick and started nine games over four seasons (he missed 2020 due to injury), including none last year. He got $29 million over three seasons, which is dubious. Guard Nate Davis left the Titans to sign with the Chicago Bears, and he’s been a better player than Dillard. Tennessee also cut longtime offensive tackle, Taylor Lewan.
The Titans made a nice pickup with defensive lineman Arden Key. The big move to start the offseason was a four-year, $94 million deal to defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, one of the top interior defenders in the NFL. In the first round of the draft, the Titans helped their line with Northwestern offensive lineman Peter Skoronski, who has been working at guard and tackle in the offseason.
Quarterback Will Levis was an interesting second-round pick, but his fallout of the first round is an indication that he was overrated by draft analysts. Running back Tyjae Spears in the third round was an acknowledgment that this could be Henry’s last season in Tennessee, though Spears has a scary medical report that reportedly includes no ACL and arthritis in one of his knees. Top of Form
Tennessee Titans 2023 Preview: Offensive Challenges
The Titans face several key storylines as they enter the new season. One major question is whether veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill can keep rookie second-round pick Will Levis at bay and lead the offense effectively. Additionally, the team must decide whether to trade or keep their star running back, Derrick Henry.
Despite possessing star talents like Jeffery Simmons, Denico Autry, Harold Landry III, Kevin Byard, and Derrick Henry, the Titans’ lack of proven depth around these players has raised concerns. The offensive line, in particular, is an area of concern, with uncertainties regarding the best position for first-round pick Peter Skoronski.
Skoronski’s versatility might lead him to either tackle or guard, potentially impacting the starting lineup. Free agent acquisition Andre Dillard is also an unknown at left tackle, adding to the uncertainty in the offensive line. In addition, Aaron Brewer at center and Nicholas Petit-Fere at right tackle are relatively unproven players.
The receiving corps also poses a concern, despite the presence of athletic pass catchers Treylon Burks and Chigoziem Okonkwo. The effectiveness of the offense largely relies on Tannehill’s ability to return to his pre-2022 form as a super-efficient game manager. If he struggles, the presence of the promising Will Levis behind him could become a significant storyline during the season.
New offensive coordinator Tim Kelly, who was the team’s passing game coordinator, last year, has his work cut out for him as he takes Todd Downing’s role. Without a star besides Henry, the Titans seem doomed to reproduce an uninspiring offense that has only one way to win.
Defensive Expectations
The Titans’ defense faces its share of challenges as well. While boasting a solid track record under the guidance of head coach Mike Vrabel, the unit showed signs of slipping last season. With a potentially weaker offense, the defense must step up to fill the void and propel the team forward.
To bolster the defense, the Titans are banking on internal growth from cornerbacks Caleb Farley and Roger McCreary. Additionally, they are hoping that former 49ers Arden Key and Azeez Al-Shaair can successfully transition into bigger starting roles. The defense’s success largely depends on how these players perform during the season.
The Titans have one of the easiest strengths of schedule this year, which could bode well for the team to outperform expectations. But with razor-thin depth along the defense once again, the unit must be fantastic. They crumpled a bit in 2022 due to the secondary’s inability to create turnovers and slow offenses from moving the ball with ease.
Internal growth from cornerbacks Caleb Farley and Roger McCreary would help the unit tremendously. Tennessee is also hoping former 49ers Arden Key and Azeez Al-Shaair are ready for bigger starting roles. If all of those things happen, then this defense can carry an offense that will go back to its tried-and-true recipe of being a low-upside unit that can edge out opponents in ugly contests.
Predictions and Playoffs Aspirations
Tennessee Titans 2023 Preview: Despite last season’s struggles, the Titans are not far removed from being strong contenders in the AFC South. Injuries played a significant role in their downfall, and a healthier team could potentially replicate their earlier successes.
Key to the Titans’ chances is the longevity of Derrick Henry’s dominance as a running back. With a heavy workload in the past few seasons, there is concern that Henry’s performance might begin to decline as he approaches age 30. However, he has defied expectations thus far and continues to be a formidable force in the league.
The Titans also need a strong showing from Ryan Tannehill to lead the offense efficiently. Offensive coordinator Tim Kelly’s efforts will be crucial in optimizing the offense’s potential.
If Henry looks like an average back as he approaches age 30, what do the Titans become? Tight end Chig Okonkwo and receiver Treylon Burks, a 2022 first-round pick, are intriguing talents but they’re not proven. Nobody else on the roster looks like a future 1,000-yard receiver. There’s no sure thing backing up Henry. And Tannehill is aging. That’s a reason the Titans took Kentucky, QB Will Levis, in the second round.
There were trade rumors with Tannehill and Henry, and while neither was moved, it says something that the Titans seemed to be considering it. Maybe they should have traded one or both. Both players are set to become free agents next offseason and it seems like the Titans are on the verge of a rebuild anyway, leading bettors to make room for them as per the most recent NFL betting stats.
Perhaps they get one more playoff push out of a Henry-led roster. Vrabel is a fixer, and that will help. But what we saw late last season, injuries or not could be the first signs of a big drop for Tennessee.
