The Titans were in the playoff race all of last year until a late season injury to Marcus Mariota caused them to fall out. The Titans are full of potential and look primed to end their playoff drought and take back the AFC South from the Texans. If Mariota improves even more in his third season the Titans will be that much better as their running game already dominates.
Arrivals/Departures:
Arrivals: Logan Ryan, Daren Bates, Johnathan Cyprien, Brynden Trawick, Tim Lelito, Sylvester Williams, Eric Weems
Departures: Kendall Wright, Jason McCourty, Anthony Fasano, Valentino Blake, Chance Warmack, Marc Mariani, Rashad Johnson, Al Woods, Brian Schwenke
Offence:
Marcus Mariota continues to improve as the quarterback of the Titans keeping them in the playoff run last year but coming off a broken leg, durability will be his biggest question mark this upcoming season. The running game is as strong as any throughout the league with do it all back DeMarco Murray and power back Derrick Henry as well as fullback Jalston Fowler. Mariota got himself two new starting wide receivers in fifth overall pick Corey Davis and veteran Eric Decker who missed a majority of last season. Both should help the offence as last years number one receiver Rishard Matthews will be pushed back to a more comfortable role. Tajae Sharpe and Harry Douglas will also get shots at the position and provide excellent depth if Decker suffers yet another injury. Delaine Walker is among the best tight ends in the league as he improves with age while Jace Amaro will provide depth at tight end. Taylor Lewan and Jack Conklin form the best tackle duo in the league as they both dominate the trenches with their styles of play. Conklin was an all pro in his first season last year and if he improves even more he could be the best tackle in the NFL competing with Joe Thomas and Tyron Smith. The rest of the line is good too with Ben Jones, Josh Kline and Quinton Spain.
Defence:
The leader of the defence is Jurrell Casey and the Titans just locked him up for another four year at $60 million to lead the defence. Casey is massive but he is fast and quick for his size making him a good run stuffer and pass rusher. Starting on the defensive line alongside Casey will be Sylvester Williams and DaQuan Jones with Karl Klug providing depth. The line backing core has four good starters but the best one of the four is sack specialist Brian Orakpo who has the knack to reach the quarterback at all times. Expect to see a lot of sacks in Nashville this season especially from Orakpo and Casey. Derrick Morgan will be the other starting outside linebacker with solid tacklers Wesley Woodyard and Avery Williamson starting in the middle. The secondary may be the weakness of the team but they improved it over the off-season bringing in Super Bowl champion Logan Ryan and drafting Adoree`Jackson in the first round. Jonathan Cyprien was also brought in from the Titans division rival Jaguars to improve the safety position with Da`Norris Searcy starting beside him.
Special Teams:
Ryan Succop is just an average kicker but he nailed some late game field goals to win the Titans some games last year showing he could be clutch. Brett Kern will once again be the punter while star returner Eric Weems comes over from the Falcons in the return game.
Starters:
Offence
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Defence
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Rishard Matthews
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DaQuan Jones
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Corey Davis
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Sylvester Williams
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Eric Decker
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Jurrell Casey
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Taylor Lewan
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Derrick Morgan
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Quinton Spain
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Wesley Woodyard
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Ben Jones
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Avery Williamson
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Josh Kline
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Brian Orakpo
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Jack Conklin
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Logan Ryan
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Delaine Walker
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Da'Norris Searcy
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Marcus Mariota
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Jonathan Cyprien
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DeMarco Murray
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Adoree' Jackson
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5. Corey Davis
18. Adoree' Jackson
72. Taywan Taylor
100. Jonnu Smith
155. Jayon Brown
217. Corey Levin
227. Josh Carraway
236. Brad Seaton
241. Khalfani Muhammad
Top 10 Players:
10. Corey Davis
9. Wesley Woodyard
8. Derrick Morgan
7. Brian Orakpo
6. Jack Conklin
5. Delaine Walker
4. Taylor Lewan
3. Jurrell Casey
2. DeMarco Murray
1. Marcus Mariota
Season Prediction: 11-5 (1st in AFC South)
Last Year: 9-7
Photo credit for Logan Ryan goes to http://bleacherreport.com/. Marcus Mariota goes to https://www.usatoday.com/. Jurrell Casey goes to http://www.espn.com/. Brian Orakpo goes to http://foxpsorts.com/.
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