Titans need to make significant strides this season
The Tennessee Titans have to make a move in 2019. If they don’t. they are in serious danger of becoming a perennial afterthought in the AFC South.
For years, the Titans have been good enough to stay in the playoff conversation but never quite a contender. Tennessee actually did reach the playoffs in 2017 as a mundane 9-7 unit and pulled off a stunning comeback in the Wild Card round, rallying from 21-3 down to beat the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. However, they were blown out in Foxboro by the New England Patriots a week later, and last year, missed the playoffs altogether.
Looking at the division entering April, it’s tough to see the Titans as one of the two best teams. The Indianapolis Colts reached the Divisional round in January and added a pair of free agents in wide receiver Devin Funchess and outside linebacker Justin Houston. The Houston Texans didn’t do much of note in free agency, but already have a quality core of stars including Deshaun Watson, J.J. Watt, DeAndre Hopkins, Whitney Mercilus, Jadeveon Clowney and others.
Titans general manager Jon Robinson has done a nice job so far this offseason. He signed guard Rodger Saffold to a four-year, $44 million deal while also landing slot receiver Adam Humphries. Both should improve the offense around quarterback Marcus Mariota, who entering his fifth season, must improve. If he doesn’t, Robinson and head coach Mike Vrabel now have a real backup plan in Ryan Tannehill. Tennessee has long dealt with subpar backups in Matt Cassel and Blaine Gabbert, but now, Tennessee can survive if either Mariota is injured or ineffective.
With the NFL Draft less than a month away — and being hosted by Nashville — the Titans are metaphorically on the clock. Robinson needs to come away with a few difference-markers on the offensive side of the ball, perhaps another receiver to play opposite of Corey Davis and a tight end to compliment or even usurp Delanie Walker. Tennessee has never enjoyed a high-powered offense since moving from Houston. If the Titans are going to change their fortunes and compete with the Colts and Texans, both of whom have terrific quarterbacks, they need to provide their middling signal-caller with ample help.
The next month will be critical both in the short and long-term for the Titans. A few low-key signings and a terrific draft would be a boon for Tennessee. Without them, it’s hard to see anything but another lost year for a Titans team that can’t afford more mediocrity.
