What can the Tennessee Titans do this season with new-look roster?
The Tennessee Titans have a new look on both sides of the ball, but what is their ceiling heading into the 2021 NFL season?
What to make of the Tennessee Titans?
Tennessee has reached the postseason each of the past two seasons, going to the AFC Championship Game in 2019 before falling in the Wild Card round in January. After the campaign ended, general manager John Robinson got busy, adding receiver Julio Jones, edge rusher Bud Dupree and defensive tackle Denico Autry via trade and free agency.
However, the Titans also lost plenty. Tight end Jonnu Smith and receiver Corey Davis left for there AFC East, while safety Kenny Vaccaro and corners Adoree Jackson and Malcolm Butler exited stage right.
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All told, perhaps no playoff team from a year ago looks more different save for the New Orleans Saints. So, again, what to make of the Titans?
Looking at the AFC South, Tennessee gets a nice head start on the rest of the conference. It’s likely the worst division, with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans arguably the AFC’s bottom-feeders. While the Indianapolis Colts have talent — especially in the front seven — they also have major question marks with Carson Wentz taking over for Philip Rivers.
The Titans are currently second in future odds for the division title, with oddsmakers believing in Wentz. Might be a good time to pick up value on Tennessee.
If things go right for Tennessee, it should have a stellar offense. The trio of Jones, A.J. Brown and Derrick Henry is a menacing one. Ryan Tannehill is often overlooked as well after throwing for 3,819 yards and 33 touchdowns against seven interceptions in 2020. If the line holds up, we’re looking at an elite unit.
Read: Baker Mayfield Preaches Focus Amid High Expectations
The biggest question is defensively. The additions of Dupree and Autry — along with first-round corner Caleb Farley — are excellent. However, can the secondary hold up? Is there enough pass rush as Dupree is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in late November. Last year, the Titans were awful on pass-rush metrics and third down. Does that change, even to a slight degree?
Overall, Tennessee should be a playoff team. The Titans even have a strong case as division favorites. And, while they aren’t the Kansas City Chiefs or Buffalo Bills, they could be the AFC’s third-best outfit alongside the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns.
It largely hinges on how healthy Jones is, whether the defense can improve in the aforementioned areas and whether Buffalo and Kansas City take slight steps back.
