Ryan Tannehill took over for the Tennessee Titans at quarterback in Week 7, turning the team around from a dismal 2-4 start and helping lead them all the way to an AFC Championship Game.
The Titans fell, 35-24, to the Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs, but will look to build upon their newfound success this year.
We know that Tannehill is more than solid when he’s consistent, but where does his supporting cast stand compared to the rest of the NFL?
According to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, not high. He put the Titans at No. 22 on his list ranking the offensive weapons of every NFL team, which was ahead of the New England Patriots, and behind the Cincinnati Bengals.
He noted the talent of star wide receiver A.J. Brown, and what could be of the receiving corps. if Corey Davis gains some momentum.
Brown posted one of the best YAC rates of the past decade, and while that’s likely to regress, he looks like he’s going to be a great player. If 2017 fifth overall pick Corey Davis were to take a step forward after three relatively anonymous campaigns, the Titans could have one of the best young wideout groups in football. They’ll also hope for more out of Adam Humphries after a disappointing debut campaign in Tennessee.
The Titans also have the league’s best running back in Derrick Henry, who took home the NFL’s rushing title in 2019 (1,540 yards).
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith can also boast of last year’s rushing leader in Derrick Henry, although his impact as a receiver mostly consisted of one 75-yard touchdown on a screen. With Dion Lewis leaving and Henry playing on the franchise tag, I wonder if the Titans decide to go all-in and use Henry as a three-down back with an Ezekiel Elliott-type workload. On the other hand, this offense would be a mess if Henry got injured, which means I was surprised that the Titans didn’t add another power back this offseason. I also thought they could pursue a tight end, but they’ll turn things over to the combination of Jonnu Smith and Anthony Firkser after moving on from Delanie Walker. This is a top-heavy group.
The Titans have struggled with consistency in the past, but it’s hard to picture Tannehill not having a stable of reliable offensive targets given the amount of potential the Titans have within their group of wide receivers, tight ends and running backs.
The question is as to how many of them will reach it and stay steady throughout the year.
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