Behind Enemy Lines: Week 2 Q&A with Titans Wire

Titans Wire’s Mike Moraitis is taking the Titans in Sunday’s game as the Jags have routinely struggled with stopping Derrick Henry.

The Jacksonville Jaguars got them a win Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts and it’s now time to turn their focus to the Tennessee Titans. A Week 2 win on the Jags’ part would thrust them into first place in the division, a place nobody expected them to be so early in the season, or at any point in 2020.

To get our readers more acclimated with the Titans, Jags Wire sat down with the Titans Wire and their managing editor Michael Moraitis. Here are five burning questions he was able to answer as we get closer to Week 2’s important game:

Jags Wire: With there being no preseason, Week 1’s series of games were very important for all 32 teams to iron out the kinks and give fans a preview of their teams. What were your takeaways from the Titans’ Week 1 win over Denver?

Michael Moraitis: The Titans’ offense looked pretty sluggish, and it was the defense that really kept Tennessee in the game long enough to grab the win. Overall, Ryan Tannehill didn’t look sharp and Derrick Henry didn’t seem to have much bounce in his step, even though he broke the 100-yard mark. The Titans were lucky to escape with a win, especially given their struggles in the kicking game.

JW: Last year the Titans went to the AFC Championship and were a game away from going to the Super Bowl. What were some of the additions made this offseason to get them over the hump and make them stronger in the AFC South?

MM: The Titans have tried to get faster in the slot with the addition of second-round pick Kristian Fulton, and their pass-rush should be much better with the additions of Jadeveon Clowney and Vic Beasley – that is, once Beasley actually gets on the field.

We got a good taste of what Clowney can do in Week 1, but his impact was minimal in the second half as he was dealing with fatigue, which wasn’t surprising considering he had less than a full week of practices ahead of the Broncos game. After the game, Clowney said he expects his play to get even better once his conditioning improves, and he admitted he’s still learning the defense and wasn’t totally sure what was going on out there in his debut.

JW: Of course, we all know about Derrick Henry, A.J. Brown, and Kevin Byard, but who are some of the lesser known names who could make an impact Sunday for the Titans?

MM: On offense, it’s no doubt wide receiver Corey Davis. Granted, he’s a former No. 5 overall pick, but he has been flying under the radar since Brown exploded last season. Davis was sensational in Week 1, pulling in seven catches for 101 yards, and both of those totals were the most he’s had in a game since Week 10 of 2018.

Also, watch out for tight end Jonnu Smith. The Titans are lining him up all over the field – including in the backfield – and really trying to get him the ball in space so he can make plays with his insane athleticism.

On defense, outside linebacker Harold Landry could wreck this game. He started off a bit slow in Week 1, but he made his presence felt in the second half by creating pressure and being effective when dropping back against the pass, which is something he has struggled to do in the past.

JW: Sunday’s game is going to be significantly different than those we’ve seen in the past because there will be no fans at Nissan Stadium. Do you think that may work against the Titans this week?

MM: Not at all. Unfortunately for the Titans, they’ve had lackluster attendance at games over the years, and when a team with a bigger fan base comes to town, the visiting fans can make it feel like a road game for the Titans. Tennessee has also been a good road team in the past, proving it can thrive in even the most hostile environment (see: the 2019 playoffs). If there’s one team who can easily overcome not having the energy of fans in the stands, it’s the Titans.

JW: What are your score predictions for the game?

MM: Until the Jaguars prove to me they can stop Derrick Henry, I don’t see them beating the Titans. The Titans are going to try and do what they couldn’t in Week 1, which was setup the play-action game with a lot of Henry, who should have more room to run this week after being mostly stifled by a stellar Broncos run defense. Titans come out on top, 28-17

Listen to the latest from Jags Wire’s own James Johnson and Phil Smith on their podcast “Bleav in the Jags.” Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and check out our archived episodes via Bleav Podcasts.

Daily Fantasy: The one Titans player you need to start in Week 1 on DraftKings

Titans tight end Jonnu Smith could be a DFS sleeper in Week 1.

The Tennessee Titans will go on the road in Week 1 to face the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football on Sept. 14. The game, televised on ESPN, will feature several notable fantasy football options.

For the Titans, running back Derrick Henry is the big name in fantasy, but he has an expensive price tag ($7,900) in DraftKings’ daily fantasy salary cap challenge (roster limit: $50,000). With an average of $5,500 available to spend on each player, it’s probably not worth splurging on Henry.

When Tennessee faced Denver in Week 6 last year, Henry was limited to just 28 rushing yards on 15 carries. Henry will likely have a better game in Monday’s season opener but his DFS cap hit it too big to justify.

Instead, fantasy owners should consider playing tight end Jonnu Smith.

Denver’s defense allowed the sixth-most receptions to tight ends last season (90) and the fourth-most yards (974). The Broncos only allowed three touchdowns to TEs in 2019 but that might have been more of a coincidence than an intentional effort to lock down tight ends in the red zone.

The Broncos’ top coverage linebacker, Mark Barron, has a hamstring injury and might not play in Denver’s season opener. If Barron doesn’t suit up in Week 1, the Broncos’ defense might struggle to cover TEs even more than usual.

Titans tight ends totaled five catches for 76 yards in a 16-0 loss to Denver last season. With Delanie Walker no longer part of the team, Smith has emerged as the No. 1 tight end on Tennessee’s depth chart and he could be a DFS sleeper in Week 1 with an intriguing matchup against the Broncos.

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6 fantasy football waiver wire targets in Week 1

Target these players on the waiver wire for Week 1.

Against all odds, the 2020 NFL season is finally here. Whether you completed your fantasy football draft two weeks ago or are waiting until right before Thursday night, fantasy football faces its most interesting season to date.

With opt-outs, trades and plenty of rising stars, this is a very talented pool of players to choose from.

If you’re looking for a possible sleeper or even a player to keep your eye on, here are some of the top pickups for the week one waiver wire:

*All roster percentages are courtesy of ESPN*

TE Jonnu Smith | Tennessee Titans | 22.9% rostered

With the emergence of Tennessee’s offense last year, a lot of players got a chance in the spotlight. One of those guys was Smith who recorded 35 catches for 439 yards and three touchdowns.

With A.J. Brown as the clear cut No. 1 receiver, Smith has a chance to be Ryan Tannehill’s second option. The tight end position has never been as loaded with talent as it is this year and Smith is definitely a guy to keep your eye on should you face any struggles at the position.

As Delanie Walker moves out of the spotlight in Nashville, Smith’s athleticism is extremely intriguing for those looking for an upside play.

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Mike Silver, NFC exec are hyped for Titans’ Jonnu Smith in 2020

NFL Network’s Mike Silver sees big things for Jonnu Smith in 2020.

It wasn’t all that long ago that tight end Delanie Walker was what made the offense go for the Tennessee Titans.

But those days are over with Walker now gone, and Jonnu Smith is taking his place as one of the team’s most important pass-catchers.

Things didn’t exactly go well for Smith when he was initially asked to start stepping up for Walker when the veteran was injured in 2018, but he’s really come into his own since then and became one of the most versatile and effective players the Titans currently have on the roster after 2019.

Michael Silver of NFL Network is just one of many who are high on Smith going into this season.

“2020 will be the season Jonnu Smith breaks out and becomes a bona fide star,” he said.

#Titans TE @Easymoney_81 may be the next big thing in the NFL 🔥

(H/T @MikeSilver) pic.twitter.com/Sq3niaX9gB

— NFL Analysis Network (@NFLAnalysisNet) August 26, 2020

Adding to that, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler revealed the high praise one unnamed NFL executive had for Smith.

“So well-rounded. He’s top five for me. He’s an every-down player,” an NFC exec said. “He can play 1,000 snaps at about six different positions. Has some work to do as a route runner, but he’ll get there.”

During the 2019 season, Smith was targeted 44 times and recorded 35 receptions for 439 yards and three touchdowns.

That solid season came after he suffered a torn ACL in 2018, which occurred during running back Derrick Henry’s 99-yard touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Smith will have his first chance of the year to make an impact when the Titans open the season on the road against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 14.

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Fantasy football best-ball gambles: Wagers of the week

A four-pack of fantasy football best-ball buys for the upcoming week.

Fantasy football best-ball drafts are a blast. My preferred league platforms for these drafts are RTSports.com and SportsHub’s “Best-Ball 10s” services. Neither company sponsored this article … I just like what they do in the space. Check ’em out, or look around the web to find competitors.

Let’s dive right into my four favorite gambles for this upcoming week’s drafting action:

QB Gardner Minshew, Jacksonville Jaguars: Not going in the top 25 quarterbacks, on average, Minshew is the perfect flier in best-ball drafts. He goes later than guys with way less upside (Kirk Cousins, Philip Rivers, Jimmy Garoppolo), and the second-year passer is had with picks later than 14:09, per ADP trends. The Jaguars have a capable receiving crew, led by 2019 breakout DJ Chark Jr., and the 2020 draft added Laviska Shenault Jr. Toss in stable veterans wideouts Chris Conley and Dede Westbrook, in addition to incoming tight end Tyler Eifert, this offense could be dangerous under Jay Gruden’s play-calling. As a No. 2 behind an elite starter, or (better yet) a third QB, Minshew is pure upside with essentially no risk to speak of.

RB Bryce Love, Washington Football Team: In this space a week ago, Love’s rookie backfield mate, Antonio Gibson, received a thumbs up. This time, Love is the late-round gamble worthy of attention. Why both? This backfield is that wide open. Love emerging is two-fold: Either Adrian Peterson has to finally fall off of the fantasy map, or Gibson doesn’t meet expectations as a rookie trying to feel his way through the pandemic. Ten games into his 2018 season, Love blew out his knee after rushing for 2,118 yards and 19 touchdowns the prior year, ultimately red-shirting as an NFL rookie in 2019. Gibson is more of a receiving threat than AD or Love, suggesting gamers are better off chancing it on Love and his nearly 14th-round ADP in hopes Father Time finally catches up to Peterson.

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WR Chris Hogan, New York Jets: Remember him? On the receiving end of a whopping 15 targets, leading to eight grabs, in 2019 with the Carolina Panthers, Hogan returns to the AFC East as a Jet. The New York passing game isn’t going to light it up, and Hogan won’t be the savior, but he’s a final-round flier in best-ball drafts. The Jets are starving for someone to step up after Jamison Crowder, and it’s tough to have any more confidence in rookie Denzel Mims and journeyman Breshad Perriman than the well-traveled Hogan. Perhaps the 32-year-old still has a few deep plays left in the old gas tank.

TE Jace Sternberger, Green Bay Packers: It’s a tad bit curious to see the player likeliest to see the second-most targets in this passing game go undrafted, on average. Fantasy owners may be concerned by his placement on the COVID-19 list, or enough people are holding out hope another player develops into a viable weapon behind Davante Adams. At any rate, the tight end position is prominently featured in this offense, and Sternberger has tremendous potential to fill the obvious void in the aerial attack. His fantasy football needle aimed due north.

Fantasy football best-ball drafts: 4 wagers to make this week

These four fantasy football best-ball gambles will pay off in the long run.

Fantasy football best-ball targets

Let’s dive right into my five favorite gambles for this upcoming week’s drafting action:

QB Drew Lock, Denver Broncos: Yes, he lost his starting right tackle to the opt-out, but that’s not as significant as it may seem. Lock still has an emerging WR1 in Courtland Sutton and one of the most polished rookies to come out in recent memory in Jerry Jeudy. While recommending rookies is usually a crapshoot, it is only amplified during the pandemic. Yet, slot receiver KJ Hamler also warrants a mention. His game-breaking speed creates mismatches vs. almost any NFL defender. It’s not hard to tell a rookie to “go” when we’re looking at a guy with world-class speed to burn. An improved backfield and a blossoming TE in Noah Fant make Lock a strong bet for a payoff as QB25 in the ADP charts.

RB Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team: The rookie has arguably the easiest positional transition from college to the NFL, and the release of Derrius Guice blows the door wide open for Gibson to have a massive role in the backfield. He’s a wide receiver turned running back, much like Ty Montgomery, so catching passes is likely to be the primary means of utilization as he finds his way through the early portion of the season. Adrian Peterson is poised to once again claim the obvious rushing action, although Gibson won’t go down without a fight. Plus, Peterson is ancient no stranger to injuries. Going in the middle of Round 9 for PPR drafters, the Memphis product is an intriguing risk-reward wager.

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TE Jonnu Smith, Tennessee Titans: Tight end Delanie Walker is no longer a concern for the first time in Smith’s pro career. The Titans’ system is friendly to the position, and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is a former tight ends coach as recently as 2018. It’s fair to say we’ve seen enough of wide receiver Corey Davis to trust he won’t suddenly emerge as a legitimate weapon, and Adam Humphries has exactly one season of productivity to his name, which came in an entirely different offense. The fourth-year Smith is poised to burst onto the season as the No. 2 target for Ryan Tannehill, and gamers are snoozing on Smith as a 14th-round fantasy draft pick. Don’t expect huge volume; rely on Smith’s explosive nature after the catch.

TE Blake Jarwin, Dallas Cowboys: Last year, coming out of retirement, a 400-year-old Jason Witten saw 83 targets in this offense. The ‘Boys feature one of the game’s best running backs and a pair of explosive receivers, but this offense is counting on a rookie in CeeDee Lamb to pick up the slack as the No. 3. In 2020, with the pandemic derailing all semblance of a conventional offseason program, how much do you really trust rookie wideouts, even the best of them? Jarwin is built for best-ball action. There probably won’t be 80 passes coming his way, yet it’s totally conceivable he pops off for a couple of multi-touchdown games or has at least one dynamite effort. He’s the 16th tight end drafted, on average, and that’s pure gravy for a TE2 target in an offense in which defenders can focus on only so many studs.

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Fantasy football best-ball drafts: 4 wagers to make this week

These four fantasy football best-ball gambles will pay off in the long run.

Let’s dive right into my five favorite gambles for this upcoming week’s drafting action:

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Titans’ Jonnu Smith says he’s up for the challenge of surpassing Delanie Walker

Jonnu Smith has big shoes to fill, but he’s up for the challenge.

With Delanie Walker no longer on the team, the Tennessee Titans will officially pass the torch at starting tight end in 2020 to Jonnu Smith, who had his best season a pro in 2019.

Smith totaled career-highs in receptions (35) and yards (439) in his third season, and tied his career-high in touchdowns (three) after seeing increased snaps following Walker being placed on season-ending IR after Week 7.

Not only is Smith entering a contract year, he’ll also be tasked with filling the shoes of Walker, who was the team’s best player and one of the faces of the franchise for much of the last decade.

During a Zoom call with the media on Monday, Smith said he’s up for that challenge (H/T Titans Film Room).

“Right now, I’m trying to surpass just filling the shoes that Delanie walked in. It’ll be a challenge to surpass a guy like Delanie, but I’m definitely up for that challenge. That’s just the player I am.”

The 24-year-old had a great teacher in Walker during his first three seasons in the NFL. Smith says the veteran helped him along and didn’t hold back.

Jonnu Smith on Delanie Walker: Said Delanie was an open book for him and he learned a lot from him and be a "fly on the wall."

— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) August 3, 2020

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Smith has put himself in a great position to have an even better season than he did in 2019. During the offseason, the former third-round pick has been working out with quarterback Ryan Tannehill regularly, which should help the pair’s chemistry and lead to more looks for Smith.

It’s possible the Titans extend Smith before the season starts, but an uncertain financial future for 2021 might deter the team from doing that. Should Tennessee decide not to extend him and Smith has a true breakout campaign in 2020, he could cash in big time on the open market next offseason.

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Titans’ TE group gets poor ranking by Pro Football Focus

Where does PFF rank the Titans’ tight ends?

The Tennessee Titans completely turned around their stagnant offense in Week 7 after a 2-4 start, which largely had to do with Ryan Tannehill replacing Marcus Mariota at quarterback.

The team made it all the way to the AFC Championship game in an unexpected run, with Tannehill and running back Derrick Henry getting a lot of the credit from the media for the team’s success.

But it’s going to take the team coming together at every position for the them to expand upon last year’s success, and that includes at tight end.

When Pro Football Focus’ Steve Palazzolo recently released his tight end room rankings for the entire NFL, the Titans sat at No. 22 overall.

He placed them ahead of the Atlanta Falcons and behind the Buffalo Bills. Here’s a look at what Palazzolo had to say about the group.

Jonnu Smith had a breakout year in 2019 with a 79.3 receiving grade and a second-ranked 8.1 yards after the catch per reception mark. He brought some stability to the position after Delanie Walker was limited to just six-plus games of action. Walker is gone, so Smith should take on an even bigger role, but he needs help from Anthony Firkser, who posted a solid 70.6 receiving grade last season.

Like Smith, Firkser is under 250 pounds and hasn’t been great as a run blocker, but they are both added pass-game weapons to take pressures off the receiving corps. MyCole Pruitt is also in the mix after catching 10 passes a year ago.

Palazzolo makes some fine points here despite the poor ranking.

The Titans have a lot of promise and potential in the tight end room, especially with Jonnu Smith, who posted a career year in 2019 and was one of the most explosive players at his position. In a contract year, Smith is primed to have a great campaign in 2020.

Anthony Firkser will serve as the primary backup pass-catching tight end behind Smith. While he didn’t get a lot of opportunities last season, he has shown flashes over two years in Nashville.

Further down on the depth chart is MyCole Pruitt, who isn’t really known as an offensive weapon but is among the best blocking tight ends in the NFL.

If anything, the Titans’ group should have been ranked higher thanks to its promise and versatility, however there’s a good chance Tennessee’s tight ends will make enough of a mark to earn a better ranking after the season.

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7 Tennessee Titans with the most to gain in 2020

Which Titans have the most to gain in 2020?

The Tennessee Titans will have big expectations going into the 2020 season after making it all the way to the AFC Championship in 2019, but on a smaller scale the team will have certain players with more to gain than others.

For the most part, the players who fall under that category are in a contract year and are trying to show they are worth big money in 2021 and beyond.

Here’s a look at seven Titans with the most to gain this coming season.

Corey Davis

After three years of lackluster production for a receiver who was taken with a top-five pick, there’s nowhere to go but up for Davis.

The Titans declined the Western Michigan product’s fifth-year option after his production took a step back in 2019 and he took a backseat to rookie standout, A.J. Brown

Davis is now in a contract year in 2020 and is auditioning for teams that will be in the market for a wide receiver in 2021. If Davis can have the breakout year we’ve all been waiting for, he could shed the bust label en route to securing a lucrative, long-term deal next offseason.

And he has a great chance to do so, with opposing defenses likely to focus on stopping Brown, which should open things up for Davis. Adding to that, quarterback Ryan Tannehill has talked about improving his chemistry with Davis, and if successful it could lead to a huge season for the wideout.

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