Titans’ offensive ‘building blocks’ ranked among worst in NFL

Bleacher Report recently ranked the Titans’ group of offensive building blocks among the worst in the NFL.

In a recent article ranking the offensive “building blocks” for each team in the NFL, the Tennessee Titans landed near the bottom of the list.

Per Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon, Tennessee’s offensive “building blocks” (defined as developing players at or under 25) were ranked No. 28.

Gagnon mentions quarterback Will Levis and left guard Peter Skoronski, but there is one glaring omissions from his write-up: running back Tyjae Spears.

28. Tennessee Titans: The focus here has to be on 24-year-old quarterback Will Levis, but there’s almost nobody else worth mentioning as they wait to see what 2023 first-round offensive tackle Peter Skoronski (22) has to offer.

Spears was sensational for the Titans in 2023, with the explosive young back tallying the fifth-most rushing yards and fourth-most scrimmage yards among first-year players at his position.

Adding to that, Spears was one of three backs in the NFL to post a PFF grade of 70 or better in rushing, receiving and pass-blocking, with the other two being Derrick Henry and Atlanta Falcons back, Tyler Allgeier. He also finished with the 18th-best overall grade at the position.

Making all that production even more impressive is the fact that the Titans had one of the worst offensive lines in the sport in 2023.

Spears, Levis and Skoronski all have more to prove, but there’s no question each has a positive trajectory going into 2024, which should leave the Titans higher on this list.

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Titans’ 2023 draft class ranked top 10 by CBS Sports

The Titans’ 2023 draft class was ranked as a top-10 group after a solid first season.

The Tennessee Titans had a rough season that ended with a 6-11 record and no playoffs, but the team did get some encouraging performances from its 2023 draft picks.

Tennessee’s first three picks in last year’s draft, left guard Peter Skoronski, quarterback Will Levis and running back Tyjae Spears, all made an impact, which was a far cry from some recent draft classes.

As a result of their performances, CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso ranked the Titans’ most recent draft class as the 10th-best in the NFL during the 2023 campaign.

Trapasso named Skoronski, Spears and Levis as the Year 1 hits from the group.

Skoronski lived up to the expectations as a reliable interior blocker making the switch from tackle to guard in the NFL. Levis’ flashes were outstanding just few and far between and Spears proved to be the running back of the future as a versatile, elusive weapon out of the backfield. 

Skoronski had his growing pains, especially after having to overcome an appendectomy, but he was solid overall and finished the season strong. He’s the only O-line starter from 2023 who is locked into a starting job in 2024.

Because of the importance of his position, Levis has ignited excitement for the future of the franchise after showing he’s capable of making all of the throws.

He’s definitely got work to do to take that next step, but some of his issues can be attributed to the lackluster situation around him with a terrible O-line and a receiving corps. that struggled to get open. We’ll have a much better idea of where he stands once those issues are shored up.

Last but not least, Spears was the most consistent of the trio and has the goods to be an electric playmaker. He also checked the pass protection box, which is important for him in order to see third-down snaps. Spears should lead Tennessee’s backfield in 2024.

Tennessee didn’t get much out of their last three picks, but two of them did play sparingly, making it tough to properly evaluate, so there is hope for them yet.

Offensive tackle Jaelyn Duncan got the most run and struggled but was also thrown into a role he wasn’t ready for. Tight end Josh Whyle showed some flashes as a pass-catcher and blocker but didn’t get much playing time, and Colton Dowell only saw 51 snaps on offense, with the majority of his playing time coming on special teams. He also suffered a season-ending injury.

The Titans are facing a rebuild this offseason but have a great foundation to get going with Skoronski, Levis and Spears in the mix.

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Titans tied for most O-linemen drafted in Rounds 1-3 since 2019

The Titans are tied for the most offensive line picks in the first three rounds of drafts since 2019.

Only two teams in the NFL have drafted as many offensive lineman in the first three rounds of drafts as the Tennessee Titans have since 2019.

Ian Hartitz of Fantasy Life crunched the numbers and they show the Titans have taken a total of five offensive lineman from Rounds 1 to 3 over the previous five drafts.

That’s tied for the most in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants.

That’s significant because, despite the high number, the Titans have sported one of the worst offensive lines in the league for three years running.

Tennessee gave up 47 sacks in 2021 (seventh-most), 49 in 2022 (tied fifth-most) and 64 in 2023 (tied fourth-most). The Titans also gave up 56 sacks in 2019, the third-most in the league.

The five linemen Tennessee has drafted in the first three rounds in that span are Nate Davis (2019), Isaiah Wilson (2020), Dillon Radunz (2021), Nicholas Petit-Frere (2022) and Peter Skoronski (2023). Of course, Davis and Wilson are no longer with the team.

Davis was OK over his four years in Nashville but dealt with injury issues and it’s safe to say he didn’t pan exactly how Tennessee had hoped, and Wilson was one of the worst draft picks in NFL history.

After two rocky years that included a torn ACL in 2022, Radunz finally started showing he may be a starting-caliber player in his third season following a strong finish.

NPF had an up-and-down rookie season in 2022 before losing his starting job in 2023 following a gambling suspension, and then he suffered a season-ending injury after struggling in his limited opportunities.

Skoronski had his issues during his rookie campaign but it was a solid season nonetheless. It’s important to note that the Northwestern product was learning a new position and had to overcome an appendectomy that sapped his weight and strength. He managed to finish the season strong, though.

Former general manager Jon Robinson was an absolute disaster in the draft after an incredible 2019 class, but his misses along the offensive line were easily the most glaring.

There is still time, however, for NPF and Radunz to prove Robinson right.

Current general manager Ran Carthon looks to have hit on his first offensive line pick in the first three rounds (Skoronski) and there’s a chance he’ll get another crack at it this year with the Titans set to rebuild their offensive line.

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Titans offseason preview at IOL: Pending free agents, biggest needs

In our latest offseason preview for the Titans, we take a look at the situation on the interior of the offensive line.

The Tennessee Titans are set to rebuild their offensive line in 2024 after what was a terrible year for the group upfront in 2023.

However, the interior of the offensive line is in better shape than the tackle spots, with left guard being locked down by 2023 first-round pick, Peter Skoronski, who will return to his spot in his second season.

Right guard may also be spoken for after Daniel Brunskill proved to be a solid option there when healthy, but he doesn’t figure to be a lock.

Center remains the biggest question mark on the interior, with Aaron Brewer set to be a free agent following a season in which he was serviceable, at best.

Now, a look at Tennessee’s interior offensive linemen who are under contract and pending free agents, and what the team’s biggest needs are on the inside going into the 2024 offseason.

Draft analyst explains why 2024 is a good year to rebuild O-line

With the Titans set to rebuild their offensive line, one analyst says this is the perfect year to do so through the draft.

It’s no secret that the Tennessee Titans’ offensive line struggled mightily in the 2023 season.

Titans quarterbacks were sacked 64 times, which was 15 more than the year prior and tied for the fourth-most in the NFL. Only the Carolina Panthers (65), Washington Commanders (65), and New York Giants (85) allowed more.

Added, the Titans allowed the second-highest sack rate (11.5%) in the league, with the Giants (14.1%) being the only team to sport a worse mark.

After the regular season’s conclusion, Pro Football Network ranked the Titans’ offensive line dead-last in the league, noting Andre Dillard’s first season in Nashville being a significant letdown after signing a lucrative three-year, $29 million contract in the offseason.

According to Pro Football Focus, the former Philadelphia Eagle was responsible for 12 sacks allowed.

It certainly did not help that the Titans were rotating Dillard and rookie tackle Jaelyn Duncan, providing no consistency for anyone. Still, both players left a lot to be desired.

Peter Skoronski, the 11th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, was perhaps the lone bright spot along the Titans’ offensive line, but there is no question that the position needs to be addressed this offseason.

Thankfully, the Titans hold the No. 7 overall pick in this year’s draft, where they should have a plethora of options to grab a player they can plug in immediately.

While not an ideal position to be in, the Titans find themselves in the perfect year to be rebuilding their offensive line through the draft, as NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah believes this year provides plenty of options throughout the draft for Tennessee to advance its rebuild.

If picks one through six are filled out by offensive skill players, Tennessee could have their crack at Notre Dame’s Joe Alt, arguably the best offensive tackle prospect in the entire draft. 

Alt played in 12 games for the Irish last season, allowing just one sack and two quarterback hurries, according to PFF. The junior was given a 90.7 grade for his 2023 season. Alt played all three years at Notre Dame at the left tackle position, allowing just four sacks during that stretch.

Other options that the Titans can consider with the No. 7 overall pick should Alt be taken by one of the teams within the top six:

  • Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
  • Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
  • Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

Should the Titans wish to address the guard position in the second round with the 38th overall pick, some names to keep close tabs on include:

  • Graham Barton, G, Duke
  • Cooper Beebe, G, Kansas State
  • Kingsley Suamataia, G, BYU

And, if this draft is as deep at offensive line as Jeremiah states, Tennessee might be able to find some gems after their first two picks, although they’re lacking a third-round selection.

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Grades for Titans’ 2023 draft picks after first season

With their first season in the books, we’re grading the performance of each Titans 2023 draft pick.

The Tennessee Titans made a total of six picks in the 2023 NFL draft in what was the first for Ran Carthon as general manager.

Tennessee started off the draft by taking Peter Skoronski, who settled in at left guard. The Titans then drafted quarterback Will Levis, running back Tyjae Spears, tight end Josh Whyle, offensive tackle Jaelyn Duncan and wide receiver Colton Dowell.

While those players had varying degrees of success, the overwhelming thought is that it was a successful first year for the draft class as a whole, which has led to plenty of praise for Carthon.

But as you’ll see in our grades for each draft pick following the 2023 season, that was largely a result of the performances of the top half of the class.

Titans’ Peter Skoronski makes PFF’s 2023 All-Rookie Team

Titans LG Peter Skoronski made the cut on PFF’s “2023 All-Rookie Team.”

The Tennessee Titans have had their fair share of swings and misses on draft picks of offensive linemen in recent years, but they appear to have finally hit on one with left guard Peter Skoronski.

Pro Football Focus recently put together its “2023 All-Rookie Team” and the Titans left guard made the cut. Here’s what PFF’s Dalton Wasserman had to say about the Northwestern product:

Skoronski’s transition to guard certainly had some hiccups, including early-season injuries, but he showed enough in pass protection to be considered a foundational piece for Tennessee’s offensive line.

Among Skoronski’s highlights are two consecutive games, in Week 11 and 12, in which he posted an 85-plus PFF pass-blocking grade. He also committed just one penalty all season.

Skoronski ended up surrendering five sacks and 32 pressures during his first season, with four of those sacks and 12 of those pressures coming from what was undoubtedly his worst stretch of the campaign from Weeks 14-17.

However, if you take out that four-game stretch, Skoronski gave up one sack and 20 pressures in his other 10 games. Adding to that, the 22-year-old passed the eye test on several occasions.

Context is important and is needed in the case of the Titans rookie.

Not only did Skoronski have to learn a new position and recover from an appendectomy that sapped his strength and made him lose weight, he was also lining up next to the worst left tackle in the sport and a center who routinely proved to be subpar in pass protection.

I also wonder if Skoronski simply hit a wall during the aforementioned rough patch. After all, the 14 games he played in this season were two more than he ever saw during his college days.

Skoronski finished the season very strong in Week 18 with what was one of his best performances of the year in a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

With more experience under his belt and a better situation around him, I fully expect a stellar sophomore campaign from Skoronski, who is the only 2023 starter locked-in for 2024.

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Titans GM explains why Peter Skoronski didn’t get a shot at LT

The Titans are not ruling out giving Peter Skoronski a look at left tackle in 2024, but the long-term goal was always to have him stay at guard.

One of the most perplexing things from the Tennessee Titans’ 2023 season was the team not giving No. 11 overall pick Peter Skoronski a look at left tackle.

After all, Skoronski was a great left tackle in college and it was worth giving him a shot there with all the issues Tennessee had at the position after the failures of Andre Dillard, Jaelyn Duncan and Dillon Radunz there.

However, as was talked about ad nauseam all season, Skoronski’s lack of length was one reason behind the decision to keep him at left guard, as general manager Ran Carthon explained on Tuesday.

In addition to that concern, Carthon said the team felt it was best to keep the rookie at one position because of the fear it would hamper his development at a new spot (left guard). Also, Carthon mentioned cohesion as another reason, saying it was easier to “replace one guy versus two.”

Potentially moving Skoronski was talked about, though.

“The goal for Peter was to be the left guard and moving him from a new position to a position that he hadn’t practiced, I don’t think was advantageous in his development, in his growth because he was learning a new position,” Carthon said, per Paul Kuharsky. “Yes, he came in, he was an All-American left tackle in college but — and we talked about this with Peter the other day — at this league, there are bigger, longer players and the length presents a problem now.”

“We discussed it, but moving Peter to left tackle, we’d have to put somebody at left guard and now we’re going back to that part about the cohesion,” he added. “It was easier to replace one guy versus two.”

While Carthon didn’t rule out Skoronski playing left tackle in 2024, it sounds like the goal all along has been to keep the Northwestern product at guard.

“Moving forward now, who knows, we may give Peter a look,” he said. “Peter is a player that I would never bet against to say that he couldn’t do something or he couldn’t play. But we thought at the time when we drafted him that we could put Peter at guard and he would be a mainstay.”

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5 Titans players who could cause problems for the Jaguars in Week 18

Will Sunday be the last time the Jaguars have to deal with a Derrick Henry-led Titans squad?

After nearly a full month of losses, the Jacksonville Jaguars finally got back in the win column in Week 17. And if things go as planned, they’d add one final win when they travel to Nashville this week.

Jacksonville and Tennessee already played once this season in Week 11, and the Titans never stood a chance. But Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel and his team never go down without a fight.

The Titans would surely love to hand the Jaguars a season-ruining loss in the final week of the regular season, and Vrabel will likely have his players ready to play Sunday.

Here are five Titans players who could cause problems for the Jaguars in Week 18:

Stock up, stock down for Titans going into Week 16

Shaun Calderon lists the Titans players and coaches who either hurt or helped their stock the most in Week 15.

The Tennessee Titans lost a disappointing overtime contest to a division rival for the second time in three weeks after dropping their Week 15 game against the Houston Texans, 19-16.

Tennessee has now lost seven straight division games dating back to last season, secured its second-straight losing season and is now officially eliminated from playoff contention with a 5-9 record.

The good news is, the Titans only have three games remaining before they can shift their focus on trying to rebuild this team back to relevancy in what will be one of the most crucial offseasons in franchise history.

As you can imagine, there were several viable candidates for this week’s stock report, especially when it comes to those who lowered their stock.

However, I decided to focus on the two who I feel lowered their stock the most. I also decided not to include Derrick Henry since he was in last week’s article, even though he certainly lowered his stock even more following his nine-yard performance.

On the contrary, there were a few players who raised their stock despite the loss. So, let’s find out who fell into which category ahead of a Week 16 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Christmas Eve.