The season is coming. The DNA of Sports editorial team offers you an update on the strengths and weaknesses of the 32 franchises. Today, the Tennessee Titans 2024. You can find all the presentations by clicking on this link.
Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry, Mike Vrabel… In just a few weeks, Tennessee has parted ways with the three most important figures in its recent history, which saw it reach the conference final in 2019, but also and above all hit a glass ceiling. Too strong among the weak, too weak among the strong, the Titans have been stuck in football prosaism for too long.
A vicious cycle whose precedent general managerJon Robinson, paid the price at the end of the 2022 season, not helped by two disastrous decisions (AJ Brown, Isaiah Wilson) that tarnished an otherwise positive record. First act of the palace revolution. The second act was the hiring of Ran Carthon to succeed him, at the expense of Ryan Cowden, who had ensured the interim and was Mike Vrabel's favorite candidate.
Third and inevitable act, a calamitous season, dissensions between Vrabel and Carthon, the firing of the former and the promotion of the latter to the position of executive vice president this offseason. We will have known less chaotic reconstruction, but the Titans have indeed turned the page and are preparing to write a new one this year.
Last season: 6 wins, 11 losses, 4th in the AFC South
Off-season moves
Notable arrivals: Kenneth Murray (LB), Mason Rudolph (QB), Chidobe Awuzie (CB), Lloyd Cushenberry (C), Calvin Ridley (WR), Tony Pollard (RB), Saahdiq Charles (G), Sebastian Joseph-Day (DT), L'Jarius Sneed (CB), Leroy Watson (OT), Tyler Boyd (WR), Nick Vannett (TE), Jamal Adams (S), Quandre Diggs (S).
Resignations: Nick Folk (K), Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (WR), Jack Gibbens (LB), Marlon Davidson (DE), Morgan Cox (LS), Marlon Davidson (DT), Aaron Brewer (C), Corey Levin (G).
Draft: JC Latham (OT), T'Vondre Sweat (DT), Cedric Gray (LB), Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (CB), Jha'Quan Jackson (WR), James Williams (S/LB), Jaylen Harrell (LB).
Notable departures: Kristian Fulton (CB), Ryan Tannehill (QB), K'Von Wallace (S), Chris Hubbard (OT), Calvin Throckmorton (G), Terrell Edmunds (S), Kyle Peko (DT), Azeez Al-Shaair (LB ), Trevis Gipson (LB), Chris Moore (WR), Derrick Henry (RB), Sean Murphy-Bunting (CB), Denico Autry (DE), Andre Dillard (OT).
On the cusp of a hoped-for revival, the most notable arrivals aren't players, but a coaching staff led by Brian Callahan and his genius father, Bill. In their hands and those of new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, lies the development of players who will make and break the franchise's rebound, starting with the most important, sophomore quarterback Will Levis.
At this point, any question other than whether Levis has what it takes to be the Tennessee Titans' starting passer for the next decade is secondary. Everything from the investments on the offensive line to those on the receivers seems to have been thought out in that way by the athletic department, with one main goal: to know the potential of the No. 8 by the end of this season.
Tennessee Titans 2024 All-Star Team
Quarterback: Will Levis – Running back: Tony Pollard – Receivers: DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd – Tight end: Chigoziem Okonkwo – Offensive line (left to right): JC Latham, Peter Skoronski, Lloyd Cushenberry, Daniel Brunskill, Dillon Radunz.
Defensive Line: Sebastian Joseph-Day, T'Vondre Sweat, Jeffery Simmons – Linebackers: Harold Landry, Jack Gibbens, Kenneth Murray, Arden Key – Cornerbacks: Chidobe Awuzie, L'Jarius Sneed – Safeties: Jamal Adams, Queller Diggs.
Tennessee Titans' Strong Point(s): Receiver Group
Precisely, the group of receivers that the Titans will line up this year is quite remarkable. In the doldrums that was the 2023 season, DeAndre Hopkins has swum, posting another season with more than 1,000 receiving yards, in a context that was more than unfavorable. He will find at his side, Calvin Ridley, back in a role of receiver No. 2 which suits him much better than that of No. 1 in which he failed last year, in Jacksonville. And since the hierarchy would not be complete without a No. 3, welcome to Tyler Boyd who has excelled in this precise mission throughout his career.
So no, the trio is not as impressive as the Bears, Texans or even the Dolphins. Yes, building an offense around three receivers who will be over 30 this season can be questionable in the long term. But, with the arrival of Tony Pollard, still comfortable in the passing game, the promising tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo, promised more responsibilities, Treylon Burks, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Kyle Philips to complete the rotation, Will Levis will have a palette of very complementary receivers at his disposal.
Another strong point of the Titans, still in attack, the interior of the offensive line. In a fair and honest world, Rodri would be the favorite for the Ballon d'Or, Kendrick Lamar would have more commercial success than Drake and Peter Skoronski would have competed with CJ Stroud for the title of offensive rookie of the year. The world is unfair and dishonest, but Skoronski is a nugget. A big nugget. Daniel Brunskill, recruited in 2023 for two years and $5.5 million, is perhaps the most underpaid player in the league. With Lloyd Cushenberry at center, a technician of the position, it will take a lot of courage for opponents to come and apply pressure from the inside.
The Tennessee Titans' Weak Point(s): The Midfield of the Defense
Ran Carthon and the front office Tennessee's players are not lacking in audacity or determination. The latest proof of this is the recruitment of Quandre Diggs to strengthen the defensive midfield. The signing is late, in a free agency It couldn't be more strange for the safeties, but absolutely welcome as the need was glaring. So glaring that despite Diggs' qualities, the sector remains a weakness of the squad. He should find, in the starting 11, his former partner at the Seahawks, Jamal Adams. Enticing in theory, but in practice Adams has not played at a level above average (to be kind) for more than two years.
At linebacker, Kenneth Murray's signing is exactly like Diggs': a good player, guaranteed a starting spot, but who won't be able to change everything on his own. Behind him, the names of Jack Gibbens, Cedric Gray and Otis Reese IV are getting exactly the reaction they deserve right now: indifference. If it stays that way and doesn't turn into discontent, that will be a success. In a modern NFL, where throwing down the middle is all the rage, that's a tall order.
The entire defense, moreover, seems to lack stars, players who are among the references at their respective positions, to be truly competitive. Jeffery Simmons is a star. L'Jarius Sneed and Harold Landry are not far from being so. And that's it, as the other would say. Dennard Wilson has work on his plate.
The X Factor: Will Levis under pressure
We already mentioned it in the series Clash of Campthe Titans have really been doing everything for the past two years to improve their offensive line. While the interior now seems reliable, the tackle positions are still under construction, with a considerable investment during the draft: the selection of JC Latham in 7th position. With the arrivals of Lloyd Cushenberry, Saahdiq Charles, Leroy Watson and especially Bill Callahan to instruct all these great people, the intention is clear: to determine whether Will Levis' difficulties were more due to the putridity of his protection or to his inability to play under pressure.
The statistic that Tennessee's offensive line was 12th in pass protection puts the blame on Levis. But watching a handful of his snaps is enough to tell you that statistics can be misleading, and that the universe in which the Titans' offensive line was 12th in anything in 2023 is the same universe in which Patrick Mahomes wouldn't be considered the best player in the world by his peers. A totally imaginary universe, right? RIGHT?
The Titans are early in their rebuild and don't have immediate pressure to deliver results. But knowing what Will Levis is made of is an absolute must in a division with three other quarterbacks who, despite some question marks, are at the very top of the league's talent ladder.
Player to watch: T'Vondre Sweat
166 kg. One hundred and sixty-six kilograms. At combinedor after several days of diligent physical preparation. Ladies and gentlemen, this human being will approach 170 kg on the scale, if not this season, then certainly during his career. If seeing such a mountain move and shrivel up innocent runners doesn't make your mouth water, I confess I don't know why you follow this sport.
All kidding aside, T'Vondre Sweat is a player apart. Old school and unique. His size will prevent him from being lined up on every defensive play, but every defensive play he is lined up on will be scrutinized. Because his success or failure in the 2024 NFL will certainly influence scouts on the potential success or failure of players with similar body types in the 2025, 2026, etc. NFL.
And if Sweat is as good as he was in college, the only running backs with any chance of advancing against the Titans will have to have the muscle of Derrick Henry or the fleetness of Barry Sanders.
The 2024 Tennessee Titans schedule
@Bears, Jets, Packers, @Dolphins, Bye, Colts, @Bills, @Lions, Patriots, @Chargers, Vikings, @Texans, @Commanders, Jaguars, Bengals, @Colts, @Jaguars, Texans
The audio preview of the podcast
In summary
The first milestones were planted last year, but it is in 2024 that the Titans' reconstruction really begins. New coach, new leaders and Will Levis' first full season at the helm. This season, the time will be to evaluate the troops to know what elements to rely on in the years to come and the extent of the work. With a high-performing Levis, not suffering from comparison with the other quarterbacks in the division, an attack that lives up to the pedigree of its receivers and a defense that surprises everyone, we will then talk about a slight facelift.
If, on the other hand, Levis does not prove to be up to par, with the receivers aging and/or in the infirmary and the defense still below its 2023 level… Then everything will have to be started again, from the foundations. And Titans fans will have to wait several more years before tasting the final stages again. With the memories of Derrick Henry's rackets to console themselves.
