With the Tennessee Titans making moves over the first two weeks of free agency, things are starting to become a bit more clear at some positions. However, that is not the case for others.
Tennessee’s offense remains very much in flux, even with the additions of Andre Dillard and Daniel Brunskill.
As we pointed out in another article, the team has yet to address positions like wide receiver, left guard and tight end, with wide receiver needing at least one starter and multiple additions overall.
Knowing all that, and with free agency still going on and the NFL draft yet to happen, it’s hard to project Tennessee’s starting lineup for 2023 — but that’s never stopped me before.
Here’s my best guess as to what the Titans’ starting offense will look like going into the 2023 season after the moves the team has made in the first wave of free agency. We’ll cover the defense in the coming days.
Quarterback
QB: Ryan Tannehill
In my mind, the Titans’ options at quarterback are down to three: keep Ryan Tannehill for at least another year, make a blockbuster move to sign Lamar Jackson away from the Ravens (there’s been no indication that the Titans are in on Lamar), or draft a quarterback in the first round and roll with him.
Granted, the Titans could target a quarterback in the middle rounds, but I don’t think they’ll do that again after taking Malik Willis in the third last year.
I could see a scenario where the Titans take a quarterback in Round 1 and he sits behind Tannehill for a year, so don’t rule that out, either.
Running back
RB: Derrick Henry
There have been a lot of trade rumors and speculation surrounding Henry this offseason, but until I see him physically traded, I won’t believe it. Expect The King to reign in Nashville once again in 2023.
Wide receiver
WR1: Treylon Burks
WR2: Free agent or draft pick
WR3: Free agent or draft pick
Somehow, the Titans haven’t made a single move in free agency thus far at what is their biggest remaining need other than to bring back NWI, which doesn’t move the needle at all.
I know Titans fans are worried he’s going to have some kind of prominent role with this team once again after a disastrous 2022, but I don’t think that happens unless things go terribly wrong with injuries.
That said, NWI is currently in line as the No. 2 receiver by default because of how short the Titans are at that spot. Ultimately I think he falls down to No. 4 at most after the Titans add at least one veteran and one rookie in the draft.
Kyle Philips is obviously a possible starter in the slot, but I don’t think the Titans are married to him at all and he certainly won’t preclude them from signing or drafting a slot specialist if Tennessee falls in love with one.
Ideally, Tennessee needs to add more size and speed to this group.
In free agency, the best-remaining option is Odell Beckham Jr., but he’s not a realistic one. I also like lesser-known guys like Olamide Zaccheaus, Deandre Carter and Marquise Goodwin.
As far as the draft is concerned, I expect Tennessee to use at least one of their first three picks on a receiver.
Philips’ status as the primary slot guy will depend upon who the Titans bring in. If they fail to sign or trade for a significant free agent and/or don’t take a wide receiver early on who can play the slot, he’ll be the favorite.
However, if Tennessee brings in premium talent both in free agency and the draft and one or both of those guys can play inside, Philips could be on the outside looking in.
Tight end
TE: Chigoziem Okonkwo
It’s time for the Titans to get “Chiggy with it” (H/T Tyler “TicTacTitans” Rowland) and give their 2022 fourth-round pick the No. 1 role after he proved to be an explosive weapon during his rookie campaign.
Of course, Chig will have to improve as a blocker to fully lock down an every-down role, but I have confidence he will.
With that settled, the Titans need to add a few more tight ends to their roster, and at least one of those additions must be a good blocker. I wouldn’t rule out a middle-to-late-round selection at tight end, either.
Offensive line
LT: Andre Dillard
LG: Jamarco Jones
C: Aaron Brewer
RG: Daniel Brunskill
RT: Nicholas Petit-Frere
Aside from wide receiver, offensive line is the most unsolidified group on offense.
Tennessee signed Andre Dillard to presumably play left tackle, but I don’t think that means the Titans are totally out on a left tackle at No. 11 overall.
I would argue NPF isn’t safe after a lackluster rookie campaign and general manager change, and that’s especially true if Tennessee does land a tackle who is ready to start right away.
In that scenario, some combination of the rookie and Dillard could man the tackle spots, leaving NPF to either switch to guard or be left out in the cold entirely. Dillard also has the versatility to play guard, so a move inside for him is also possible.
Aaron Brewer figures to slot in at center after the Titans placed a second-round tender on him, but the 2020 UDFA is still available to receive offer sheets from other teams and can be poached away.
Adding to that, he simply wasn’t good as a starter in 2022, albeit at left guard, which isn’t his natural position.
Brunskill, who spent last season as a backup, is a solid player but I do think he’ll still have to compete for one of the guard spots. Regardless, he should be viewed as a favorite to start for the time being.
Of all the spots upfront, left guard is the most uncertain.
Brunskill is an option there, also, but says he’s more comfortable on the right side, and that’s where his starts came from in 2021.
A Day 2 or later pick of a guard is likely here (center is also possible), as is another free-agent addition, so there’s still room to muddy this situation even further.
Putting that aside for now, Jamarco Jones might be the favorite based on what’s on the roster currently.
Jones, who was expected to be cut but remains on the team, was competing for the left guard job in 2022 before his season was derailed due to injury. Vrabel was also very high on him, at least publicly.
Granted, I don’t endorse this move, but that’s just the reality of the situation with Dillon Radunz uncertain for the start of the season after suffering a torn ACL, and with Corey Levin still a free agent.
If Jones does enter the season as the starter, he’ll be vulnerable if he falters, as he could have Radunz (if recovered), Levin (if re-signed) and/or a draft pick waiting behind him.
