Offseason Rebuilds: Fixing the Tennessee Titans for 2024
The roar of the Nissan Stadium crowd has been replaced with a murmur of discontent. The Tennessee Titans, once a force to be reckoned with, find themselves at a crossroads. Injuries, inconsistency, and a lack of explosiveness have plagued their recent efforts. But fear not, loyal fans, for there’s a path back to glory. Here’s a blueprint for fixing the Titans and making them contenders in 2024.
The O-Line: A Foundation of Stone
The Titans’ Achilles’ heel has been the offensive line. Derrick Henry, the once unstoppable King, has been reduced to a human battering ram behind a flimsy shield. Beyond his fall in production, he most likely won’t be returning. The answer? Prioritize the trenches in both free agency and the draft.
Free Agency: Target established veterans, along the line to mature the room. He’d solidify the right side, allowing Dillon Radunz to compete at guard or tackle depth. Bringing in a veteran center, like Ryan Jensen, would solidify the middle and provide veteran leadership for a young group.
Draft: With the #7 overall pick, the Titans must seriously consider offensive tackle phenom, Joe Alt. This athletic giant would protect Will Levis blindside for years to come. A surefire long-term answer on the offensive line would obviously help with the transition to a more pass-heavy offense. The first 2 rounds should go to the OL and then use the rest of the draft to put talent around Will Levis to allow the team a real chance to evaluate him.
The Skill Positions: Adding Spark Plugs
Derrick Henry is a force, but he can’t do it all, and more than likely won’t be doing anything for Tennesse. The Titans need receiving threats to take the pressure off him and Will Levis, but then add some insurance in the backfield.
Free Agency: A veteran slot receiver like Tyler Boyd would be a savvy addition. His route-running prowess and ability to create separation would be invaluable. Exploring a deep tight end market for a receiving threat like Logan Thomas could also be a game-changer. (2024 free agent WR’s available).
Draft: While Alt might be the priority, a wide receiver like Malik Nabers could tempt the Titans in the first round. His route-running polish and YAC ability would be a perfect complement to Deandre Hopkins. Don’t forget a late-round flier on a speedster; a player like Jermain Burton could surprise.
Offensive Philosophy: Evolve or Become Extinct
The ground game has been the name of the game in Tennessee for a long time. With Callahan taking the reigns, you can expect that to change. This offense will look closer to what you see in Cincinnati.
- Play-action magic: Will Levis thrives on play-action. Design more rollouts and bootlegs to create easier throws and extend plays.
- Vertical shots: Don’t abandon the run, but incorporate vertical passing concepts to stretch defenses. Utilize Hopkins and a potential Treylon Burks redemption season downfield.
- Creativity for the run game: With Henry out the door, expect Spears to take most of the snaps in the backfield. That said, expect some offseason additions. New faces usually take time to gel in an offense, so we can look forward to some creative jet sweep type plays to get more players involved.
Coaching: A Fresh Look?
Brian Callahan is coming in looking to make big changes. The run game has been the focus for too long in Tennessee.
The Road Ahead: A Marathon, Not a Sprint
Fixing the Titans won’t happen overnight. It requires a multi-pronged approach, smart free agency signings, a strong draft, and a commitment to an evolving offensive philosophy. But with the right moves and a dedicated effort, the roar of the Nissan Stadium will return, louder than ever before. In my opinion, the defense was in good enough shape that I would just make the minimal amount of moves to sustain production this season so the full focus can be on evaluating Will Levis. If he doesn’t make the leap this season, Tennessee will most likely be back in the top 10 next year and have to make a decision in the QB room.
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