It is fair to say that 2022 was a disappointing season for the Titans. Just a year after earning the first seed in the AFC they fell off sharply, slumping to a 7-10 finish, with seven straight losses to finish the season. This marked their first losing season under Mike Vrabel and their first since 2015. The offense in particular was a problem, surpassing 20 points just twice after Week 5.
Roster changes
2023 feels like a transitional season for the Titans, and their offseason moves confirm that. They made a handful of moves in free agency, although left tackle Andre Dillard and edge rusher Arden Key were their only additions set to earn more than $5 million APY. Amongst their other additions were former Buccaneers’ cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting and 49ers linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.
There were a few noteworthy departures too. Chief amongst these was linebacker David Long, who was a key part of their defensive success in 2022. Wide receiver Robert Woods left to join divisional rivals Houston after just one season in Tennessee. They also saw two starters along the offensive line depart. Starting left tackle Dennis Daley left for Arizona, with guard Nate Davis landing in Chicago.
Coaching situation
The sense that this is a transitional season can also be seen in the amount of changes that the Titans have made to their coaching staff. Tim Kelly will take over from Todd Downing as offensive coordinator. Kelly spent last year as the passing game coordinator and had previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Texans from 2019-21.
The team also hired Charles London from Atlanta to be their pass game coordinator and Charles Harris from Washington to be their defensive pass game coordinator. The other move of note is former assistant Jason Houghtaling taking over as offensive line coach.
2023 NFL Draft
| Pick | Player |
| 1.11 | Peter Skoronski – OT, Northwestern |
| 2.33 | Will Levis – QB, Kentucky |
| 3.81 | Tyjae Spears – RB, Tulane |
| 5.147 | Josh Whyle – TE, Cincinnati |
| 6.186 | Jaelyn Duncan – OT, Maryland |
| 7.228 | Colton Dowell – WR, Tennessee-Martin |
The Titans entered the draft as one of the weakest looking rosters in the NFL and desperately needed to add talent wherever they could find it. Whilst they only had six picks, they managed to do just that. Peter Skoronski should be an impact starter out of the gate and looks set to move inside to guard. The decision to trade up for Will Levis was certainly a point of debate, but if he becomes their quarterback of the future it will have been a worthwhile gamble.
Offense
The Titans might have the most predictable offense heading into the 2023 NFL season. If Derrick Henry can remain healthy they will no doubt rest their hopes on the former Offensive Player of the Year. Henry has been the focal point of this team in recent seasons and has amassed over 600 more rushing yards since 2020 than any other player in the NFL. There is however some concern about Henry’s longevity, as he will turn 30 during the season.
Dig a little deeper elsewhere on the offense and question marks are everywhere. Even with the acquisition of DeAndre Hopkins there are concerns about the quality of this receiving corps. Quarterback is also now a worry, with Ryan Tannehill taking a noticeable step back in 2022. Will Levis is waiting in the wings, but you only need to take one look at his college tape to see this is not a player ready for NFL action just yet.
By far the biggest worry is the offensive line though. This was often a liability last season and it looks like it could be even worse in 2023. As things stand, their starting tackle duo is Andre Dillard and Daniel Brunskill. Dillard has started just nine games in his NFL career, whilst Brunskill is a guard who has played just 36 snaps at tackle in the last three years. That’s before even talking about an interior that has a rookie and a career backup slated to start.
Defense
The Titans’ ability to win games this year hinges on their formidable defensive unit. This group’s success is rooted in their dominant performance along the trenches, spearheaded by Jeffery Simmons. The Titans’ decision to extend Simmons was easily the best move they made during the offseason. He played a pivotal role in the Titans becoming the best run defense in the NFL last season, leading the league in adjusted line yards by a wide margin.
They also boast the perenially underrated Denico Autry, who led the team with 54 pressures in 2022. The most exciting news however is the return of star edge rusher Harold Landry, who missed last season with a torn ACL. When we last saw him in 2021, he led the team with 64 pressures, including 14 sacks. His return is huge for this pass rush.
The Titans also have a very talented safety duo in Kevin Byard and Malik Hooker. That said, there is some concern at cornerback. Roger McCreary looked rough as a rookie, with his seven touchdowns allowed ranking second in the NFL. Kristian Fulton was also pretty up-and-down, giving up five touchdowns and a passer rating of 102.3. They did add Sean Murphy-Bunting, but he is best suited to the slot role that is already taken by McCreary. Former first round pick Caleb Farley is still on the roster, but his inability to stay healthy continues to be a problem.
Prediction
The Titans feel like a team in a transitional year and it is difficult to see them winning the AFC South. Mike Vrabel raises their floor and their defense is good enough to keep them in games, but in a tough AFC it feels like even a wildcard spot is unlikely. If the season does not go as planned then they may be sellers at the deadline.
