Roster Changes

 

Key additions

QB Ryan Tannehill, WR Adam Humphries, G Rodger Saffold, DE Brent Urban, OLB Cameron Wake

 

Key losses

QB Blaine Gabbert, TE Luke Stocker, G Quinton Spain, G Josh Kline, DT Bennie Logan, OLB Brian Orakpo, OLB Derrick Morgan, ILB Will Compton, S Johnathan Cyprien, S Kendrick Lewis

 

2019 draft class

DL Jeffery Simmons (1.19), WR A.J. Brown (2.51), G Nate Davis (3.82), S Amani Hooker (4.116), OLB D’Andre Walker (5.168), ILB David Long Jr. (6.188)

 

Projected Starters

 

Offense

QB: Marcus Mariota
RB: Derrick Henry
WR: Corey Davis
WR: Adam Humphries
WR: A.J. Brown
TE: Delanie Walker
LT: Taylor Lewan
LG: Rodger Saffold
C: Ben Jones
RG: Nate Davis
RT: Jack Conklin

 

Defense

DT: Jurrell Casey
DT: DaQuan Jones
OLB: Cameron Wake
ILB: Rashaan Evans
ILB: Wesley Woodyard
OLB: Harold Landry
CB: Adoree’ Jackson
CB: Malcolm Butler
CB: Logan Ryan
S: Kevin Byard
S: Kenny Vaccaro

 

Team Outlook

 

Notable depth

QB Ryan Tannehill, RB Dion Lewis, RB David Fluellen, WR Taywan Taylor, WR Tajae Sharpe, WR Darius Jennings, TE Jonnu Smith, TE MyCole Pruitt, OT Dennis Kelly, G Kevin Pamphile, DL Austin Johnson, DL Jeffery Simmons, DL Brent Urban, DL Matt Dickerson, OLB Kamalei Correa, OLB D’Andre Walker, ILB Jayon Brown, ILB David Long Jr., ILB Daren Bates, CB LeShaun Sims, S Amani Hooker, S Dane Cruikshank

 

Biggest strength: Running back

I will never understand how it took Mike Vrabel and his coaching staff three months to realize how much of a monster Derrick Henry is, as when they fed him in December, it resulted in one of the best months of all-time for a running back. New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has said the former Heisman winner will be featured from the get-go this year, and Tennessee will hope Henry can carry them to a division title in the competitive AFC South.

 

Biggest weakness: Tight end

The Titans are strong pretty much everywhere, but tight ends Delanie Walker (ankle) and Jonnu Smith (knee) are coming off season-ending injuries, so they might not even be in top form come September. Plus, Walker turns 35 in August, while Smith—despite some flashes in 2018—hasn’t established himself as the clear future at the position. We’ll see if the revamped receiving corps with Adam Humphries and A.J. Brown can take the pressure off the tight ends.

 

Position battle to watch: Right guard

There will be two new starting guards in Tennessee this year after the team allowed Quinton Spain and Josh Kline to walk in free agency, but general manager Jon Robinson clearly feels they upgraded by signing Rodger Saffold to a four-year, $44-million deal to slot between Taylor Lewan and Ben Jones. In a competition at right guard, I think third-round pick Nate Davis (who might remind the team of Spain) will be able to beat out Kevin Pamphile.

 

One more thought

Marcus Mariota has played really good football with an average-to-below-average supporting cast so far in his career, but Tennessee seems to have finally pieced everything together around him by signing Adam Humphries and drafting A.J. Brown, which should hopefully unload the box for Derrick Henry and take the pressure off Corey Davis. If Henry eventually signs a contract extension and Davis lives up to his billing as a former top-five pick, the Titans should have their offensive core set for the next five years.

 

Early over/under: 8 wins (via CBS Sports)

Over. The Titans went 9-7 last season, and that was with Marcus Mariota missing two games, including the Week 17 loss with a playoff spot on the line. I think the roster looks stronger in Year 2 under Mike Vrabel, so it will be up to the coaches to get the most out of it and take the next step.