The Titans made a curious decision to move on from Mike Vrabel, but the team will now be fully molded in the image of general Ran Carthon and new head coach Brian Callahan. If you like the analysis here, consider signing up for our free newsletter to get can’t-miss NFL news and insights straight to your inbox every week.
- 2023 finish: 6-11 (last in AFC South); missed playoffs
- Over/under: 6.5 wins
Notable additions
QB Mason Rudolph, RB Tony Pollard, WR Calvin Ridley, WR Tyler Boyd, TE Nick Vannett, OT Leroy Watson, OT Geron Christian, C Lloyd Cushenberry III, DL Sebastian Joseph-Day, DL Marlon Davidson, OLB Shane Ray, LB Kenneth Murray, CB L’Jarius Sneed, CB Chidobe Awuzie, S Quandre Diggs, S Jamal Adams, HC Brian Callahan, OC Nick Holz, DC Dennard Wilson
Notable losses
QB Ryan Tannehill, RB Derrick Henry, WR Chris Moore, TE Trevon Wesco, TE Kevin Rader, OT Andre Dillard, OL Chris Hubbard, OL Calvin Throckmorton, OL Xavier Newman-Johnson, C Aaron Brewer, DL Denico Autry, DL Jaleel Johnson, DL Kyle Peko, DL Ross Blacklock, DL Quinton Bohanna, DL Naquan Jones, OLB Trevis Gipson, LB Azeez Al-Shaair, LB Tae Crowder, LB Monty Rice, CB Kristian Fulton, CB Sean Murphy-Bunting, CB Kendall Sheffield, DB Dane Cruikshank, S Terrell Edmunds, S K’Von Wallace, HC Mike Vrabel, OC Tim Kelly, DC Shane Bowen
2024 draft class
OT JC Latham (1.07), DL T’Vondre Sweat (2.38), LB Cedric Gray (4.106), CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (5.146), WR Jha’Quan Jackson (6.182), LB James Williams (7.242), OLB Jaylen Harrell (7.252)
Projected starters
QB: Will Levis
RB: Tony Pollard
WR: Calvin Ridley
WR: DeAndre Hopkins
WR: Tyler Boyd
TE: Chigoziem Okonkwo
LT: JC Latham (R)
LG: Peter Skoronski
C: Lloyd Cushenberry III
RG: Dillon Radunz
RT: Nicholas Petit-Frere
DL: Jeffery Simmons
DL: T’Vondre Sweat (R)
OLB: Harold Landry III
ILB: Kenneth Murray
ILB: Jack Gibbens
OLB: Arden Key
CB: L’Jarius Sneed
FS: Amani Hooker
SS: Quandre Diggs
SCB: Roger McCreary
CB: Chidobe Awuzie
2024 outlook
The Titans could never quite hit on the quarterback during the Vrabel era to keep them from being a top-level contender, but Derrick Henry made them a threat to give anyone a battle—especially with Vrabel always maximizing the Tennessee defense no matter how many injuries they dealt with (sometimes, the run defense was even more stout when key players were out). A similar mentality might remain with Ran Carthon now controlling the roster, and the first two draft picks this year—342-pound JC Latham and 366-pound T’Vondre Sweat—are an indication that they want to emphasize power and winning in the trenches.
Overall, though, the direction of the franchise certainly isn’t a rebuild, as they signed a soon-to-be 30-year-old Calvin Ridley to a four-year deal, kept DeAndre Hopkins entering his age-32 campaign, acquired L’Jarius Sneed for two draft picks, and signed a bunch of veterans. That means a lot hinges on Will Levis being a hit at quarterback, and the pieces are in place for him to have success. Plus, confidence is a big thing, and the franchise believing in Levis is an underrated factor. I’d just like to see him use his legs more to make up for some of the potential issues as a passer.
Defensively, it’ll be interesting to see how the unit performs without Vrabel there, but the cornerbacks are a clear strength with Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie joining Roger McCreary, and the duo up front of Jeffery Simmons and Sweat should be great. Plus, former first-round linebacker Kenneth Murray was a strong addition in free agency, so despite one of the lowest projected win totals in the league, the major roster turnover was done to immediately contend. If they don’t, I’d say it speaks to how good of a coach Vrabel is more than anything else.
Position battle to watch: Running back
This isn’t a huge deal because Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears will both play, and the first week of the preseason gave us a look at the split with them rotating as quickly as every other play. The real battle is trying to come close to providing the value that Derrick Henry did, and struggles in 2024 will only cause the decision to move on from an all-time great to be questioned—especially if he’s still running through opponents in Baltimore.
Breakout candidate: CB Roger McCreary
McCreary is set to kick into the slot with Sneed and Awuzie brought in this offseason, but it’ll be a clean transition with stickiness and competitiveness shown playing anywhere since his days at Auburn. All three rivals in the AFC South improved their wide receiver rooms via either veteran additions (like Stefon Diggs) or the draft, so McCreary fully emerging as an impact player would be key for them to hold opposing passing attacks in check.
Circle on the calendar: Week 4 (@ MIA) | Monday, September 30 – 7:30 PM ET
Again, the Titans didn’t have a rebuilding type of offseason, and the September schedule is very difficult (@ CHI, v NYJ, V GB, @ MIA). If they face an 0-4 start and Will Levis is struggling, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mason Rudolph get a shot under center after the former Oklahoma State star led Pittsburgh to the postseason in 2023. That said, Levis had his best game as a rookie in a comeback win over the Dolphins last December, so it could also be a statement game for him and Tennessee.
Bottom line
The Titans are projected to finish last in the AFC South, but that doesn’t match the internal expectations for a team that will be more pass happy and more focused on stopping the pass in 2024. Will Levis and his development will swing the outlook for Tennessee one way or another.