Coaching
After going 9-7 each season from 2016 to 2019, the Titans pushed their record to 11-5 with an AFC South title. Mike Vrabel went 29-14 in his first three years as head coach while reaching the postseason in back-to-back seasons. All seven years of his coaching experience in the NFL came on the defense side of the ball. Vrabel played in the league for 14 seasons at linebacker. His ties to New England and three Super Bowl titles were a big part of his path to a head coaching job.
Tennessee jumped to fourth in points scored (491) and second in yards gained. They scored 89 more points than in 2019. It was a breakthrough season offensively. The Titans finished with their best production since the early 1990s, back when Warren Moon was leading the show.
Todd Downing takes over as the offensive coordinator after working as Tennessee’s tight end coach in 2019 and 2020. He’s been a coach in the NFL since 2005. He led the Raiders’ offense for one season in 2017.
The Titans promoted Shane Bowen to run the defense, which came a year after not having a defensive coordinator. Over the last three seasons, he worked as a linebacker coach for Tennessee. Bowen has five seasons of coaching experience in the pros at the age of 34.
The defensive side of the ball declined for the second straight season. The Titans allowed the ninth-highest number of points (439 – 108 more than 2019) while finishing 28th in yards allowed.
Free Agency
Tennessee lost two key players (WR Corey Davis and TE Jonnu Smith) off their offense and two starters (CB Desmond King and DE Jadeveon Clowney).
Davis showed more explosiveness and consistency last year after struggling to fulfill his expected value after getting drafted in the first round in 2017. He set career highs in receiving yards (984) and touchdowns (5) while matching his 2018 season in catches (65). Davis posted four impact games (7/101, 8/128/1, 11/182/1, and 4/110/1). He missed two games with a COVID-19 issue.
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Smith has improved upon his stats every season. He set career bests in catches (41), yards (448), and touchdowns (8) despite receiving only 65 targets. His season started with 18 catches for 221 and five touchdowns over four games, but Smith failed to score over 12.00 fantasy points over his last 12 games (including the playoffs). He gained over 35 yards in one contest over this span.
King added value to the run defense with some success blitzing the quarterback. When at his best over his first three seasons with the Chargers, King made 189 tackles with 6.5 sacks, 17 defended passes, and four interceptions.
Clowney continues to underachieve in the pass rush (32 sacks in 83 career games) while making his fourth franchise change since 2018. Over the last two seasons, he missed 13 starts. His game does play well in run support.
The Titans added DE Bud Dupree and WR Josh Reynolds in the offseason.
Dupree missed five games last season due to a torn ACL in his left knee. He delivered 19.5 sacks over his previous 27 games while being a liability in most seasons in run support. He continues to miss too many tackles.
Reynolds worked as the third wide receiver for the Rams over the last four seasons. His catch rate (50.8) over his first three seasons. Last year, Los Angeles gave him more chances close to the line of scrimmage, leading to a bump in his overall production (52/618/2).
The only other player of value lost was DT DaQuan Jones, who signed with the Panthers. His play worked well against the run over the past two seasons while offering minimal sacks (eight over his last 92 games).
Draft
CB Caleb Farley
Farley brings a press coverage skill set to the Titans with speed to cover his receivers over the long field. He is a former quarterback with limited experience playing at cornerback. His success at college came from his physical talents, but Farley can’t push higher without improving his technique and his feel for play development in tight quarters. With first-round pedigree, he has a boom or bust feel.
LB Monty Rice
Rice has a do you job mentality with excellent timing and feel for his responsibilities against the run. His vision is a significant plus, which offset his lack of impact speed. Rice should be a productive player at the next level on early downs.
CB Elijah Molden
Molden has the foundation skill set to be a top cornerback, but his only missing trait is his overall speed. He plays with vision and excellent cover skills, and the ability to support the run. Molden should excel over the short areas of the field and in the red zone. His lack of size (5’9” and 192 lbs.) is a concern, and top wide receivers with speed will test him in deep coverage.
T Dillon Radunz
His game should bolster Tennessee's quick-hitting run game where his first step and power play well. His range looks limited, putting him at risk when facing pass rushers outside his frame. Radunz projects better at guard than at tackle.
WR Dez Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick gives Tennessee a wideout who will test a defense deep with jump ball ability in the end zone, but his release and hands limit his explosiveness. His lack of quickness and route-running point to minimal value over the short areas of the field. Fitzpatrick won’t create in the open field and make good reads on option routes.
WR Racey McMath
McMath needs to clean up his release and route running to take advantage of his plus speed. His hands and ability to catch in tight quarters look to be assets. He’ll struggle with press coverage while owning a limited flight plan. McMath does project well on special teams.
DE Rashad Weaver
Weaver packs a winning punch, which is the only club in his bag that disrupts after the snap. He won’t win with speed or quickness, and his willingness to fire can lead to mistakes against the run. His game projects better on early downs where his power will disrupt and create sneaky value in sacks.
S Brady Breeze
Breeze plays well when attacking the line of scrimmage against the run, but he will short circuit if meeting big bodies. His cover skill doesn’t project well, and speed will be a problem at the next level. Breeze plays with vision and an excellent feel for play development. In his rookie season, he may have to earn his keep in the coverage game.
