The Titans ever since the end of the prime of the Mike Vrabel – Ryan Tannehill era where the team was very formidable and even perhaps overachieved, they have struggled to find their footing. In the past three seasons the Titans have won seven games or less including winning only three games this past season which led to them getting the number one overall pick in the draft. Heading into the NFL draft the team will almost assuredly select Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the number one overall pick. Ward is not a generational prospect but projects to be a very effective quarterback at the next level and he will likely be the face of the Titans franchise for years to come. Titans and head coach Mike Vrabel after two consecutive losing seasons split ways prior to the 2024 campaign. Before the 2024 campaign they hired Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan as the head coach but the jury still remains out on him in that regard. As in his first season in the NFL as a head coach the team was tied for the worst record in the league and are currently picking first in the draft. Out of all the 3-14 teams a season ago who were tied for the league’s worst record one could certainly argue that the Titans looked the weakest. As the Browns and Giants who also were tied for the league’s worst record showed flashes of very strong play whereas the Titans did not necessarily show that at all during the year. The Titans three wins on the season came against the Dolphins with a backup quarterback, the Patriots who finished 4-13, and a win vs the Texans who still were just a borderline playoff team who perhaps just overlooked the Titans and laid an egg in that game.
Assessing the Titans on the offensive side of the ball I can offer the following. Tennessee was one of the weakest teams in the NFL offensively a season ago and their 2024 major offensive metrics can be found below.
Titans 2024 offensive metrics
27th in points per game
26th in yards per game
31st in overall offense grade according to Pro Football Focus
Offensive minded head coach Brian Callahan is going into year 2 and likely Cam Ward at the starting quarterback spot will have their work cut out for them as there is only room to go up on the offensive side of the ball. I have conducted an analysis of the offensive personnel for the Titans last season and heading into next season as well. I have included the offense grade that each player was assigned by Pro Football Focus for last season, as well as my own subjective grade that indicates how strong of players they are in totality outside of just last season. This subjective evaluation is based upon yearly statistical output and yearly subjective grades that were given to them by Pro Football Focus.
Titans Starting Offensive Lineman
LT – Dan Moore Jr – (44/87) offense grade in 2024 over 1111 snaps for Steelers, C
LG – Peter Skoronski – (53/83) offense grade in 2024 over 1095 snaps, C+ so far as 2023 1st rounder
C – Llyod Cushenberry III – (39/43) offense grade in 2024 over 499 snaps, C+
RG – Kevin Zeitler – (4/83) offense grade in 2024 over 1047 snaps for Lions, A to A-
RT – J.C Latham – (60/87) offense grade in 2024 over 1095 snaps, C so far as 2024 1st rounder
Titans Reserve Offensive Lineman
T/G – Arlington Hambright – DNP in 2024, C to C- in very limited career snaps
G – Olisaemeka Udoh – (67/83) offense grade in 2024 over 149 snaps for Saints, C to C+
C – Corey Levin – (39/43) offense grade in 2024 over 133 snaps, C to C+
G – Blake Hance – (53/83) offense grade in 2024 over 97 snaps for Jaguars, C
T – Jaelyn Duncan – (70/87) offense grade in 2024 over 39 snaps, D+
G – Andrew Rupcich – only 16 snaps in 2024, C+ to B-
C – Sam Mustipher – (76/83) offense grade in 2024 over 105 snaps for Chargers, C to C+
G – Chandler Brewer – DNP in 2024, C
T – John Ojukwu – (41/87) offense grade in 2024 over 264 snaps, C+ to B-
C – Brenden Jaimes – only 10 snaps in 2024 for Chargers, C-
T – Isaiah Prince – (87/87) offense grade in 2024 over 29 snaps, D+ to C-
Titans Offensive Lineman from 2024 not currently or no longer on team
T – Leroy Watson – (87/87) offense grade over 191 snaps in 2024, D+ to C-, now on Vikings
T – Nicholas Petit-Frere – (82/87) offense grade over 621 snaps in 2024, D+, currently free agent
T/G – Dillon Radunz – (62/83) offense grade over 903 snaps in 2024, C to C+, now on Saints
C/G – Daniel Brunskill – (41/43) offense grade over 684 snaps in 2024, C+ to B-, currently free agent
Titans 2024 Offensive Line Metrics
25th in pass blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus
31st in run blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus
29th in pass blocking efficiency
26th in sacks allowed
As you can see from this final set of data the Titans were in the definitive discussion for having the weakest offensive line in the NFL this past season. Heading into next season they can expect to improve up front because firstly they have only room to go up and also, they signed a few proven veterans and have some young players in line to improve as well. The team has signed veteran Dan Moore from the Steelers but it remains if he will bolster the offensive line. Moore’s production has been consistently mediocre in his career and in a career best season last season, he was still only average. Left guard Peter Skoronski as a 2023 first round pick has underwhelmed in the league so far but has shown flashes of very strong play. Skoronski ranked above average in terms of an offense grade in his rookie season but had a bit of a sophomore slump in 2024 ranking slightly below average in that department. In his sophomore slump campaign, he still ranked above average in terms of pass protection but struggled in terms of run blocking. If he can put it all together next season, he can be a very formidable starter for Tennessee up front. Lloyd Cushenberry is slated to start at center but the team can expect to get just average to mediocre production from their starting center spot as a result. The big addition this offseason for the Titans was the acquisition of star veteran guard Kevin Zeitler who the team signed in free agency from the Lions. Zeitler has consistently been one of the premier offensive lineman over the duration of his career. He will bring some stability to a Titans offensive line that needs it. J.C Latham at right tackle had a respectable rookie season as a first-round pick before last year. It remains to be seen how much he will improve going into year 2 and beyond but as such a high draft pick who still had a solid rookie season, Tennessee should be optimistic he can blossom into a highly effective starter for them. The Titans offensive line was abysmal a season ago but can potentially be solid next season with the offseason addition of Zeitler and the potential improvement of some young players. However, they will likely be just a solid but not spectacular caliber unit at best unless they add additional pieces up front, as they will remain too weak at one of the starting tackle spots and at starting center. The Titans are relatively deep on the offensive line as well as they have multiple players who can give them some high-end production that I graded to be in C to C+ range or higher. I have conducted a similar analysis of the team’s skill position players which can be found below as well.
Titans Starting Skill Position Players
HB1 – Tony Pollard – (35/58) offense grade in 2024 in 16 games, B+
WR1 – Calin Ridley – (40/110) offense grade in 2024 in 17 games, B+
WR2 – Treylon Burks – only 4 rec in 5 games in 2024, C+ to B-, highly inconsistent as ’22 first rounder
WR3- Van Jefferson – (105/110) offense grade in 2024 in 17 games for Steelers, C to C-
TE1 – Chigoziem Okonkwo – (34/45) offense grade in 2024 in 17 games, C+ to B-
Titans Reserve Skill Position Players
WR – Bryce Oliver – 6 career rec
WR – Mason Kinsey – 4 career rec
WR – James Proche II – 3 rec in 2024 for Browns, C
WR – Colton Dowell – 1 career rec
WR – Tay Martin – 1 career rec
WR – Jhaquan Jackson – 1 career rec
TE – Josh Whyle – (26/45) offense grade in 2024 in 17 games, C
TE – David Martin-Robinson – 1 career rec
TE – Thomas Odukoya – 0 career rec, undrafted 2024
HB – Tyjae Spears – (37/58) offense grade in 2024 in 12 games, C+ to B-
HB – Julius Chestnut – (30/57) offense grade in 2024 in 9 games, C
HB – Jabari Small – 0 career snaps
Titans Skill Position Players from 2024 not currently or no longer on team
WR – Nick Westbrook-Ikhine – (79/110) offense grade in 2024 in 17 games, C, now on Dolphins
WR – Tyler Boyd – (94/110) offense grade in 2024 in 16 games, C to C+, free agent
WR – DeAndre Hopkins – (63/110) offense grade in 2024 in 6 games for Titans, traded midseason
TE – Nick Vannett – (42/45) offense grade in 2024 in 17 games, C to C-, free agent
HB – Joshua Kelley – only 1 rushing attempt and 0 rec in 2024, D+ to C-, free agent
As you can see from the above the Titans have some talent from a skill position standpoint particularly in the names of Tony Pollard and Calvin Ridley. Pollard is consistently an above average running back and at peak form is as good as nearly any back in the sport. Pollard in three separate seasons has ranked in the top 6 among all qualified running backs in terms of an offense grade in extended snaps. Calvin Ridley is one of the best number two wide outs and is perhaps a legitimate #1 wide out as well. Treylon Burks, who was first round pick in the 2022 draft, has been hit and miss thus far in his career but has shown a ton of promise. Burks suffered a season ending injury this past season and also struggled with injuries in his first two seasons in the league as well. When healthy, Burks had a very strong rookie season ranking (29/103) in terms of an offense grade among qualified wide outs in 11 games. However, in the next two seasons in 16 combined games he ranked among the bottom of the league in that same department in both seasons. If Burks can remain healthy and be more consistent, he will be a very strong wide receiving option for the Titans given his high draft status and his very strong rookie season. At tight end the team has Chigoziem Okonkwo slated to start for them there and he similar to Burks had a very strong rookie season in 2022 but tailed off the next two seasons. In his 2022 rookie season as a 4th round pick, he ranked (6/43) in terms of an offense grade among qualified tight ends appearing in all 17 games but only amassing 32 receptions and less than 500 receiving yards. In the next two seasons however, he ranked below average to well above in terms of an offense grade while appearing in 17 games in both seasons and amounting roughly 500 yards in each season as well. At his peak he is very effective as a tight end but perhaps he is better suited in a #2 tight end role given his very high ceiling but lack of consistency. The Titans lack depth from a skill position player standpoint although Tyjae Spears at running back can potentially give them some high-end production from a reserve role. But outside of that they currently do not have any reserves who have proven they can give the Titans anything more than average to mediocre production at best.
In totality, on the offensive side of the ball the Titans were one of the weakest teams a season ago. They got highly erratic and ineffective quarterback play as they did not have a starting caliber quarterback on their roster. The offensive line lacked talent and was too young. Outside of Tony Pollard and Calvin Ridley who are very good but who no one confuses with being in a similar class with the Saquon Barkley’s or Justin Jefferson’s of the world, the cupboard was essentially bare offensively for Tennessee a season ago. That combined with Tennessee having a first-time head coach and a first-time offensive coordinator was a recipe for disaster for seeing success on the offensive side of the ball. Heading into next season the Titans can be a solid offensive team, however. Cam Ward will give the Titans some star power from the quarterback spot, both the first year head coach and offensive coordinator will head into year 2 in the NFL, the young offensive lineman will likely improve and they have also added star veteran Kevin Zeitler to the offensive front as well, Treylon Burks who was once a first round pick who has shown some promise can potentially stay healthier and come into his own as well. But regardless, the Titans will still likely be a solid but not spectacular offensive team next season at best. As Ward will have some growing pains as a rookie and it remains to be seen if head coach Brian Callahan is the right man for the job and if they have the right offensive coordinator in place as well. Their personnel on the offensive side of the ball also has some question marks as well. The defensive side of the ball was also a concern for the Titans a season ago and I have conducted a similar analysis of the team on the defensive end which can be found below.
The team struggled on the defensive end and in totality they were one of the weakest defensive teams in the NFL last season although there were some bright spots. The team’s major defensive rankings from last season can be found below.
2024 Titans Defensive Ranks
30th in points per game allowed
2nd in yards per game allowed
19th in overall defense grade according to Pro Football Focus
As you can see from the above data the Titans allowed the third most points in the NFL this past season but somehow allowed the 2nd fewest yards in the regular season. The Titans were also graded by Pro Football Focus as just a slightly below average defense in totality. The Titans certainly have what it takes to be a solid defensive team next season given their elite ranking in yards per game allowed and Pro Football Focus grading them as just a slightly below average defense as well. I have conducted a similar analysis of the team’s personnel on the defensive end just like I did for the offense of the team which can be found below.
Titans Starting Front Seven
ED – Sebastian Joseph-Day – (24/146) defense grade in 2024 over 483 snaps, B to B+
NT – T’Vondre Sweat – (15/146) defense grade in 2024 over 699 snaps, B+ so far as 2024 2nd rounder
ED – Jeffrey Simmons – (10/146) defense grade in 2024 over 806 snaps, B+ to A-
WLB – Dre’mont Jones – (112/135) defense grade in 2024 over 617 snaps for Seahawks, C+
LILB – Cody Barton – (43/92) defense grade in 2024 over 1053 snaps for Denver, C to C+
RILB – Otis Reese IV – (78/92) defense grade in 2024 over 90 snaps, C+ to B- in very limited snaps
SLB – Arden Key – (42/135) defense grade in 2024 over 734 snaps, C+ to B-
Titans Reserve Front Seven
ED – T.K McLendon Jr – DNP in 2024, D- in very limited snaps
DL – Abdullah Anderson – (54/146) defense grade in 2024 in 38 snaps, C+ to B-
NT – Keondre Coburn – (127/146) defense grade in 2024 in 125 snaps, C+
LB – Jaylen Harrell – poor in 286 snaps in 2024, D- so far as 2024 7th rounder
LB – Cedric Gray – poor in 48 snaps in 2024, D- so far as 2024 4th rounder
LB – James Williams – poor in 111 snaps in 2024, D+ to C- so far as 2024 7th rounder
LB – Lorenzo Carter – (132/135) defense grade in 2024 in 410 snaps for Falcons, C+
LB – Ali Gaye – poor in 177 snaps in 2024, D-
LB – Kyron Johnson – subpar in 22 career snaps
LB – Curtis Jacobs – poor in 23 career snaps
Titans Front Seven from 2024 not currently or no longer on team
DL – James Lynch – (61/146) defense grade in 2024 over 243 snaps, C+ to B-, free agent
ED – Harold Landry III – (39/135) defense grade in 2024 over 878 snaps, C+, now on NE
ED – Khalid Duke – only 12 career snaps, free agent
ED – Caleb Murphy – poor in 35 career snaps, free agent
LB – Jerome Baker – (55/92) defense grade in 2024 over 566 snaps, C+ to B-, now on CLV
LB – Luke Gifford – (62/92) defense grade in 2024 over 203 snaps, C to C+, now on SF
LB – Jack Gibbens – (6/92) defense grade in 2024 over 234 snaps, B+ in limited snaps, now on NE
LB – Kenneth Murray Jr – (87/92) defense grade in 2024 over 815 snaps, C to C-, now on Dallas
LB – Ernest Jones – (58/92) defense grade in 2024 over 995 snaps, B to B-, now on Seattle
Titans 2024 Key Front Seven Metrics
26th in rush yards per game allowed
9th in run defense grade according to Pro Football Focus
28th in pass rush grade according to Pro Football Focus
30th in sacks
As you can see from this last set of data the Titans had one of the weakest front sevens in the game this past season, ranking in the bottom six in three of the four major categories. There was a bright spot in that Pro Football Focus did rank them 9th in terms of run defense grade, however. From a personnel perspective the Titans have one of the premier trios of defensive lineman in the sport, however. Sebastian Joseph-Day, T’Vondre Sweat, and Jeffrey Simmons all were graded in the B+ range or higher which is not common to have that many high caliber players on your defensive front. The rest of the front seven is a concern however as the team lost more than a few solid players from a season ago in free agency. The rest of the front seven as of now is comprised of mostly just average to mediocre caliber players and/or unproven players. A point of emphasis entering the NFL draft and also with the remainder of the offseason should be to add talent to the front seven to complement the three high end defensive linemen. I have conducted a similar evaluation of the team’s secondary which can be found below.
Titans Starting Secondary
CB – L’Jarius Sneed – (127/128) defense grade in 2024 in 301 snaps, B to B+
SS – Amani Hooker – (50/104) defense grade in 2024 in 848 snaps, B to B-
FS – Xavier Woods – (82/104) defense grade in 2024 in 1216 snaps for Panthers, B to B-
CB – Jarvis Brownlee Jr – (87/128) defense grade in 2024 in 911 snaps, C so far as 2024 5th rounder
NB – Roger McCreary – (76/128) defense grade in 2024 in 652 snaps, C+
Titans Reserve Secondary
CB – Darrell Baker Jr – (57/128) defense grade in 2024 in 626 snaps, C+
SS – Julius Woods – 5 career snaps, undrafted 2024
FS – Mike Brown – (32/104) defense grade in 2024 in 384 snaps, C+ to B-
CB – Gabe Jeudy-Lally – 0 career snaps, undrafted 2024
FS – Kendell Brooks – 0 career snaps, undrafted 2023
Titans Secondary from 2024 not currently or no longer on team
S – Jamal Adams – poor in 3 games for Titans before release
S – Daryl Worley – (86/104) defense grade in 2024 over 460 snaps, C to C+, free agent
S – Quandre Diggs – (21/104) defense grade in 2024 over 419 snaps, C+ to B-, free agent
CB – Tre Avery – only 2 snaps in 2024, C to C+, now on SF
CB – Chidobie Awuzie – (64/128) defense grade in 2024 over 373 snaps, B to B-, now on Ravens
Titans 2024 Key Secondary Metrics
21st in coverage grade according to Pro Football Focus
2nd in passing yards per game allowed
As you can see from this last set of data and also from their personnel which was listed above, the Titans are respectable on the back end of their defense. Although the 2nd in passing yards per game allowed can be a bit misleading it is still indicative of stout secondary play. L’Jarius Sneed, who was acquired from the Chiefs before the 2024 season, had a very disappointing first year with the Titans as he struggled with health. With the Chiefs he was consistently amongst the better corners in the NFL but ranked (127/128) in terms of a defense grade among qualified corners in year 1 with the Titans. He was only able to play 301 snaps due to health concerns but the team is optimistic he can bounce back next season. However, with the Chiefs he was never quite elite in terms of corners and perhaps he was more-so a product of his environment and without the Chiefs infrastructure he is maybe just a solid slightly above average player. This thinking is further evidenced by his poor performance in year 1 with the Titans. The jury still remains out on him however and he can certainly blossom into a consistently strong player for the Titans on the back end. Amani Hooker, who started for the team last season, and Xavier Woods who was acquired from the Panthers this offseason will form a solid but not spectacular safety tandem. The remaining two starting cornerback spots still remain a concern however and the team should look to draft to perhaps address it. Although Roger McCreary, who was a second rounder in 2022 has shown some promise in the league and can potentially come into his own heading into year 4 in the NFL. With the Titans secondary, the combination of Sneed, Hooker, and Woods will likely form a solid but not spectacular starting trio of players on the backend. But the trio is slightly above average at best and the remainder of the secondary does not have a player who has proven he is a legitimate starter. The secondary is an average to a below average unit at best as of now but is certainly not horrendous by any stretch.
In totality with the Titans on the defensive side of the ball, the team has several good players, in particular the starting trio of defensive lineman. The team has some stout players on the backend as well. The Titans did indeed allow the 2nd fewest yards in the league last season and Pro Football Focus did grade them just slightly below average in terms of an overall defense as well despite them ranking near the bottom of the league in points allowed. Given all that the team has what it takes to be a solid defensive unit next season especially with their defensive coordinator going into year 2 in the position as well.
The Titans are picking first in the draft for a reason and had a mostly abysmal season last year. However, given the Texans and Commanders turn around the past two seasons where they went from picking in the top 2 to then the postseason after selecting a franchise quarterback with their high draft pick. The Titans should be optimistic they can do something similar as well with the impending selection of Cam Ward with the number one overall pick. The team has lots of talent on the offensive side of the ball and on the defensive line as well. If some young players can really come into their own, then the Titans offensive personnel would rank up there with almost any team in the NFL with a young stud quarterback commanding the ship. The Titans were just a slightly below average defensive team a season ago and can be a solid defensive team next season as well. If the Titans select Cam Ward and if he is indeed the real deal then the Titans can absolutely make the postseason next year just like the Commanders and Texans did the past two seasons. Especially given the fact that the Titans get to play in maybe the weakest division in the league.
