Tennessee Titans 2022 outlook

Sep 9

After finishing as the number one seed in the AFC and losing in the divisional round last year, the Tennessee Titans feel like a team that can compete. But the offseason moves they made look like they will struggle mightily this upcoming season.

The cause of concern comes on both sides of the ball.

Starting on the offensive side, losing A.J Brown. The Titans traded the star wide receiver to the Philadelphia Eagles for a first and third round pick on draft night.

The trade leaves the wide receiver room with uncertainty. Acquiring Robert Woods from the Los Angeles Rams gives the Titans a veteran presence to a young and unproven group of receivers. However, Woods will be coming off a torn ACL so he will need time to get acclimated to his new team and fully be healthy.

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine returns to the team after a fine 2021 season in which he posted 476 yards in 16 games.

Rookie Treylon Burks will get the most of the spotlight out of this group with the Titans using their acquired first round pick from the Eagles on the Arkansas product. The Titans must hope Burks can be Brown’s replacement as they both drew a lot of comparison due to their size, speed and yards after catch ability.

Nevertheless, losing Brown hurts and the offense might need to rely on Derrick Henry more if this wide receiver group does not produce.

On the defensive side, the cornerbacks are very much like the wide receiver room. The Titans decided to go young after they released veteran Jackrabbit Jenkins and Buster Skrine retiring.

This leaves Kristian Fulton being the most experienced starter as he heads into only his third year. Playing alongside Fulton will be second year corners Caleb Farley and Elijah Molden plus incoming rookie Roger McCreary.

All eyes will be on Farley as last year’s first round pick only managed to play in three games before tearing his ACL.

With this much youth in the cornerback group, they will have to hold up their own especially playing in the loaded AFC. The Titans are currently scheduled to play against the Bills, Bengals and all four AFC West teams this season.

On paper, the Titans look inferior compared to the top contenders like the Bills, Chiefs and Rams. But, there is no question that they have the capability to contend. They did it last year with Derrick Henry missing half of the season.

Ultimately, the Titans will have to show and prove that they can contend once again.