AFC South Power Rankings: Colts, Titans, Texans, and Jaguars QBs
By Brady Akins
2. Tennessee Titans
Finishing just ahead of the Colts on the AFC South quarterback power rankings are Ryan Tannehill, Cole McDonald, and the Tennessee Titans. While Indianapolis’ quarterback is facing some scrutiny for having a bad year after a great career, Tannehill is facing nearly the opposite issue. Some doubt has been cast over the Titans signal-caller for only having one good season last year with an underwhelming career in Miami spoiling some people’s belief in the Tennessee bandwagon.
But Tannehill was spectacular for the Titans last season, and not just by his early-career standards. The 31-year-old signal-caller earned trust in Tennessee by being exactly the player the Titans needed– an accurate passer mobile enough to keep defenses honest who excelled in the play-action passing game.
In that run-heavy offense that leaned on play-action when it came to the passing game, Tannehill found the perfect system for his skill set, and it led to some impressive numbers on his end. Finishing with a 70.3% completion percentage wasn’t just impressive for 2019, it was impressive historically speaking too, as Tannehill finished tied for ninth all-time for completion percentage in a year. Added onto his 22 touchdowns to only six interceptions and wild 9.6 yards per pass attempt which ranked first in the NFL, and Tannehill put together a great season worthy of a Pro Bowl invite.
Because of his role in Tennessee’s run-heavy offense, Tannehill’s statistical-ceiling doesn’t quite reach the heights of Rivers or the next quarterback on this list, but he’s a good player capable of commanding the Titans offense. Even if some regression is coming for Tannehill, he’ll be regressing from being one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.