With an unusual 2020 NFL season almost upon us (hopefully), let’s evaluate the players the Titans can least afford to lose.
Trying to have an NFL season in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic will certainly provide challenges to all 32 teams and front offices.
Every year around this time, fans are praying that their players make it to Week 1 of the regular season injury-free. 2020 adds another layer to those worries, as positive Covid-19 test results could also affect any player at any time.
The NFL has said that players will be tested for the virus every day for at least the first two weeks of camp. If a player tests positive, he must remain away from the team facilities for at least 10 days, and in an already-shortened offseason, 10 days could make a significant difference.
So one could see how a positive Coronavirus test or two could significantly alter a season.
However, Coronavirus being around has not changed the fact that injuries are a part of the game, and likely to affect every team at some point. Perhaps it was a wise decision for the NFL to cancel the preseason in 2020, to at least somewhat decrease the risk of injury as teams navigate the coronavirus fiasco.
So with injuries and pandemics in mind, I wanted to take a look at which players the Titans can least afford to lose.
Whether it be injury or sickness, I have picked the Titans whom I consider the most irreplaceable. It goes without saying that we at Titan Sized hope ALL of the Titans stay healthy for the 2020 season.
5. Jeffery Simmons
Big Jeff should be in for a huge 2020 season, at least according to me.
And thank goodness for Simmons, because without him, the Titans’ defensive line is sad.
I have talked endlessly about how I wish the Titans had better depth at this spot, as Isaiah Mack and Matt Dickerson currently represent the best internal options to fill in for the Simmons if the need arises. It is also worth noting that a fellow Titans defensive lineman, Jack Crawford, has been placed on the Covid-19 restricted list, further depleting the defensive line room and making Simmons all-the-more valuable.
Simmons had a monster 2019, and that was coming off of a serious injury. All inclinations are that Simmons will be a star for years to come. Losing a player of his magnitude to a positive coronavirus test or injury could be devastating to the Titans’ season, especially considering the lack of options behind him.
Maybe this all changes with the potential signing of someone like Jadeveon Clowney who has versatility on the defensive line, but even then there aren’t many people in the NFL who could do what Simmons did on a bad knee last year, much less what he will do now that he is 100%.
4. Harold Landry III
Harold Landry is a player who deserves more league-wide recognition. Landry was the sole Titan to reach double-digit sacks in 2019, and for large parts of the season seemed to be the Titans’ sole applier of pressure.
For these reasons, losing Landry for any period of time would be devastating for the Titans. Factor in the whole Vic Beasley ordeal and suddenly Landry is absolutely crucial.
We don’t know what is happening with Beasley, as he has already racked up half-a-million dollars in fines in his short term as a Titan, and now finds himself on the non-football injury list. It remains to be seen if Beasley will even suit up for the team in 2020.
One could probably assume Landry will eclipse the 10 sack mark again in 2020 if healthy, so take that away and what are you left with? Vic Beasley, who is a huge question mark, to say the least. D’Andre Walker, whom the coaches seem to love, but is battling back from injury, and a couple other guys who have either yet to prove themselves, or have always been role players.
A Landry loss would cripple the Titans pass rush, and I’m not sure it could be repaired.
3. A.J. Brown
Finishing his rookie campaign with over 1,000 yards receiving, Brown has all the makings of the next elite NFL Wide Receiver.
Brown is without question the number one Receiver on the Titans depth chart for 2020 and will be a problem for opposing defenses. The only problem is the Titans do not seem adequately prepared in the event disaster strikes and Brown is forced to miss a period of time.
Behind Brown, the Titans will roll out Corey Davis, Adam Humphries, and Kalif Raymond. Davis and Humphries are fine options, and Raymond showed deep-threat potential in 2019, but none of these guys would make up for the production of Brown.
Yes, the Titans will most likely remain a run-first offense in 2020, but a player of Brown’s caliber is equally as important nonetheless. I just don’t see any defense being scared of a Titans’ offense minus A.J. Brown.
Due to the importance of a quality passing game in 2020, and the lack of depth behind him, losing Brown would be gut-wrenching for Tannehill & Co.
2. Derrick Henry
I shouldn’t have to remind Titan fans just how crucial Derrick Henry is to the teams’ success.
After inking an extension with the team this offseason, Henry figures to once again be a featured part of the Titans’ game-plan. After leading the league in rushing in 2019, it goes without saying that the Titans probably don’t make it to the AFC Championship Game in 2019 without Henry. Henry rushed for 16 TD’s and over 1500 yards in 2019, eye-popping numbers for a back in this day and age.
When you look behind Henry on the depth chart, you realize even more so the importance of keeping him healthy. Backing up Henry will be rookie Darrynton Evans, who seems to be a nice change-of-pace back, but nowhere near the workhorse back that Henry has become.
At times last year, the Titans seemed completely out of games, and then Henry would break off a huge run and completely change the momentum in the Titans favor. No other back on the Titans roster has that game-changing ability, meaning more stress would be placed on Tannehill and the passing game.
I tend to believe the Titans will go as far as Derrick Henry takes them. He’s being paid like a star now, so hopefully, he stays healthy and performs like one. The Titans will be hurting if he doesn’t.
1. Ryan Tannehill
Name a better comeback story than Ryan Tannehill in 2019. Ryan Tannehill went 9-4 as a starter in 2019 for the Titans, including a Cinderella playoff run.
Do the Titans make it to the AFC Championship Game in 2019 if Tannehill never took the starting gig away from Marcus Mariota? I think the most reasonable assumption is no.
Tannehill completed 70% of his passes and threw for over 2700 yards and 22 TD’s, to only 6 INT’s. Tannehill’s 2019 performance was the best performance we’ve seen from a Titan’s QB in some time.
Now fast-forward to 2020. Mariota is gone, having signed with the Raiders this offseason, leaving the Titans without a quality backup. The Titans currently employ Logan Woodside and rookie Cole McDonald to backup Tannehill, but is that enough?
If Tannehill were to be placed on the Covid-19 or Injury list, it might be insurmountable for the team. Derrick Henry can only do so much, and eventually, defenses would catch on. Losing Tannehill would basically neuter the Titans passing attack, and leave them very one dimensional.
The Titans rallied around Tannehill in 2019, and he looked to be the heart and soul of the team at times. If the Titans have plans on returning to the AFC Championship Game in 2020, it is imperative that Tannehill remains healthy for the long-haul. Above-average QB’s don’t grow on trees.
Ryan Tannehill is the most irreplaceable player on the 2020 Tennessee Titans.