Tennessee Titans schedule: JJ Watt plus 10 Cardinals to watch in Week 1

Tennessee Titans versus Arizona scouting report: Cardinals to watch on defense

Former Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler is out of this one and is pondering retirement. That will spoil his homecoming, but there’s still plenty to talk about with the Cardinals defense. Like Arizona’s offense, they have stars everywhere.

Chandler Jones, linebacker

This former first-round pick and Super Bowl Champion is a member of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. Chandler Jones is a two-time First-team All-Pro (2017, 2019), a three-time Pro Bowl nod (2015, 2017, 2019), and he led the NFL in sacks in 2017. Enough said.

Budda Baker, safety

You can best believe that Ryan Tannehill will want to know where Budda Baker is at all times. A member of the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie Team in 2017, he already has three Pro Bowl nods on his resume (2017, 2019, 2020) and two First-team All-Pro designations. (2017, 2020)

J.J. Watt, defensive end

One of the great defensive talents of our time and all time. The Titans thought that they were getting rid of J.J. Watt when he left the Houston Texans, and lo and behold, they get him again in Week 1 of the 2021 season.

Tay Gowan, cornerback

Tay Gowan was a sixth-round draft choice during this past NFL Draft that seemingly has found his way into the starting lineup for Week 1. In other words, he gets the unenviable assignment of shadowing Julio Jones or A.J. Brown (or both).

Welcome to the NFL rookie! Keep an eye on this young man as we gear up for Week 1. You may not have a choice once the game starts.

Isaiah Simmons/Zaven Collins, linebackers

Are you sensing a theme here? The Cards are loaded at the second level of their defense. Isaiah Simmons earned a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2020. Zaven Collins enters his first year in the NFL after a dominating career at the collegiate level. He’s as close to being a sure thing as a rookie can be.