The Tennessee Titans’ impressive 2021 season was overshadowed by the disappointing finish in the playoffs.
While we can’t be sure how good this team is, we can be pretty comfortable with the established veterans that are expected to start.
Derrick Henry, Ryan Tannehill, Kevin Byard, Jeffery Simmons, Ben Jones, Denico Autry, Kristian Fulton, and others are all probably going to play like they usually do which is good news for the Titans.
However, the number of players that started every game in 2021 and who are scheduled to start in Week 1 this year, is pretty low and there are a lot of different ways that their seasons could reasonably go.
These four players stand out as players to watch this week vs the New York Giants.
Tennessee Titans to keep an eye on
1. Roger McCreary, DB
Roger McCreary was the Titans’ selection at the top of the 2nd, and even though some people liked Andrew Booth more, the Tennessee Titans picked their guy.
The tape on McCreary is very impressive, he possesses great footwork and body control along with nice ball skills that could make him a lockdown corner for years to come, the best part about this pick is that with the emergence of Kristian Fulton and the release of Jackrabbit Jenkins, McCreary has the CB2 spot wide open for his taking.
This could create a CB group where Fulton is on the WR1, McCreary on the WR2, and the Titans can mix and match how they want to use Elijah Molden and Caleb Farley in nickel and dime situations. The Titans DB group is finally coming together.
2. David Long Jr, ILB
David Long Jr has been a fan favorite since his rookie emergence in 2019. He solidified his good standing with fans after a stellar 2021 campaign, despite not even being a starter at the beginning of the season. The lateral athleticism and the effort that he shows from sideline to sideline have managed to turn everyone’s heads.
Jayon Brown and Rashaan Evans, once our loved LB duo, have both moved on to the Las Vegas Raiders and Atlanta Falcons respectively. Waiver wire standout Zach Cunningham made very impressive plays last year and probably has the LB1 position on lock, but don’t count out Long just yet. With a smaller role these past 3 years he has garnered a lot of attention, and this year with the LB2 role he should make a case for a multi-year 2nd contract and a spot in the heart of all Titans fans.
3. Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE
This is a name Tennessee Titans fans have been hearing all offseason. If the things you’ve heard haven’t gotten you fired up about this kid from Maryland, you are either lying or you aren’t paying attention.
Chig wowed people left and right a camp, even in the first week of camp he scored a touchdown on Kevin Byard (only one of the best safeties in football). This guy has the potential to be our TE1 for years to come and possesses a new era TE build with great size, hands, and athleticism for the position. He resembles Jonnu Smith and would make a great counterpunch alongside Austin Hooper.
4. Treylon Burks, WR
Treylon Burks is part of the AJ Brown replacement plan in Nashville. He had a very impressive career at Arkansas and has the tools to be an elite WR in the NFL.
Fans were a little disappointed to see him show up to training camp out of shape, but he pulled a 180 in camp and turned into a walking highlight reel. A great season from Burks can go a long way towards helping Tennessee Titans fans accept that Brown is gone, and it looks like a big season is in the works for the rookie.