Who can the Tennessee Titans build around this offseason?
By Will Lomas
Young starters that may have the potential to be above-average starters or Pro Bowlers.
The players on the last slide are all probably going to be back, but cap space might be a motivating factor if the Tennessee Titans just felt like they could get more than they were giving.
These players are the guys who have clearly shown enough to start next season. Given the value of rookie contracts, it would be a bad football decision and a bad financial decision, if these players weren’t on the roster and starting in 2023.
Treylon Burks, WR
Don’t be distracted by the box score, Treylon Burks is far and away the best receiver on this roster. While that might not be a high bar, the difference when he is in a game is clear and he has been one of the best rookie deep threats in the NFL.
Roger McCreary, CB
It is hard to play cornerback in the NFL and rookies usually struggle to adapt. Despite that, McCreary has played more snaps than anyone else on the Tennessee Titans roster this year and he has been close to so many big plays. Next year will be about the gap between nearly making a big play, and making a big play.
Kristian Fulton, CB
I am not going to judge any Tennessee Titans player who gets injured. Over the last two years, this team’s health has either been historically mismanaged or they just have the worst luck in the NFL.
When Fulton is healthy, he is great and it is as simple as that.
Elijah Molden, SCB
Molden hasn’t been quite as good as Fulton when he is healthy, but he has been a very effective slot corner. He should absolutely have the starting job locked up unless the Titans luck into a great slot corner on Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT
NPF has the tools to be an above-average starter in the NFL and he is going to go into the offseason as the presumptive starter at right tackle. There is no reason to think that he won’t develop, but he will need to become more consistent in year two.
Chig Okonkwo, TE
He is the best rookie tight end in this draft class and it isn’t even a debate. If Todd Downing had realized that he was better than Geoff Swaim in Week 1, Okonkwo might be on his way to the Pro Bowl.