3 Titans players who could be nice surprises in 2024
LB Jack Gibbens
After only appearing in five games (with two starts) during his rookie season back in 2022, Gibbens had a much larger role for the Titans' defense last season, starting 13 of the 14 games he played in.
Even with three missed games, Gibbens had 95 tackles, and his missed tackle percentage – now with a much larger sample size – was under seven percent. The only player on defense who graded out higher last season was Roger McCreary, and Gibbens also had the second-best grades as both a run defender and a pass rusher.
Though they did add Kenneth Murray Jr. this offseason, the loss of Azeez Al-Shaair will put even more attention on Gibbens heading into Year 3.
WR Treylon Burks
This one's more wishful thinking than actual analysis, but if Burks is going to have the breakout season that everyone's been waiting for, next year is the time to do it.
Now that opposing corners will have to deal with DeAndre Hopkins and Calvin Ridley, Burks should have an easier time getting matchups that could, in theory at least, lead to a big season. It's not like expectations are even that high – with two 1,000-yard guys already on the field, the Titans would probably be more than happy with a 600 or 700-yard season for Burks. At the very least, his 33-catch, 444-yard rookie season in 2022 would be a good start.
He's only 24, but he's running out of time to prove that he can be the guy after Hopkins leaves.