No. 4 strength on the Titans roster in 2023: Safety
Do you remember when Tennessee reached the AFC Championship in 2019? Nobody would blame you if you don't since four years in the NFL can feel like an eternity. Either way, one of the few remaining players that suited up for the Titans in the Conference championship could be at risk of walking. See, the front office asked safety Kevin Byard to take a pay cut earlier this year and it looks like he might not have liked it one bit.
Byard, who earned First-Team All-Pro designations in 2017 and 2021, has not shown up for offseason workouts and has been dubbed a potential cap casualty. Keep in mind that the Pro Bowl safety led the team in tackles last year and has tallied nine interceptions over the last two years. It might be in the team's best interest to sort things out, as he's one of their best defensive players and a locker-room presence. It's not hyperbole to say that parting ways with him would be a huge loss to the secondary.
So let's say Byard's absence from voluntary Organized Team Activities is indeed a non-story and he'll report to mandatory activities. He will then form a stout safety tandem alongside 2019 fourth-round pick Amani Hooker.
The Titans were pleased with Hooker's production in the first three seasons and decided to give him a three-year deal worth $33 million last September. Although he missed eight games in 2022, there are no signs he won't be 100 percent for the season opener. Back in 2020, the former Iowa Hawkeye snagged a career-best four interceptions and if he manages to remain healthy, it wouldn't be surprising to watch him set a new career-best next season.