It's hard to make get an accurate read on the Tennessee Titans ahead of the 2023 season. Their projected win total currently sits at 7.5 but nobody would bat an eye if they manage to win six games or fewer. Simply, general manager Ran Carthon was dealt a bad hand and had limited resources to replenish the roster in the offseason.
Conversely, Tennessee could exceed expectations. Their roster isn't fully devoid of talent and still has lots of talent at key spots. In particular, these five position groups figure to be strengths in 2023.
No. 5 strength on the Titans roster in 2023: Linebacker corps
The Titans linebacker corps doesn't have any players that fit the big star category but they routinely got the job done in 2022 and that's what counts, right? Would you rather have name recognition or get gassed by opposing teams?
Letting David Long and Dylan Cole in free agency stings but Monty Rice is ready to step into a bigger role. Similarly, Azeez Al-Shaair, who inked a two-year deal worth $6 million in free agency, should have an immediate impact.
Head coach Mike Vrabel recognizes that Monty Rice, a third-round pick in the 2021 draft, needs to be consistent but also acknowledged that factors beyond his control held him back last year. The former Georgia Bulldog appeared in 13 games with six starts last year and barring injury, he should have no trouble filling the void left by Long.
On the other hand, Al-Shaair flashed potential during his four-year stint with the San Francisco 49ers. An undrafted free agent in 2019, the former Florida Atlantic Owl played 56 games with 31 starts for the Niner and showed potential in 2022, when he tallied 102 total tackles, two sacks, five passes defended, and one interception.
Add the return of edge rusher Harold Landry III, who missed the 2022 season with a torn ACL, and the Titans' linebacker group is in better shape than they were one year ago. And the best part is that the team's brass didn't have to make a huge investment to upgrade the unit.
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.
No. 3 strength on the Titans roster in 2023: D-Line
Ever since Mike Vrabel became the head coach, the Titans have been known for their ground-and-pound style of offense and their dominant defensive line play, and their 2023 version is no different. One of the biggest news this offseason was that Tennessee gave defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons a four-year deal worth $94 million in April.
A first-round pick in 2019, Simmons has become a staple on the defensive front over the last two years, logging 16 sacks and 13 passes defended — a big amount for an interior defender — in that span. Make no mistake though, Simmons isn't the only defensive lineman on the Tennessee roster that is slated to make an impact next season.
Defensive end Denico Autry got off to a slow start to his career but has developed into a solid starter. Since joining the Titans in 2021, he's posted 17 sacks and it's possible that he should post even better numbers with the arrival of Arden Key and the return of Harold Landry III.
Key — an important piece of the rival Jacksonville Jaguars last season — has the versatility to line up at several spots across the defensive line. Even though he only logged 4.5 sacks in 2022, he helped his teammates find more favorable matchups and he will most likely have a similar impact in Tennessee next season.
A third-round pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2018 draft, Key needed a bit of time and the right situation to hit his stride but given the talent on the Titans' defensive line, it wouldn't be shocking to see him set a new career high for sacks in 2023.
Last but not least is Teair Teat, who won't post eye-popping numbers but he's been integral to the team's success up front. Otherwise, the top brass wouldn't have brought him back in free agency on a $4.3 million deal.
No. 2 strength on the Titans roster in 2023: Running back
The Titans have one of the best running backs in the league in Derrick Henry, which is why it was a bit puzzling to see them use a valuable draft pick to select Tyjae Spears in the third round. However, a closer look shows that it was a low-key smart club.
Henry is still the king but his reign will eventually come to an end. It might happen this year, maybe in 2025 but drafting Spears could potentially extend his shelf life. While there's a good chance the King will still get most of the workload next season, Spears should also get significant playing time.
You could argue that the Titans should continue feeding Henry the ball but that's no longer a sustainable way to win games. Last season, he toted the rock 349 times for 1,538 yards with 13 touchdowns. Those are great numbers on the surface but the former Alabama standout also got stymied more often than in previous years. It's possible that the wear and tear are starting to take a toll on him, so making Spears an important part of the offense would be the best course of action.
This isn't to say Henry is done but rather that the Titans need to be smart about how they use him at this stage of their career if they want to get the best possible mileage out of him. Especially with Spears now in the equation.
In Spears, Tennessee has a dynamic runner that can also contribute in the passing game and it would make sense to get him and RB3 Hassan Haskins involved on offense to lessen some of Henry's workload in 2023.
No. 1 strength on the Titans roster in 2023: Quarterback
Wait, you might be wondering how quarterback can be a strength for the Titans in 2023 even though Ryan Tannehill isn't getting any younger, and rookie Will Levis might need time before he's ready to step into the NFL field. The truth is that there are several question marks at the position but also several reasons for optimism next season.
Tannehill wasn't great last year but he wasn't a slouch either. The Titan's lack of talent at wide receiver affected the veteran quarterback but with a revamped offensive line, he could post solid numbers, especially if sophomore Treylon Burks improves in 2023.
Also, rookies Tyjae Spears and tight end Josh Whiley should get lots of playing time early in the season and if they can develop quickly, they'll give Tannehill a couple of solid options in the passing game.
While there's still a chance the Titans will move Tannehill before the 2023 season, they might be better off keeping him for at least one more season. Besides giving them the best chance to win games, his presence will allow the coaching staff to not pressed Levis into action before he's ready. The alternative is to go with Malik Willis, a third-round pick in last year's draft, who showed he still needs to refine his game before he's considered a legitimate option at quarterback.
It seems like it's a matter of time before Levis takes the reins but 2023 might not be the year. Instead, expect Tannehill to throw close to 4,000 yards and avoid big mistakes while Levis and Willis keep working on getting better. And all things considered, that's a pretty good scenario.