The Tennessee Titans made several important additions in the offseason but they will enter the 2023 season needing to answer a few questions. Can they exceed their projected win total of 7.5 games? Or are they the team that came crashing down and ended last season on a seven-game losing skid?
Either way, the Titans will be a fascinating team to watch in 2023 and here are five predictions ahead of training camp.
5. Rookie TE Josh Whyle will beat Chigoziem Okonkwo for the Titans' TE1 job
Can you really call a player a veteran if he's just entering his second NFL season? Chigoziem Okonkwo is no longer a rookie but he hasn't probably gotten fully acclimated to the pros. Regardless of the label you give to sophomore tight end, he will probably have to fend off rookie Josh Whyle in training camp to keep his job in 2023.
And that's the thing, Okonkwo might have a hard time holding Wayle back. The former was a fourth-round pick in last year's draft who should in theory become TE1 for the Titans with Austin Hooper joining the Las Vegas Raiders. However, there's nothing stopping Whyle from seizing the starting job.
Whyle, a third-round selection in this year's draft, has the versatility to become a key cog on the Tennessee offense in his first NFL season. At 6'6 1/2" and 245 pounds, the Cincinnati product needs to refine his footwork as a blocker but has the size and power to hold his own in pass-blocking situations. Similarly, he's got the athleticism and size to reel in catches in the middle of the field and his route-running is pretty polished coming out of college.
Okonkwo might not give up without competing but Whyle has more upside and if he shows out in training camp, he'll be in the starting lineup against the Chicago Bears in the opener.