What to expect from the Titans in 2022
Things are looking slightly different for the Tennessee Titans heading into the new season.
Despite being the AFC’s #1 seed in 2021, many are predicting a much more difficult year ahead in 2022.
In yet another huge trade this offseason, the Titans shocked the league during the 2022 NFL Draft as they traded away star wide receiver AJ Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles for the 18th pick, which they used to select Brown’s replacement in Treylon Burks.
Brown was entering 2022 looking for a contract extension this year, a deal which the Titans ultimately weren’t willing to pay. By trading the Ole Miss product and acquiring some talent in return, Tennessee will feel they have got value for money.
The move was also a sign of the Titans wanting their money to go elsewhere, most likely into defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. He too will soon be looking at a huge pay day with his rookie deal coming to an end.
So with their star receiver now gone, what can we expect from the Titans this season?
Can the Titans get close to defending their #1 seed in the AFC?
The Titans were a top team during the 2021/22 NFL regular season. They topped the AFC with a 12-5 record.
However, Tennessee dropped straight out of the playoffs in the Divisional Round to the Cincinnati Bengals, who went on to make the Super Bowl.
Despite trading Brown this offseason and releasing their other starting receiver Julio Jones, the Titans will still be hopeful of replicating their regular season success.
How? Well firstly, the AFC South remains one of the weakest divisions in the league.
It gives the Titans four games against two rebuilding teams in the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans. On paper, their only competition for the division title should be the Indianapolis Colts.
Nonetheless, it is still going to be an tricky year in Nashville. Fixtures on the road against the likes of the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers and the Los Angeles Chargers will be extremely challenging. And in terms of power rankings, the Titans are still well behind the prime. contenders.
But Tennessee thrives on being the underdog, as they have shown on many occasions.
They will still fancy their chances of another playoff year, and a 10-7 season looks like it could be a very realistic aim for the Titans to make this season.
Big changes in offensive weapons
The Titan offense will have a totally new look this year. First rounder Burks will be the number one option at receiver from the get go.
Burks has already gained many comparisons to Brown. But of course, it will be hard for former Arkansas star to immediately replicate the impact Brown had when he suited up for the Titans.
The Titans also made a trade for Robert Woods from the Los Angeles Rams. He’ll most likely miss the start of the year as he recovers from a torn ACL in 2021.
Woods will eventually be an ideal option for the Titans and offer decent production. In his nine games last season, Woods went for 556 yards on 45 catches, scoring four touchdowns.
The former second-rounder will also provide a solid option as a run blocker, which will fit into the Titans game plan perfectly. It will aid star running back Derrick Henry with plenty of protection.
Henry was out for the majority of last year, proving just how well replacements stepped up in his absence to help secure a 12 win season.
But expect a lot of demand on Henry again this year. The Titans are very focused on a run based offence and when you have a weapon as strong as Henry, you can understand why. Henry is still such a dominant player when fit.
The Titans brought in help for Henry on day three of the NFL draft. Running back Hassan Haskins and tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo will bring some much needed depth to the roster.
Elsewhere, the Titans brought in a huge need during free agency at tight end with Austin Hooper.
Hooper will be the lead tight end this year. He will be given plenty of opportunities to showcase some of the great talent he showed during his time with the Atlanta Falcons.
Hooper was signed to a one year, $6 million deal. If the tight end can recover the form he showed at the Falcons, the Titans could be looking at a huge steal in free agency.
Will Malik Willis unseat Ryan Tannehill at QB?
Despite drafting Malik Willis in the third round of the draft, the Titans will continue to run with Ryan Tannehill at quarterback to start 2022.
Willis could still receive some action this year, however it will probably be limited to start. Tennessee has made it clear that they still value Tannehill in the starting role.
This could change depending on how the season is going. If the Titans are struggling, giving Willis some early game time to develop his skill at the NFL level could be huge to his development.
The selection of the Liberty QB is a real indication that the Titans front office is starting to look into the future. With Tannehill now at 33 years of age, a change in the quarterback position is soon to be required.
No one expected Willis to fall this low in the draft. The Titans were the side to reap the rewards of that, taking him deep into the third round.
Selecting that low has also taken off a lot of pressure for the young quarterback. Willis will be undoubtedly disappointed to have fallen, but expectations won’t now be as intense. The Titans will be in no rush to start him, and let development take place naturally under the wings of Tannehill.
Defense still strong in Tennessee
During the latter half of last season, the Titans established themselves as one of the league’s best defences.
A huge positive for this offseason must be having kept the core of that defence together.
With all the changes occurring on offense, the Titans will need their elite defenders to show up early to help with any chemistry issues on the other side of the ball.
Linebacker Harold Landry III signed a new deal keeping him in Tennessee until 2027, on an $87.5 million deal, with $52.5 million guaranteed.
With the AJ Brown trade, it became clear that the Titans were more interested in bringing back their top defensive talent that caused many NFL offences hell last year.
Cornerback Roger McCreary was brought in during the second round of the draft, again adding depth into an important slot for the Titans.
McCreary might not be a starter for the Titans immediately, with Caleb Farley, Kristian Fulton and Elijah Molden amongst his competition. But he provides great cover in and potential.
The only major starting loss for the Titans was Rashaan Evans who moved to the Atlanta Falcons this spring.
All in all, the trade for Brown may have made the Titans weaker offensive. But the team have enough talent and potential to cope more than adequately. If Burks proves his worth this season, the team will certainly be targeting a playoff run come January.
It could be a very unpredictable year. A couple of injuries may hurt this team’s chances of making another playoff run. But if the side stays fully healthy throughout the majority of the year then the playoffs are a realistic aim for the Titans.
This could be Tannehill’s final year at the helm and we may be looking at a shift into a new era for Tennessee on the horizon.
