Titans preview: Marcus Mariota on the mend, but AFC South crown within reach
Training camps are still in the distance, but USA TODAY Sports is providing five things you need to know about every team in the NFL to catch you up on the offseason. Today, the Tennessee Titans ...
1. Mariota is still in recovery mode
Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota is entering his third season in the NFL, but he has yet to complete a full 16-game season because of injuries. He has spent the offseason recovering from surgery to repair a broken right leg bone suffered in the second-to-last game of the regular season. The Titans think Mariota will be healthy in time to participate in training camp and the season opener. Backup Matt Cassel is also on the mend after undergoing surgery on his throwing hand.
2. The receiving corps has been revitalized by rookies
The Titans ranked 25th in passing offense last season, with wide receiver Rishard Matthews, tight end Delanie Walker and running back DeMarco Murray serving as the most productive players catching the ball. Tennessee made surrounding Mariota with greater receiving talent a priority, using three of its first four draft picks on pass catchers. The Titans drafted former Western Michigan wide receiver Corey Davis with the fifth overall pick. They traded up to select former Western Kentucky wide receiver Taywan Taylor in the third round and drafted former Florida International tight end Jonnu Smith. Taylor is expected to primarily work out of the slot.
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3. The secondary also has a new look
The Titans had one of the worst-rated pass defenses in the league in 2016. Jason McCourty and Perrish Cox were the starting corners at the beginning of the season, but Tennessee should have three new starters in the secondary this year. The Titans signed former New England Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan and former Jacksonville Jaguars strong safety Johnathan Cyprien in free agency, then used their second pick, the 18th overall selection in the first round, on former Southern California cornerback Adoree’ Jackson. Kevin Byard, a 2016 third-round pick, also is in the picture at free safety.
4. The run game should return strong in 2017
Despite the team’s shortcomings on the perimeter of the field, the Titans experienced the greatest single-season turnaround in franchise history, finishing with a 9-7 record after going 3-13 (tied for the worst mark in the league) in 2015. The Titans’ third-ranked running game was a huge reason for the team’s success. Murray, who was acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles and led the AFC in rushing yards, returns as the workhorse back. Bruising former Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry, a second-round pick last year, will continue to serve as the top backup, providing a devastating one-two punch behind an offensive line that Pro Football Focus ranked as the best in the league.
5. The AFC South still poses problems
The Titans tied the Houston Texans atop the AFC South but missed the division title and playoffs on a tiebreaker. Tennessee finished 2-4 in the division, with the wins against Jacksonville and Houston, the last one coming in a relatively meaningless regular-season finale. The Titans also have lost 16 of the last 17 against the Colts.
Wolf also writes for The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network.
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