What Happened in 2020
After the Titans 2019 season ended one win away from a trip to the Super Bowl, expectations were at an all time high for Tennessee. Although the team won the division for the first time since 2008, the Titans struggled to be consistent all season. The issues mainly came on the defensive side of the football. Mike Vrabel made the widely questioned decision to not sign a defensive coordinator this season, the decision did not pay off for the former linebacker. The defense allowed a ton of points and the lack of a pass rush was obvious. With free agent signings DE Vic Beasley and DE Jadeveon Clowney underperforming, the secondary struggled on 3rd down and keeping teams out of the endzone. Offensively, Derrick Henry continued to be the best running back in the league and QB Ryan Tannehill surprised with his accurate passing and ability to run the football. In the end, the offense couldn't make up for the defenses mistakes and the team fell to Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card Round.
Team Needs
1. Defensive Line/Pass Rush
The most glaring problem for the Tennessee Titans in 2020 was the lack of a pass rush. The team swung a missed last year fixing this problem and can't afford to do it again. It doesn't matter how talented the rest of your team is if the other teams quarterback can sit in the pocket and do whatever they want.
2. Linebacker
LB Jayon Brown is set to become a free agent this year after becoming one of the best cover linebackers in the league over his 4 year tenure in Tennessee. With the teams cap problems, the Titans could be forced to let Brown walk and will leave a huge hole in the middle of the defense.
3. Wide Receiver
Wide receiver is another position that the Titans are going to struggle to retain their current players. With Corey Davis most likely leaving for a lucrative contract somewhere else, the team will also most likely have to cut ties with slot receiver Adam Humphries to save money on the cap. That leaves two open spots next to A.J. Brown that need to be filled.
Top 5 Free Agent Targets
1. WR Keelan Cole
2. OLB Matt Judon
3. ILB Avery Williamson
4. DE Denico Autry
5. QB Josh Rosen
The Future
The Tennessee Titans are in a tough spot at the moment. They are in salary cap hell, but the players they need to get better just so happen to command the most money of all positions besides quarterback. The Titans only real chance is to fill holes through the draft, and luckily they do have all seven picks in the upcoming NFL Draft. The defense obviously needs to be addresses first, but I also worry about the Titans offense next year. Derrick Henry had a great season but was terrible in the Titans only postseason game this year, and do we really trust Ryan Tannehill to have a season as great as last years again? I don't, especially when he's losing WR Corey Davis and TE Jonnu Smith. Head Coach Mike Vrabel needs to make up for his offseason misses from last year and will need to work some magic to get his team back to the playoffs next season.
2021 Prediction
9-7 2nd in the AFC South