The Tennessee Tians have completely revamped their roster during the 2024 offseason, putting themselves in a much better position to compete after two lackluster campaigns in a row.
The two position groups that have seen the biggest improvement are cornerback and wide receiver. The Titans sport an impressive trio at both spots, with L'Jarius Sneed, Chidobe Awuzie and Roger McCreary at cornerback, and DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd at wide receiver.
So, it comes as no surprise that each of those position groups landed in the top 10 in the rankings of ESPN's Mike Clay. However, there was a third position group to find its way into the top 10 that was a surprise: offensive line.
Granted, the Titans have overhauled that group, also, adding JC Latham at left tackle in the draft and center Lloyd Cushenberry in free agency. But the unit still has question marks, with Cushenberry being the only sure thing.
Latham is a wild card as a rookie, left guard Peter Skoronski still has to solidify himself, and there's no telling what Tennessee will get out of right guard Dillon Radunz and right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere over an entire season. Radunz and NPF aren't even officially locked into those starting roles yet.
Making the ranking more surprising is the fact that the Titans are always overlooked by the national media.
But it wasn't all positive for the Titans in Clay's rankings, as four position groups landed in the bottom six, including quarterback (No. 29), tight end (No. 27), edge rusher (No. 27) and linebacker (No. 32).
Here's a look at where Clay ranked each Titans position group exactly:
QB: 29
RB: 21
WR: 8
TE: 27
OL: 9
IDL: 20
EDGE: 27
LB: 32
CB: 5
S: 11
Overall: 23
While Will Levis still has to cement himself as the long-term solution, he did show enough promise in 2023 for the Titans to get a better ranking. Not to mention, Tennessee has a strong backup in Mason Rudolph.
The Titans' edge rusher group could certainly be higher on this list thanks to the presence of Harold Landry alone, but the concern over the unit is warranted with Arden Key not being an ideal starter and the Titans having questionable depth. Making matters worse, Key looks set to be suspended for six games.
At tight end, Chigoziem Okonkwo has proven to be a serviceable starter, but the jury is still out on him overall. Josh Whyle has had a strong offseason and looks primed to have a bigger role, but he remains unproven.
The ranking for Tennessee's linebackers is fair. Kenneth Murray is set to lead the group but has concerns, and the rest of the room that also includes Jack Gibbens, Cedric Gray, Otis Reese and Chance Campbell is unproven and leaves the Titans sitting in wait-and-see mode.
