Forgotten Titans: Contributors We Might Be Sleeping On

Let's talk about a few guys who are flying a bit under the radar, but could play important roles in 2023.

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Okay, maybe ‘Forgotten Titans’ is just a tad bit melodramatic, but doesn’t it just sound like a cool name for a column? I think so. Anyway, it’s an exciting time for Titans fans. I know there’s an entire subset of this fan base that just seems to want to wallow in self-pity, and can’t seem to shake the prickly feelings of how the 2022 season ended. You do you.

But, I’m over here on the other side of the fence after listening to yesterday’s episode of A Football Show, brought to you by Sinkers Beverages and The Kingston Group. Hearing Braden share what he’s seen at Titans practice this week had me ready to run through a brick wall and then call The Kingston Group to come fix it.

But, my optimism for this team preceded that fine podcast episode. I’m just not as down on this team as everyone else seems to be. I’m reading 2024 mock drafts, and seeing people mock the Titans with the 3rd overall pick, and I’m flabbergasted by it. Some people are acting like it would take nothing short of divine intervention….some drastic extenuating circumstances and downright luck for this team to be any good in 2023.

In fact, this team withstood catastrophic extenuating circumstances in 2022, and it STILL had a shot at the postseason in the 4th quarter of the final game of the season. If one play swings a different way, the complexion of this offseason is entirely different.

I like to think that in my 10 years of doing this, I’ve built a reputation as someone who isn’t just a blind homer. I’ve covered this team objectively through the run to the AFC Championship. I’ve covered this team objectively through the Ken Whisenhunt years. I don’t say this lightly - this team is going to be better than you think.

I’ll grant you that the offensive line issue hasn’t been proven to be fixed yet. No issue with that argument whatsoever. What I would say is that this could still be the 25th best offensive line in the league, and it would be an improvement over 2022. It’s possible that that’s good enough to get the Titans into the playoffs in this division. That’s a projection - I’m not saying that’s based on what we’ve actually seen. Same with the pass catchers.

I’m patting my chest here and saying “it’s on me” if those two things are wrong. But, the worried crowd is also talking about depth again…despite depth being an issue for each of the last two seasons, one of which saw the Titans claim the #1 overall seed in the AFC playoffs. In short, “I hear ya, pal,” but this team has some strong and gritty DNA, and now we’re seeing the front office pair modern analytics with it and we’re seeing the offensive coaches modernize the offense to go with it, too. There is reason for optimism.

Nonetheless, the discourse at this point in the summer seems to be built around the star players whose longterm status with the team is in question - your Tannehills, Henrys, and Byards. We’re working some free agent additions in there - your Dillards, your Keys, and your Murphy-Buntings. And, we’re talking about the young bucks - your Skoronskis, Levises, and Spearses. But, beyond that, aside from the occasional Azeez Al-Shaair lovefest on A Football Show, the conversation stalls.

And, well…I need to be a little self-aware here…maybe most Titans fans are cool with that, and I’m the only complete lunatic that is combing over the roughly 100 dudes currently in the building and craving my John Ojukwu coverage. I’ll pat myself on the chest again and add another “yeah, this might just be a me thing.” But, this is where I tie these two things I’ve discussed here today together - depth is a concern for this roster heading into 2023 among the detractors of the “Titans 17-0 Super Bowl champs” crowd, but there are some guys who are already on the roster that could provide the depth the team needs.

Man, I love it when two threads come together to make a knot. Let’s ride, baby.

Chris Jackson

I originally had Tre Avery in this spot, but hearing Braden talk about how Jackson is getting the reps at corner in Kristian Fulton’s absence made me switch gears here. I like Jackson. He was thrown into the fire early on in his career, and maybe that left the wrong first impression upon Titans fans, but he has some talent, he’s versatile, and can be trusted to execute his job. Jackson and Avery both had a bit of a trial by fire. Avery was absolutely cooked by the Buffalo Bills, but managed to turn it around and become a steady contributor by season’s end. At this point, Jackson is a seasoned vet. Originally a 7th round pick out of Marshall in 2020, Jackson has hung around on this roster.

Now, let me get into the reason I bring all three of these cornerbacks up. We know Sean Murphy-Bunting is likely going to have a spot. We’re hearing that Roger McCreary is primarily playing the slot, which he may be better suited for from a physical standpoint. We think Kristian Fulton has the other outside corner spot locked down. But, man…I know this isn’t exactly groundbreaking authoritative journalism…something just feels off.

Fulton’s been off doing yoga in the offseason. Vrabel is getting a little prickly when reporters are asking about his injury. That ‘8-4 guys’ press conference is still lingering in the back of my mind. It may be little more than reckless speculation, but there’s a palpable tension hanging in the air around Fulton that makes me wonder if he’s on a shorter leash than we realize, or if he’s even in this team’s longterm plans altogether.

That is the biggest reason we may be sleeping on Avery, Farley, and Jackson. If any, all, or some combination of these guys have to step up in Fulton’s absence, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Caleb Farley