[FREE] Investing in the Trenches
It may be un-sexy and not as exciting, but the Tennessee Titans desperately have to invest in the trenches.
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So uh…yeah…this Titans offensive line is a gigantic problem.
Coming into the season, a lot of us thought of the Titans’ offensive line as a bit of a wild card. There weren’t any splashy, big time moves made to address the gaping black holes within the unit, but there were some under the radar moves made that had some upside if things went well.
Andre Dillard and his mold as a pass protecting tackle gave fans something to think about and Daniel Brunskill’s addition as a versatile piece up front was something to keep in mind too. Sure there were some underwhelming changes like bringing in Chris Hubbard over George Fant, as well as moving Aaron Brewer to center while failing to realize he’s not a starting caliber player.
But there was some intrigue there, enough to where if enough dominoes fell the right way, this unit could’ve been one of the bigger surprises — if not the biggest — the 2023 Titans had to offer.
However, we’re in December now — months and months later from our theoretical visions about the Titans’ offensive line — and it’s very very clear that this unit hasn’t been a wild card.
Well, actually it has been, in terms of how bad the unit has looked from September until now.
They’ve been so bad in fact, that their lack of protection has gotten two Titans quarterbacks hurt this year, with rookie Will Levis being the latest victim.
There’s no way this can go on unless everyone wants to be handed a pink slip. So in order to avoid that, there has to be a full on investment into the offensive line this upcoming off-season.
However, there’s some that are pushing back on that, simply because of the fact that the Titans don’t have enough difference makers at receiver. And while that may be true, you have to put offensive line repairs as the higher priority.
Let’s discuss
Building the team inside out
Yes yes, receiver has been a big time disappointment this season.
Aside from DeAndre Hopkins, there’s been nothing but empty hope and lost time at the position. Treylon Burks has suffered from poor play, while also battling injuries that have caused him to miss regular season snaps for the second straight year.
After Burks, there hasn’t been much optimism either.
With all this being said, it’s understandable why fans want to see the receiver spot addressed early in the draft or during free agency if the necessary investments happen to get to the market — Tee Higgins, Brandon Aiyuk (if they both even get to the market).
But that should be on the backburner, at least during a scenario where the Titans don’t have the chance to add a difference-making receiver.
Why?
Because building this team inside out is in the best interests of how the Titans want to run things offensively.
Not because plugging an offensive lineman into the puzzle will satisfy the Titans’ efforts towards revitalizing their average at best running game. This team has clearly shifted towards an identity that focuses more on making the passing game feel more inclusive — passing play percentage up by 5 total percentage points this season from 50% to 55%.
But mostly because this team finally has a young quarterback that can present some optimism for the first time in what seems like years.
That should be the priority above all else, keep Will Levis upright as much as possible.
Especially after Sunday’s game against the Texans, which included Levis getting hurt due to another failure up front.
That’s why the Titans should be heavily connected to collegiate tackles like Joe Alt, like Olu Fashanu, like J.C. Latham — the next best option in case the unlikely happens the Titans, which is them somehow securing a pick to get into range for Alt or Fashanu.
That’s why the Titans should be connected to potential free agent tackles on a bit of a dime as well. Trent Brown is a name that comes to mind, and he’s probably the only one since the upcoming free agent tackle class looks kind of…..well…
And although there doesn’t appear to be any blue chip interior offensive line prospects at the moment, capital needs to be spent there accordingly.
After the offensive line has been addressed, THEN you can worry about receiver.
That’s the way it should be, don’t yell at me.
In due time
Now some might be impatient about fixing receiver, especially if they’re still traumatized over the A.J. [redacted] trade.
In that case, I completely understand. But throwing assets at a spot that isn’t priority #1 wouldn't be the best course of action.
What would be best though, it picking and choosing spots to address this spot as well. If let’s say a Tee Higgins or a Brandon Aiyuk become available via free agency or trade — trade would put the Titans at a disadvantage because of the lack of trade capital and the urgent awaiting offensive line project that’ll demand a lot of resources — then by all means go for it.
But even if that can’t be done, there’s still a looooooot of receivers to love in the upcoming draft class.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is an impossibility, but the likes of Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, Keon Coleman, Emeka Egbuka — he’d be a turn away from what the Titans have looked for in their outside receivers — would be available in the first round.
Although that won’t be on the agenda if the Titans need a tackle so…..moving on.
Later on you have Adonai Mitchell, a big body with copious amounts of speed. Xavier Legette, a physical receiver that has drawn play comparisons to A.J. [redacted], but he’ll be over 23 years old when he steps onto an NFL field and took a while to produce at the collegiate level.
Brian Thomas Jr. of LSU — 6’4, has some impressive speed, and has the ability to pick the football out of the air, sounds like a fit for a deep ball happy Will Levis right? — and Troy Franklin — deep threat that possesses speed the Titans don’t have right now — from Oregon could all be later round options for the Titans as well…if luck falls in their favor.
The point is, the Titans don’t have to rush to fix the receiver spot.
There’s options available, and while there aren’t a ton of high end ones, if you can walk away with a prospect that has the tools you can help mold, then there shouldn’t be much of a problem.
Patience is a virtue.
Overview
The Titans’ offseason plan shouldn’t be the sexiest and it shouldn’t be the flashiest.
But it should be the most effective when it comes to protecting their young quarterback. You can aggressively target receivers, but it’ll all amount to nothing in the end if you simply can’t protect your signal caller.
With loads of cap space, but not a lot of draft assets, the Titans will be tasked with maneuvering through a peculiar type of offseason.
It could go multiple ways, but we know the way it should go.
Invest in the meat.
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