2014 Record: 2-14
2015 Non Division Schedule: AFC East, NFC South, Cleveland, & Oakland
2014 in Review: The Titans got off to a promising start in 2014, with a 26-10 road victory at Kansas City on opening Day. Little did everyone know that the Titans would only win one more game for the rest of the season en route to a 2-14 campaign. It was another season of injury for quarterback Jake Locker, who only started five games. Injury and ineffectiveness led to Charlie Whitehurst and rookie Zach Mettenberger taking snaps for the Titans. Their offense was putrid, 30th in the league in scoring at 15.9 points per game. Only Oakland and Jacksonville were worse. Their leading rusher, Bishop Sankey only rushed for 569 yards. Their defense was also 30th in the league, so they earned their 2-14 record.
2015 Free Agency: Tennessee’s Free Agency started with the sudden retirement of Jake Locker, who hung it up after four seasons. Quarterback was not a pressing need for the Titans in Free Agency, though, so they set their sights on shoring up their defense for the upcoming season. The biggest move wasn’t even on the field. Dick LeBeau was brought on to oversee the defense. LeBeau, who had spent the past 13 seasons in Pittsburgh, gives the Titans a whole new feel. They resigned Derrick Morgan, who was being courted by Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Tampa Bay, and signed Outside Linebacker Brian Orakpo away from Washington. Orakpo is an interesting case. When healthy, he’s one of the best linebackers in the NFL, but he’s only played 24 games in the past three seasons. He played 2 in 2012 after tearing his left Pectoral muscle, and played in 7 games last year after tearing his right pectoral muscle. In his four healthy seasons, he has 38 ½ sacks and three pro bowl appearances. If Orakpo can stay healthy, he can be a huge addition to the Titans defense. Perrish Cox was also signed from San Francisco and will immediately start alongside Jason McCourty at the cornerback position.
2015 Draft: We thought the drafting of Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota would be the headline grabber of this draft class, but Tennessee threw a curve ball in round two with the drafting of Dorial Green-Beckham. Beckham had 17 touchdown receptions in his freshman and sophomore seasons at Missouri before being dismissed by the team for off the field issues. Beckham did not play a snap in 2014 before entering the draft. On talent alone, Beckham was a top 15 pick, but the off the field issues, especially in the new NFL, make this pick a major risk.
Player on the Hot Seat: It’s not a player in Tennessee, it’s a position. Every Wide Receiver on the Titans is a question mark. We mentioned Beckham, who will likely be down on the depth chart to start the season. The presumed number one is Kendall Wright, although he took a step back last year in his third season. The Titans are hoping for the leap out of him as well as from Justin Hunter, who has shown glimpses, but only has 46 catches in his two seasons in the league. Veteran receiver Harry Douglas was brought over from Atlanta to push these two, as well as Hakeem Nicks. It remains to be seen how much Nicks has left in the tank, but Douglas had a 1,000 yard season in Atlanta last year. The Titans need two of those men to step up early to give this team a fighting chance.
Players you want on your fantasy team: Bishop Sankey was a popular sleeper pick in fantasy leagues last year, but was a major disappointment. Due to him being a running back, he will get picked earlier than he should. Don’t be that guy. The best fantasy player in Tennessee is Delanie Walker. He has been the number one receiving target since he arrived in Tennessee and should be an excellent security blanket for a rookie quarterback. Mariotta has some value, but I wouldn’t suggest taking him as anything other than a bye week fill in.
Season Prediction: A rookie quarterback, a shaky running game, a questionable receiving core, and a brutal schedule add up to a long season in Nashville. SFTB Prediction: 4-12