It’s Time to Take the 2024 Tennessee Titans Seriously
Credit: Tennessee Titans
By Tucker Harlin
The Tennessee Titans added to their arsenal of free agency signings Tuesday.
The Titans traded a fifth round pick to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a sixth rounder and linebacker Ernest Jones. This is the second addition of a free agent to the Titans linebacker group as they signed Kenneth Murray from the Chargers in the March free agency deadline.
With the way Tennessee drafted and the way it worked free agency back in March, I think it is absolutely in the conversation for the AFC South title in 2024.
The obvious questions now lie with Will Levis at the quarterback position.
But after having watched the offense in preseason, I think it’s clearly about to go places it hasn’t since Arthur Smith was running it back in 2020.
It’s far more loose and innovative than anything we saw under Todd Downing or Tim Kelly, whose entire playbook consisted of first and second down run plays without any intent to mix it up.
Levis looked very comfortable all preseason against other starters, and he now has a strong group of veteran receivers in DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, and Tyler Boyd to throw the ball to as opposed to the weak group he worked with in 2023.
For the most part, the offensive line is significantly better than what it was a season ago.
Lloyd Cushenberry is a tremendous upgrade at center, and now you slide Peter Skoronski into the left guard spot where he’s comfortable with rookie J.C. Latham on the left side.
The only questions I have about the offense at this point are at running back and the right side of the line.
Tony Pollard did not produce at desired levels in 2023, but I think Tyjae Spears should make up for any areas where Pollard could lack.
Saahdiq Charles' retirement in camp was a curveball, so Dillon Radunz is now the first option at right guard. I haven’t been super high on Nicholas Petit-Frere at tackle, but he’s serviceable.
I’m having a hard time finding any weak links on defense.
Up front Big Jeff is the heartbeat of your team, Sebastian Joseph-Day was a terrific free agent signing, and T’Vondre Sweat was a great draft pick.
I’ve already mentioned the two inside linebackers, and Harold Landry and Arden Key should be terrific on the outside.
Chidobe Awuzie and L’Jarius Sneed were significant upgrades over Kristian Fulton and Sean Murphy-Bunting.
Amani Hooker has been solid at safety in recent years, but the addition of Quandre Diggs is an upgrade from Elijah Molden.
The only concern I have going into this year on special teams is the returner role, but I like what I saw in Jha’Quan Jackson in the preseason.
This could be the worst take I’ve ever had by the end of the season, but I’m standing by my prediction that the Tennessee Titans are playoff contenders.