If not for the Tennessee Titans’ protection taking a monumental leap ahead in 2021, it’s tough to think about head coach Mike Vrabel’s workforce clinching the No. 1 seed within the AFC.
Within the COVID-19-impacted 2020 season, the Titans completed with the Twenty fourth-best protection. Led by the second-best dashing protection in 2021, Shane Bowen’s group jumped to sixth-best within the league.
Individually, the Titans noticed just a few gamers put up All-Professional numbers.
Harold Landry tallied a career-best 12 sacks and 22 quarterback hits, Kevin Byard collected 5 interceptions and 13 passes defended, and Jeffery Simmons grew to become a family title alongside the defensive position, tallying 8.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss.
With practically everybody returning on protection in 2022, the Titans’ unit figures to complete within the top-10 once more. Nonetheless, not everyone seems to be on board with that notion.
In response to CBS’s Jared Dubin, the Titans are ‘considerably unlikely’ to have a top-10 protection in 2022.
“Tennessee had an above-average protection final season however there’s simply not sufficient high-level expertise apart from Jeffery Simmons and Kevin Byard for us to see them crashing the highest 10.”
Other than Byard, Landry and Simmons, the Titans had numerous invaluable contributors final yr.
Denico Autry, just lately dubbed as probably the most underappreciated participant on the roster, quietly completed with the second-most sacks (9) on the Titans, and David Lengthy and Zach Cunningham re-shaped the within linebacker group.
With Landry and Bud Dupree flanking the surface, the Titans’ entrance seven figures to as soon as once more be a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.
Amani Hooker, who tallied a key interception within the postseason, and Byard are seen as among the finest security duos within the Nationwide Soccer League.
If the Titans have a gap on protection, it’s their No. 2 nook again spot reverse Kristian Fulton, who was a stud in his second season.
The job was just lately vacated by the discharge of Janoris Jenkins. Caleb Farley, who continues to work again from ACL surgical procedure, will probably have a free grip on the job and will have 2022 second-round decide Roger McCreary respiration down his neck.
Well being will once more play a key function, however its tough to think about this protection not being a top-10 unit.