The Tennessee Titans have spent a lot of time and effort — and money — trying to keep much of their 2021 roster intact.
Beginners such as outside linebacker Harold Landry, quarterback Ben Jones and tight end Jeff Swim were re-signed with two specialists, kicker Randy Bullock and longtime snapper Morgan Cox. So were role players such as running back Dontrell Hilliard, Cornerback Buster Skrine and outside linebacker Ola Adeniyi.
Change is inevitable in the NFL, however, when the players gather at the team’s training facility next week to begin a volunteer off-season program, there will be holes in the lineup to fill.
Here’s a summary of the jobs that are guaranteed to have a different start in 2022, and the player is currently in line to take that spot.
wide future
Outside: Julius Jones
at: Robert Woods
Woods’ professional reception numbers can’t be compared to Jones’s, and he never made a Pro Bowl. But he is three years younger than him and has been throughout his career – until the knee ligament tear that ended the 2021 season after nine games, ie. It also offers more versatility in situations than the taller, longer stride Jones did. Woods won’t be asked to do the same things Jones has been doing, but if he can get — and stay — healthy for the majority of the season, that will be an upgrade.
left guard
Outside: Roger Savold
at: Aaron Brewer
Savold struggled with injuries and played well enough last season that he won the Pro Bowl (injury substitute) for the first time. Brewer was an unpolished free agent in 2020, serving as a key player or in-game substitute for Saffold (also center and right keeper) when he was wanted for the past two seasons. Brewer is 6-foot-1,295 pounds, which means the line loses some volume on the inside, but he’s more athletic than your everyday blocker, making him a tantalizing choice beside hyper-athletic left-footed Taylor Lewan. However, there is almost no way this is an upgrade.
correct intervention
Outside: David Cosinberry
Go to follow
at: Dillon Radones
This time last year, Quessenberry wasn’t expected to be the kicker, but in the end he played more shots than anyone else in attack. By default, Radunz is currently the best option to replace it, but it is by no means a lock. The fact that he was a selection for the second round last year and that he didn’t embarrass himself initially that he did as a rookie (on left tackle) is likely to convince the coaches to take the leap of faith and view this as a job to lose. Quessenberry had his limitations but knew how to minimize them. Radunz has the sportsmanship to be a massive upgrade, but the fact that no one is sure if Intervention is his best position in the NFL means the exact opposite may also be true.
Run backup
Outside: Darrenton Evans
at: Dontrell Hilliard
That’s a change that was really solidified at the end of last season when Jeremy McNichols was cut, and Hilliard served as a third down/quick change at the end of the regular season and playoff. There has been much optimism about Evans, his third-round pick in 2020, over the past two seasons, but injuries have prevented his NFL career from taking off. Hilliard spent half of last season with Tennessee and now has the best chance of his five-year career. The only way it’s not a huge upgrade is if he sustains a catastrophic injury.
INSIDE LINEBACKER
Outside: Rashan Evans
at: Zach Cunningham
This is another change that was already implemented by the end of last season. Cunningham is an instinctive player and has better speed than Evans. He quickly settled into the defense after his abdication was demanded from Houston in December and led the defense with ten interventions in a playoff loss to Cincinnati. With a full off season to work with these coaches and teammates, it should be a notable upgrade throughout the regular season.
corn
Outside: jackrabeet jenkins
at: Caleb Farley
Jenkins had his limitations but was a tireless competitor and had the short memory required for the job. Farley has eye-catching physical qualities that make people interested in his potential. He also has a long and troubling injury history, including shoulder and knee issues that determined the 2021 first round selection with three games played as a starter. Likewise, his college career was relatively short, so he didn’t have a lot of experience to count on. In the long run, this could be a huge upgrade, but in 2022, there’s almost no way this will be the case.