Tennessee Titans

We credit Pro Football Focus, STATS LLC and Football Outsiders with OL performance data

Tennessee’s offensive line was an atrocious pass-blocking unit in 2014, and only average in the run game. GM Ruston Webster has actively invested in this group from the moment he was promoted. It’s not for a lack of effort, but things just haven’t come all the way together – yet. It may be an indictment of the personnel department and their evaluations, but we think it’s more likely a matter of time until this group emerges as a positive unit.

In fact, Titans HC Ken Whisenhunt told RosterWatch at the 2015 Senior Bowl that the Tennessee coaching staff, at that point, didn’t even know the offensive line it had on its hands – as no one had ever even seen all of the team’s OL acquisitions together (and healthy) on the field at once.

The Titans signed prized free agent OG Andy Levitre in 2013. They drafted highly touted prospects Chance Warmack and Brian Schwenke in 2013, and followed that up by selecting arguably the top tackle prospect in the 2014 NFL Draft, Taylor Lewan.

Webster didn’t stop there either, as he selected two more offensive lineman this year in OG/OT Jeremiah Poutasi and C Andy Gallik, while opening the checkbook back up in free agency and inking OT’s Byron Bell and Byron Stingily. The team let movie star Michael Oher walk. At the very least, the depth of this unit appears to be bolstered. It remains to be seen exactly how good the starting five will be.

Projected Starting Lineup

Taylor Lewan, LT 6’7″ 309 pounds- Graded fairly well in 10 starts as a rookie, was lost for the season with a high-ankle sprain, is 100% recovered for 2015, was a highly acclaimed prospect coming out of Michigan, extremely intelligent but a character risk and a meathead like Richie Incognito

Andy Levitre, LG 6’2″ 303 pounds- There have been whispers he’s not a lock to make the roster to clear cap space after a poor performance in 2014, at 29 years old with a rookie QB in the fold we expect Tennessee to stand pat and cross their fingers Levitre returns to his 2013 form when he was very effective

Brian Schwenke, C 6’3″ 318 pounds- Started 11 games in 2014 before tearing his MCL, has been a relatively poor performer during his two years in the league, this explains why the team took a chance on rookie C Andy Gallik in Round 6 of this year’s draft, this may be an open competition as there has also been talk that Andy Levitre could move to C if necessary

Chance Warmack, RG 6’2″ 323 pounds- Has to keep weight under control, steadily improved from year one to year two, graded positively in 2014, still must improve pass protection, has the ability to become dominant in the run game, was a highly acclaimed first-round prospect coming out of Alabama

Jeremiah Poutasi, RT 6’5″ 335 pounds- 2015 third-round draft selection, A Top 100 rookie prospect according to NFL Draft Expert Mike Loyko, Loyko says “Poutasi is a sleeper in the 2015 NFL Draft class. Poutasi became an immediate starter at Utah and played games at both Left and Right Tackle. He’s a massive human being, standing over 6’6″ and 330 lbs. Unlike most men that size, he’s actually able to carry the weight well and move his feet smoothly. Projecting him inside he has the size, length, and mobility to be an impact OG prospect. He’s still very raw and young, but he has long-term starting OG potential. Sometimes plays too high with inconsistent leverage.”

Notes-

Right now, we know three out of the five starters are respectable NFL players with good upside. The jury is still out on the C and RT positions. Both Poutasi and Schwenke were considered solid prospects as they entered the NFL. Poutasi’s positional versatility appears key to the construction of this unit. The Titans have two veteran offensive tackles on deck if he needs to move inside to guard, or simply isn’t ready to start yet. This is a B- group with some upside, that looks like it could survive an injury.

It’s also a group that looks to be pretty adept in the run game. As we tend to say “No Sank-You” around here, we like they way things are shaping up for either David Cobb or Antonio Andrews to become a sneaky flex play by year’s end. We also expect Marcus Mariota to use his feet plenty in year one behind this offensive line. Mariota may become a sneaky fantasy QB option sooner than later if you play the matchups.

As for the pass-catchers, the only two we can really recommend at the moment are Kendall Wright and Delanie Walker. Both play to Mariota’s strengths. Rookie’s Dorial Green-Beckham and Tre McBride will be guys to keep on your watch list until we see what shakes out with alleged felonious knife-wielder and convicted pass-dropper Justin Hunter. McBride was a prospect we absolutely loved during the pre-draft process. He and DGB both have big upside. Hunter should be completely off all fantasy draft boards at this point.