Crimson Tide NFL Rundown: The Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a unique team in football. They continue to follow the philosophy that a great running game and strong defense wins championships. Overall, it's still a proven methodology, as it's led to four playoff appearances under head coach Mike Vrabel, but only three postseason wins.
Obviously former Alabama running back Derrick Henry remains the focal point for at least another year. In 2022, he had a rebound season from an injury-riddled 2021 with 1,538 yards and 13 touchdowns through 16 games, and finished second in league rushing behind Josh Jacobs. Ever since becoming the full-time starter in 2018, Henry has not had less than 10 touchdowns in a single season, including 2021 when he played just eight games. Meanwhile, the Titans made moves to improve the passing game for quarterback Ryan Tannehill, including signing wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who had 1,407 yards and six touchdowns during his last healthy season. Opposite of Hopkins, the Titans are looking for a big leap from second-year wide receiver Treylon Burks, who had 444 yards and a touchdown during his rookie campaign.
Defensively, the Titans have a solid pass-rush group led by defensive end Jeffery Simmons and linebacker Harold Landry III. Simmons was named to the Pro Bowl in 2022 with 54 tackles, seven-and-a-half sacks, one forced fumble, seven passes defended, nine tackles for loss, and 14 quarterback hits. Simmons is in the midst of his prime at age 26 and could help anchor the Titans defense for many years. Landry is coming off of a torn ACL during training camp last season.
Active Tennessee Titans
#38 Shyheim Carter, DB
#22 Derrick Henry, RB
Henry played for Alabama from 2013 to 2015. In 2014, Henry had 990 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns while sharing duties with third-year starter T.J. Yeldon. But in 2015, Henry carried Alabama to the national championship and won the Heisman Trophy. He finished with 2,219 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns. Henry also won the Doak Walker Award, presented to the nation's top running back; the Maxwell Player of the Year Award, presented to the nation's top college player of the year; and the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, presented to the nation's outstanding player.
Shyheim Carter has played both safety and cornerback for the Titans in the preseason, as well as special teams, to try and make the roster. He was an undrafted free agent signed by the New York Jets in 2020, and has bounced around since including on the practice squads fo the Jets, Falcons, Texans and Titans. Prior to being signed by the Texans, Carter spent roughly five months as a graduate assistant for Alabama. During his four-year playing career at Alabama, Carter had 101 tackles, three picks, two pick-sixes, 21 passes defended and two forced fumbles.
