Hidden Disasters: Two Concerning Titans Position Groups That Aren't Discussed Enough
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans' roster is not expected to be one of the more talented groups in the NFL, so it shouldn't be a surprise there are holes, but all of the talk seems to be centered around the wide receivers. Fair to be majorly concerned there, but there are two position groups that are on very thin ice and don't seem to be mentioned as often as the concern should warrant.
SAFETY
Current Group: Kevin Byard, Amani Hooker, Shyheim Carter, Mike Brown, Matthew Jackson, Tyreque Jones
When healthy, the Titans starters at safety may be the best in the league. Byard is a perennial all-pro and Hooker has a penchant for big plays. However, Hooker wasn't able to stay healthy last season, much like the rest of the Titans' roster. If that scenario happens again, or the ironman himself, Kevin Byard, misses time, the Titans will be in panic mode.
Look at the group behind the starters. It is terrifying. The foursome of Carter, Brown, Jackson and Jones have played a total of three games in the NFL. All of them coming from Brown when he played three games with the Cleveland Browns in 2022. Jackson and Jones are undrafted free agents.
The Titans have grown fond of playing three safeties on passing downs as part of their dime package. We saw this at it's peak with Dane Cruikshank in a tight-end stopper role in 2021. The Titans got some good third-safety play from Andrew Adams in 2022 and even Josh Kalu, but Adams had a devastating knee injury in Week 17 and Kalu isn't on the roster.
The Titans need to find a more talented veteran at the position immediately because Brown and Carter aren't talented enough to do the job and the UDFAs can't be counted on. Safety should be discussed more.
KICKER
Current Group: Caleb Shudak, Trey Wolff
Why is no one freaking out about the Titans' kicker position? Before Randy Bullock joined the team in 2021, the Titans' kicker situation had been a disaster since the departure of Ryan Succop in 2019. The Titans cut Bullock this offseason to free up $2 million, which was the right move, but the Titans didn't properly address the position with a cheap veteran to replace Bullock.
Instead, the Titans are rolling with second-year player Caleb Shudak and undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech Trey Wolff. Shudak was competing with Bullock for the starting kicker spot in last year's training camp, but an injury ultimately sidelined him and Bullock won by default.
It is possible Bullock would have won out regardless of the injury, but if that is true, then we should be even more worried. There is no guarantee that Shudak is any good at all at this point. Wolff could be an answer, but he will still be a rookie in the NFL if he wins the job.
The Titans have given themselves two shaky options at the position and it wouldn't be a surprise if the Titans call Bullock back in to do the job and be the steady, while also underwhelming, veteran in the room.
Titans Related Stories
- MUST WIN GAMES: The Tennessee Titans 2023 regular season schedule has been released and there are a few games on the slate that the Titans must win if they plan to make the playoffs. CLICK HERE
- TANNEHILL "Week 1 Starter": The Tennessee Titans may have draft a quarterback in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft in Will Levis, but according to a report from ESPN's Dianna Russini, Ryan Tannehill "is the starter Week 1" for the upcoming season. CLICK HERE
- FREE AGENT RECEIVERS: The Tennessee Titans finally drafted a wide receiver in the last round of the 2023 NFL draft, but the issue at the position hardly seems resolved. Here are some free agent options the Titans have that could add some value. CLICK HERE
