Bring Them Back: Skill Position Players on Offense Who Must Return to Tennessee Titans in 2024
The Tennessee Titans sit at 4-8 ahead of a Monday Night Football matchup with the 9-3 Miami Dolphins who sport the best record in the AFC and one of the NFL's most deadly offensive attacks. Odds are not great that the 2023 Titans make a playoff run and that means it is time to look ahead to 2024.
The rest of the season should be about who can help this team in 2024. We should look at the remainder of the schedule as auditions for next year's team. With that in mind, who do we know right now will be back or should be back with the Titans? Let's take a look at skill positions on the offensive side of the ball.
Quarterback: Will Levis
Will Levis will get the opportunity to be the Titans' quarterback of the future most likely. Levis has had his rookie mistakes and hasn't won a lot of games, but you don't need a scouts' eye to see the flashes Levis has shown so far.
Yes, that means Malik Willis is not someone I consider a need to have back. First, Willis will likely want a change of scenery after being passed by Levis this year and the Titans should want to be a veteran backup with Levis to compliment him and the situation better.
Running Back: Tyjae Spears
Tyjae Spears has been electric all season in a secondary role to Derrick Henry, but we all got a taste of what Spears can do as the lead back at the end of the Titans' loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 13. Spears went for 16 carries and 75 rushing yards, proving he can be a lead back, even if he likely will need to be a part of a committee approach.
Henry did not make my list. Henry could return to the team, but it needs to be on a much-reduced deal and with the understanding the offense isn't going to be tailored to him. The Titans need to evolve on offense from Derrick Henry being the offense, to him being a weapon within it. His $16 million cap hit is far too expensive and a deal at half of that per year could make sense for both sides.
Wide Receiver: DeAndre Hopkins, Kyle Philips, Chris Moore
DeAndre Hopkins has shown he can be a reliable target and a consistent playmaker when given the opportunity and at $15 million on the cap in 2024, Hopkins would be a good value as a WR2. He just can't be expected to be a WR1 on a great team. Hopkins as your second or third option would make for an incredible group.
Kyle Philips was a healthy scratch in Week 13 which is not a good sign for his future, but a player with Philips' skillset is a valuable tool in the tool box and if he can find his footing as a returner with less expected from him as a receiver, maybe he can find a way to keep a spot.
Chris Moore has proven he has the ability to make explosive plays on offense and can be used as a returner on special teams. He is willing to block, but can also make plays down the field. If Chris Moore is your fifth or sixth-best receiver, you are in good shape.
Treylon Burks is an absence here. Burks has not shown the ability to stay on the field or make plays consistently when on it. The Titans got calls about Burks prior to this year's trade deadline and while they would be looking at a day-three pick for a former first-rounder, if the Titans add a receiver in free agency and in the draft, moving Burks for a pick, no matter the value, might be for the best.
Tight End: Chig Okonkwo, Josh Whyle
This position is simple. Chig Okonkwo has had a disappointing year, but the fault is not all his. To be honest though, it's seems to be a reality that Okonkwo won't ever be a reliable enough blocker to be a fulltime TE1. Regardless, Okonkwo can be a valuable rotational weapon and with him and Whyle still on rookie contracts, they are locks to return.
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