Tennessee Titans Awards: Predicting 2023 MVP, DPOY & More

The season has arrived. In a few short days the Tennessee Titans will begin their 2023 campaign which brings the question of who will be the top performers this season. Of course there will be familiar faces, but with nearly 50% of the roster turned over from 2022, some new faces could make a big impact as well.

Most Valuable Player - Jeffery Simmons

Simmons is already considered one of the best interior defensive lineman in the NFL, but with Aaron Donald getting older in Los Angeles and Chris Jones still not with the Kansas City Chiefs, this is the year Simmons makes it clear he is the top defensive tackle in the NFL.

Simmons has yet to reach double-digits sacks in his career and that is generally considered elite pass-rush production from an interior rusher. Simmons can get to 12 sacks this year, if healthy, and it would turn him into an undeniable force.

Not to mention, the Titans pass rush is the most impressive aspect of the entire team. The Titans will hit their ceiling if the defensive front dominates, and they can, if Simmons becomes the best in the NFL while also being the best on the Titans.

Offensive Player of the Year - DeAndre Hopkins

This is a bit of a spicy take. Conventional wisdom would point you towards Derrick Henry, but Henry alone won't be enough for the Titans to accomplish their goals. We have seen what this team can do with one elite running back and one elite wide receiver. Having that receiver is just as important as having Henry.

If Hopkins is able to put out a full season of his typical production it would change the game for the Titans. When Hopkins was signed that was discussed at length and I think it holds true. Hopkins can elevate this team to the standard they were at prior to the A.J. Brown trade. His impact on his fellow receivers would be immeasurable as well.

Defensive Player of the Year - Jeffery Simmons

See MVP.

Offensive Rookie of the Year - Peter Skoronski

The sexy pick here would be to go with rookie running back Tyjae Spears. Spears gets the ball and makes highlights, something I am sure he will continue to do in the regular season, but Skoronski will be a more important player. He will be blocking for everyone and in my opinion, will be the Titans' best offensive lineman. At a position of weakness like the offensive line is for the Titans, Skoronski's value only increases as the season goes on.

Defensive Rookie of the Year - Caleb Murphy(Otis Reese Jr)

The Titans didn't draft a rookie on the defensive side of the ball and while multiple undrafted rookies made the team on defense, none of them look like they will have consistent roles. The only logical answer is Murphy, the edge rusher who led the NFL in sacks during the preseason. If he can claim a few sacks in a rotational role during the season it would be a huge contribution.

I put Reese Jr. in here as well because I think the rookie linebacker could be the most important defensive rookie, but not because of defense. Reese Jr. will play a ton of special teams snaps this season and I think he has a chance to replicate the special teams performance of Hassan Haskins, who had 13 special teams tackles in his rookie year in 2022.

Haskins is now out for the season and on injured reserve which means the Titans will need multiple people to step up and perform better in that phase. Reese Jr. can be one of those main contributors.

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