Talking Titans Offensive Line, For Better Or Worse In 2023

NASHVILLE - As the final curtain fell on the 2022 NFL season, one of the most significant needs for the Tennessee Titans was to improve their offense as a whole and their offensive line in particular.

Granted, injuries played a large part in this group's struggles, but so too did poor play from those who were forced to step into starting roles after the loss of starters to those injuries.

Gone from last season's opening-day starting lineup are Taylor Lewan, Ben Jones, and Nate Davis, meaning that the Titans had at least three holes to fill, and those three were the best three linemen this team had.

Also gone is Dennis Daly, who stepped in to replace Lewan after his week one season-ending injury, though considering his play, most think that an upgrade.

That leaves Nicholas Petite-Frere as the only returning starter. While he was somewhat abandoned during his rookie season because of the struggles of the left tackle position, there are serious questions about the second-year tackle.

Enter free agent additions in tackle Andre Dillard, and utility man Daniel Brunskill, who has played every position across the offensive line. Add to that rookie draft picks Peter Skoronski and Jaelyn Duncan to the mix.

Of course, Dillon Radunz remains on the roster and will have the chance to compete.

So how will this line up?

Aaron Brewer returns and is slotted to replace Jones as the man in the middle, though Corey Levin could challenge him for that position.

Dillard, a former first-round pick, was signed away from Philadelphia, where he had been a career backup behind arguably the best line in the league. While he emphatically stated he intended to win the left tackle spot for the Titans, it's not a given that he will do that, though he will have the opportunity in the coming months.

Brunskill, who logged starter's minutes across multiple positions with San Francisco, is likely headed for a starter's role at one of the guard positions. However, he could face some competition as well.

Skoronski, while very likely to step into an immediate starting role as a first-round rookie, it's unclear exactly which position he will fill. He is drafted as a left tackle, and many believe he will become a guard.

Petite-Frere is penciled in to return to right tackle, though Duncan and others will likely be able to compete for this spot. It would be a win for the Titans should the second-year tackle hold onto his starting role so that the entire offensive line is not all new this season.

OUTLOOK

Dillard and Brunskill are career backups, though both could be ready to step up their games and become quality starters. However, it remains to be seen that they can jump to the level needed for this team to improve. Both may earn starting roles, though Dillard's could be at tackle or guard.

Brunskill will get the first crack at one of the guard spots, while Radunz is an option at the other entering minicamp.

Skoronski is likely the most talented among this entire group, but he is a rookie and will probably have moments where he looks as much, but he will start at left tackle or guard.

There are questions about Brewer, though he did look to have bulked up from last season when he spoke with the media shortly after the draft's conclusion. Is he big and strong enough to be the anchor in the middle this season?

Petite-Frere should hold serve as the right tackle, though it's not guaranteed, as Duncan and Jamarco Jones will be there with him.

CONCLUSION

It's hard to imagine that this line will be much better early on than their predecessor of a season ago. Brewer has big shoes to fill, and it's conceivable he could struggle, though his confidence level seems high, which you want from a player, especially if they are going to be the group leader.

Still, there is significant uncertainty about how Dillard will handle his chance at left tackle. If he steps up to the moment and allows Skoronski to begin and remain at guard, it would go a long way toward improving this unit.

Radunz-or whoever wins the other guard spot, and Petite-Frere must show a marked improvement regardless, and even then, there are no guarantees.

In short, at least at this point, it's hard to see how this line will be a significant improvement considering the questions that exist and how important it is for an offensive line to tell as a group.

While the possibility is there, at least for the moment, I'm not high on the state of this unit entering this season.

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