Category: Scouting Reports

Firings:

✔️ Todd Downing: Simply put, Downing has absolutely been atrocious for this Tennessee Titans offense. The Titans are bottom five in almost every single category on offense outside of pure rushing statistics (due to Derrick Henry). There is no creativity in the offense, once you’ve seen one Titans game you’ve seen all of them, from a play-calling perspective nothing changes from week to week. It’s the same game plan, the same play calls, and the same mediocre results. The Titans need to modernize this offense. They have to bring in someone with a better understanding of modern offenses and is willing to push the pace, utilize play action, and get back to the Titans offense we saw dominate the NFL in 2020.

✔️ Keith Carter: This is long overdue. Whether the Offensive line struggles are Carter’s fault or not, something needs to be done. This offensive line has been a bottom-third line in the NFL statistically speaking for the last three seasons and it just keeps getting worse year after year. Some of the personnel decisions up front have been baffling to say the least over the last few seasons. Such as the continual trust in Dennis Daley who was one of the worst linemen in the NFL statistically and was single-handedly responsible for the killing of multiple Titans offense possessions this season. Simply put, change needs to happen upfront.

Frank Piraino, Brian Bell, Todd Toriscelli, and Matt Gregg: The Titan’s injuries in the last few seasons have almost been legitimately unbelievable. When you take a look at the number of players on IR, the number of games missed by starters, and the number of overall players used due to injury, the Titans have topped those lists by a mile in the last two seasons and it hasn’t even been close. One season with injury after injury is one thing, but two seasons in a row where a team is leading the league in every single category injury-wise, someone needs to be held accountable even if you can’t directly prove it’s on the strength and conditioning coaches or on the athletic training staff. This isnt really an issue that has a provable cause, but you won’t know if there is a solution unless action is taken and some staff in these areas are fired and replaced.

Top Offensive Coordinator Candidates:

Joe Brady (33) – Bills Quarterbacks Coach

Andrew Janocko (34) – Bears Quarterback Coach

Brian Johnson (35) – Eagles Quarterbacks Coach

Alex Tanney (35) – Eagles Assistant Quarterbacks Coach/Offensive Assistant Coach

Bobby Slowik (35) – 49ers Offensive passing game coordinator

Brian Hartline (36) – Ohio State Passing Game Coordinator and Wide Receivers Coach

Sherrone Moore (36) – Michigan Universities Co-Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach

Brian Callahan (38) – Bengals Offensive Coordinator

Tanner Engstrand (40) – Lions Tight ends coach & passing game coordinator

Kevin Patullo (41) – Eagles Passing game coordinator

Dave Canales (41) – Seahawks Quarterbacks Coach

Frank Smith (41) – Dolphins Offensive Coordinator

Wes Welker (41) – Dolphins Wide Receivers Coach

Kliff Kingsbury (43) – Former Cardinals Head Coach

Matt Nagy (44) – Chiefs Senior assistant & quarterbacks coach

Brian Griese (47) – 49ers Quarterbacks Coach

Joel Thomas (48) – Saints Runningbacks Coach

James Urban (49) – Ravens Quarterbacks Coach

Mark Brunell (52) – Lions Quarterbacks Coach

Darrell Bevell (53) – Dolphins Quarterbacks coach & passing game coordinator

Todd Monken (56) – Georgia Bulldogs Offensive Coordinator

Top Offensive Line Coach Candidates:

Harry Hiestand – Notre Dame Offensive Line Coach

Sherrone Moore – Michigan Universities Co-Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach

Russ Grimm – Former Titans Offensive Line Coach

Mike Munchak – Former Titans Offensive Line Coach

Bruce Matthews – Former Titans Offensive Line Coach

Ryan Wendell – Bills Assistant Offensive Line Coach

Corey Matthaei – Chiefs Assistant Offensive Line Coach

James Cregg – 49ers Assistant Offensive Line Coach

Top General Manager Candidates:

Jon Ferrari – Eagles Assistant GM

Alec Halaby – Eagles Assistant GM

JoJo Wooden – Chargers Director of Player Personnel

Mike Borgonzi – Chiefs Assistant GM

Shelton Quarles – Buccaneers Director of Football Operations

Jeff Ireland – Saints Assistant GM

Jim Overdorf – Bills Senior Advisor to GM/Football Operations

Ian Cunningham – Bears Assistant GM

Ran Carthon – 49ers Director of Player Personnel

Adam Peters – 49ers Assistant General Manager

Quarterback Situation:

Not Many Options here:

• Cut Tannehill, Roll with Malik as the starter, and bring in some competition for a lower salary
• Keep Tannehill and let Malik develop another season
• Cut Tannehill and bring in a veteran on a one or two-year deal to fill in as a starter until Malik is ready (This is only if the Coaching staff and new GM think its time for a major change Offensively and they can get a serviceable QB in free agency on a cheap deal. I don’t see this happening.)
• Cut Tannehill, trade up, and Draft a QB in the upcoming draft if they think Malik isn’t the QB of the future

Malik Willis has proven he has all the tools to be an electric Quarterback in this league, I just don’t think he’s proven he’s developed enough to take over as an NFL starter. Tannehill is serviceable, and with decent pass protection, he’s proven he can even be a top-tier game manager (perhaps top 15 in the NFL). I don’t believe Tannehill is anywhere near the problem. This Offensive Line has been atrocious this season, ranked 32nd in the NFL through week 18 by PFF. Tennessee’s line is the third-most penalized group in the NFL — they have been flagged 36 times as a group and are tied for the lowest average yards before contact figure in the NFL (0.8 yards). They cant pass block or run block. Any criticisms directed toward the Quarterbacks should immediately be shifted and directed toward this atrocious offensive line. The only two linemen for the Titans with a positive grade this season are Ben Jones and Nate Davis.

Options if you go with a QB in free agency to save some money:

(Stats averaged over last four seasons)

• *Teddy Bridgewater (67.6 Cmp%, 2.0 Int%, 93.8 QBRate)
• Baker Mayfield (60.7 Cmp%, 2.8 Int%, 84.5 QBRate)
• *Gardner Minshew II (62.8 Cmp%, 1.6 Int%, 93.1 QBRate)
• Taylor Heinicke (63.8 Cmp%, 2.9 Int%, 85.7 QBRate)
• Case Keenum (62.8 Cmp%, 2.3 Int%, 84.1 QBRate)
• *Jacoby Brissett (62.1 Cmp%, 1.5 Int%, 85.8 QBRate)

The only way cutting Tannehill makes sense is if the front office thinks they can get another serviceable quarterback in free agency on a cheap enough deal to where cutting Tannehill makes sense. Now there aren’t many quarterbacks that are hitting the market that are also serviceable enough to win games and be substantially cheaper than Tannehill (or cheaper enough to make the cap hit worth cutting him). Tom Brady will want substantial money, Geno Smith is likely to go back to Seattle on a big deal, and Jimmy Garoppolo has earned a nice paycheck and is also rumored to want to go back to the 49ers. Those three are by far the top quarterbacks in the free agency market this season. Now when you look at the tier 2 players that could step in you see names like Jacoby Brissett, Andy Dalton, Baker Mayfield, Taylor Heinicke, Baker Mayfield, Teddy Bridgewater, Gardner Minshew, Case Keenum, etc.
When breaking it down by statistics, there are only four or five quarterbacks in that second-tier that put up numbers (in the last four years) that could be considered starting quality. Those names are Teddy Bridgewater, Gardner Minshew, Taylor Heinicke, Case Keenum, Baker Mayfield, and Jacoby Brissett. Now, where this argument for bringing in a new quarterback in the offseason breaks down is that Ryan Tannehill beats out all of those quarterbacks in almost every single statistical category. While Teddy Bridgewater and Gardner Minshew’s quarterback ratings are well above average, Tannehill’s quarterback rating is still eight points above theirs. If the coaching staff and the new management staff think that the quarterback position needs to change in the offseason I wouldn’t necessarily understand it unless the team could save a lot of money and still bring in someone like Bridgewater or Minshew to fill in that role for a year two. The most likely outcome here is the Titans restructure and resign Tannehill to a one or two-year extension in the offseason and might look to draft a Quarterback if one falls to them at pick 11 or they see an opportunity to trade up. If they don’t draft one this offseason, they might look to draft one of the top Quarterbacks in 2024. The last, and perhaps most far-fetched option, is the Titans find some way to dump Tannehill in the offseason and are able to bring in Tom Brady via free agency or Aaron Rodgers via trade with the Green Bay Packers. Tom Brady is known to have a very friendly relationship with head coach Mike Vrabel and might have some interest in joining the Titans in the offseason if they could find some way to work out a deal. Aaron Rodgers to Tennessee has been speculated recently and with new management coming into Tennessee, they might look to pull off a big deal once all the front office staff is finalized and they can get to work negotiating and evaluating what they want to do with the roster.

Offensive Line:

When you watched the Titans play this season it was apparent what the biggest hole in the roster was, and that was the offensive line. This line gave up the most sacks per dropback, the most pressures per drop back, and the most negative run plays in the league and was ranked 32nd in almost every category. To put it bluntly, they were historically bad. Now with the inevitable release of LT Taylor Lewan, and the probable retirement of Center Ben Jones, the Titans will be looking for a new starter in just about every position on the Line this offseason besides Right Tackle. The Titans need to address the problems on the O-Line in the Draft as well as Free Agency, so let’s take a look at the starting quality Linemen that will be on the open market that the Titans should consider bringing in.

(All stats are an average of the player’s last three years in the league. I will only show players with above-average stats that would make quality starters in my eyes for the Tennessee Titans or any team in the NFL)

Best Statistical Offensive Guards Currently Available in 2023 Free Agency:

Ben Powers:

Powers is a swing tackle who has really impressed the past few seasons. Playing at both left guard and right guard he has shown his ability to be an outstanding pass protector as well as an above-average run blocker (which you have to be to play in that Baltimore system). He has taken over the starting left guard role in Baltimore and would make a great addition to any offensive line. With him being only 26 years old, he could be the Titans starting guard for years to come.

LG/RG

26 Years Old

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Sack Allowed: 438 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hit Allowed: 329 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hurry Allowed: 41 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Pressure Allowed: 34 Snaps

Offensive Snaps per Penalty: 297 Snaps

PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 73.7 Average

PFF Run Blocking Grade: 57.2 Average

Isaac Seumalo:

The former third-round pick Seumalo has played just about every position on the Eagle’s offensive line since being drafted in 2016. Playing mostly inside, he has shown how solid of a pass protector he is boasting an average pass protection grade of 79.2 his past three seasons combined. Seumalo is one of the most versatile linemen in Free Agency this offseason and would make a great addition to the Titan’s offensive line no matter where they decide to play him.

LG/RG/RT/C

29 Years Old

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Sack Allowed: 224 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hit Allowed: 280 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hurry Allowed: 37 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Pressure Allowed: 29 Snaps

Offensive Snaps per Penalty: 165 Snaps

PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 79.2 Average

PFF Run Blocking Grade: 66.3 Average

Dalton Risner:

While PFF isn’t exactly foolproof, you can use their grades to help back up your assumptions about a player and can use their grades to aid in your evaluation of stasticts. When you look at the former second-round pick Risner, he has never had a season where he averages below a 69 grade for pass protection. His pass protection grades are some of the most consistent around the league and his stasticts back that up as well. He almost never commits penalties (just three called penalties in the past 3 seasons combined) and is still young enough to be the Titan’s starting left guard for the duration of his contract. If he hits the open market, he immediately becomes one of the most dependable linemen in free agency.

LG

27 Years Old

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Sack Allowed: 244 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hit Allowed: 101 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hurry Allowed: 32 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Pressure Allowed: 22 Snaps

Offensive Snaps per Penalty: 932 Snaps

PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 71.9 Average

PFF Run Blocking Grade: 56.7 Average

Will Hernandez:

Coming out of college Will Hernandez was considered a high first-round lock. He ended up falling just out of the first round and was drafted by the New York Giants with the 34th overall pick. While Hernandez hasn’t lived up to his expectations, he hasn’t been a total bust either. Will has definitely had his ups and downs in the league but has been able to put together some really good games in his career. Hernandez has consistently struggled with consistency in his career. In Arizona’s first 7 games this season, he gave up a total of 22 pressures, in their final 6 games he only gave up a total of 3 pressures. If he can lock in and get more consistent with his blocking technique, he has the talent to be a starting swing guard in the NFL.

LG/RG

27 Years Old

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Sack Allowed: 140 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hit Allowed: 119 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hurry Allowed: 30 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Pressure Allowed: 20 Snaps

Offensive Snaps per Penalty: 148 Snaps

PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 61.6 Average

PFF Run Blocking Grade: 59.2 Average

Nate Herbig:

Herbig is another versatile interior lineman who should be on the Titan’s radar. Herbig signed with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent out of Stanford in 2019 and has been a starter ever since his second year in the league. He bounced around from left guard to right guard for the Eagles and also this season for the Jets. Had four games this season where he didn’t give up a single QB pressure. With Herbig being only 24 years old, he’s as young as some rookies the titans would be looking at drafting but comes with four years of NFL experience. If the Jets let him hit the open market, he’s a solid long-term option for the interior of the O-Line.

RG/LG/C

24 Years Old

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Sack Allowed: 424 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hit Allowed: 181 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hurry Allowed: 29 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Pressure Allowed: 20 Snaps

Offensive Snaps per Penalty: 116 Snaps

PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 64.8 Average

PFF Run Blocking Grade: 64.1 Average

Nick Gates:

While Gates doesn’t provide the experience some of the other players might, he definitely adds quality and potential. Gates hasn’t started many games in the last few seasons, but in the ones he has played in he’s been a very quality offensive lineman. He is an extremely versatile Lineman who has played 4 out of the 5 lineman positions in the NFL. Has over 200 snaps at right tackle, over 1,000 snaps at center, and over 300 snaps at guard. In his time in the NFL, Gates has only allowed two sacks in his entire career. Even if the Titans don’t plan on starting Gates, he would be a tremendous backup for almost every position on the line.

C/LG/RT/RG

27 Years Old

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Sack Allowed: 887 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hit Allowed: 296 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hurry Allowed: 39 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Pressure Allowed: 33 Snaps

Offensive Snaps per Penalty: 118 Snaps

PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 60.1 Average

PFF Run Blocking Grade: 62.9 Average

Andrew Wylie:

Wylie is a versatile lineman who has over 1,000 snaps played at both right tackle and right guard as well as over 500 snaps played at left guard in his career. The veteran Lineman started his career as an offensive guard and has since moved to tackle in the past three seasons. When you take a look back at his career, his best season as a blocker came in 2019 when the Chiefs had him playing left guard. He allowed just 8 hurries all season but was then moved to right guard the following season which didn’t fit his play as much as the left side did.

RT/RG/LG

28 Years Old

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Sack Allowed: 266 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hit Allowed: 100 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hurry Allowed: 33 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Pressure Allowed: 23 Snaps

Offensive Snaps per Penalty: 238 Snaps

PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 67.2 Average

PFF Run Blocking Grade: 59.1 Average

Connor McGovern:

LG/RG/C

25 Years Old

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Sack Allowed: 194 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hit Allowed: 97 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hurry Allowed: 32 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Pressure Allowed: 22 Snaps

Offensive Snaps per Penalty: 502 Snaps

PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 67 Average

PFF Run Blocking Grade: 56.7 Average

Max Scharping:

Scharping is a former second-round pick of the Houston Texans. While Scharping hasn’t had the most successful career in the NFL thus far, he hasn’t shown anything so bad that he should be written off as a career backup just yet. He is still only 26 years old and honestly has been an above-average pass blocker most of his time in the NFL. With all that happened in his time in Houston with multiple coaching changes, QB controversies, and not having the best offensive coordinators, a fresh start will be good for the ’19 second-round pick. As of me writing this breakdown, Scharping is about to be thrust into a starting role with the Bengals as they enter the playoffs due to their starting guard Alex Cappa going down with an injury. If he performs well, that might get him on the Titan’s radar for a potential signing this offseason.

LG/RG

26 Years Old

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Sack Allowed: 222 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hit Allowed: 166 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hurry Allowed: 30 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Pressure Allowed: 23 Snaps

Offensive Snaps per Penalty: 189 Snaps

PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 62.4 Average

PFF Run Blocking Grade: 52.6 Average

Best Statistical Centers Currently Available in 2023 Free Agency:

Garrett Bradbury:

C

27 Years Old

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Sack Allowed: 189 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hit Allowed: 99 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hurry Allowed: 32 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Pressure Allowed: 21 Snaps

Offensive Snaps per Penalty: 173 Snaps

PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 50.2 Average

PFF Run Blocking Grade: 69.5 Average

Bradley Bozeman:

C/LG/RG

28 Years Old

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Sack Allowed: 223 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hit Allowed: 313 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hurry Allowed: 39 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Pressure Allowed: 30 Snaps

Offensive Snaps per Penalty: 353 Snaps

PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 63.2 Average

PFF Run Blocking Grade: 67.2 Average

Ethan Pocic:

C/LG/RG

27 Years Old

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Sack Allowed: 239 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hit Allowed: 205 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hurry Allowed: 43 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Pressure Allowed: 31 Snaps

Offensive Snaps per Penalty: 783 Snaps

PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 58.6 Average

PFF Run Blocking Grade: 72.3 Average

Best Statistical Offensive Tackles Currently Available in 2023 Free Agency:

Orlando Brown Jr:

LT/RT

26 Years Old

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Sack Allowed: 186 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hit Allowed: 102 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Hurry Allowed: 26 Snaps

Pass Blocking Snaps Per Pressure Allowed: 18 Snaps

Offensive Snaps per Penalty:

PFF Pass Blocking Grade:

PFF Run Blocking Grade: