The 2022 NFL offseason has been an eventful one but few teams have suffered more from it than the Tennessee Titans. After a season that saw star Derrick Henry only play eight games and a playoff game in which he only averaged 3.1 yards a carry, they failed to give Titans fans hope that they may be able to bounce back.
The Titans traded away star receiver to A.J. Brown on the night of the 2022 NFL Draft, let star linebacker Rashaan Evans sign with the Falcons and not to mention losing offensive lineman Rodger Saffold to the Bills. Ryan Tannehill is still the team’s QB1 but the presence of Malik Willis, the recent third-round pick from Liberty had introduced doubt into that as well.
While there are many questions surrounding the team’s overall success on the field, there is still fantasy gold to be found on this roster. So without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best players on the Titans roster that will help you win a championship, even if the team may not.
Leave Your Draft With This Player
Derrick Henry, RB
Yeah, I know this is far from the most shocking revelation you’ll read but let’s break down the numbers here. The main concern with Derrick Henry, and justifiably so, is his overuse by the Titans. However, it is interesting to note that the Titans actually ran it more without him than when they had him. They ran the ball 58% of the time on first and second down when he was out compared to 53% when he was healthy. Their record during that span? 6-3.
The offense is clearly going to be centered around Derrick Henry but Mike Vrabel might’ve finally come to realize he can have success without giving him the ball 60% of the time. There are a lot of question marks surrounding Henry, but his sheer target and carry rate keeps him in the top-five draftable players conversation. However, with the Titans’ passing game still a huge unknown combined with his heavy usage rate, it isn’t outside of the realm of possibility to see Derrick Henry struggling to remain among the top fantasy running backs.
Rookie Difference Maker
Treylon Burks, WR
The trade of A.J. Brown opened a great chance for production for his successor in Burks. While Robert Woods will likely be ready to start the season, he’ll attract most of the attention from the best talent of the opposing defense. That, combined with Burks’ versatile skill set, leaves him as the most likely option to be the “Swiss Army knife” of the Titans offense.
Not only could Burks be the number two option in this offense but don’t be surprised if his role expands beyond that. If there are any remnants of the Arthur Smith style of offense, Burks could see a plethora of jet sweeps, running plays, and other creative ways that would involve his athleticism. Burks may be borderline draftable now but by the end of the year, don’t be shocked to find him as a solid FLEX option or even in the WR2 category.
Old Face In A New Place
Austin Hooper, TE
This is a perfect buy-low candidate because, after a disappointing year in Cleveland, Austin Hooper was released and was picked up by the Titans. Hooper is only two years removed from his career year in which he had nearly 800 yards and six touchdowns.
Hooper’s problem with the Browns wasn’t so much his talent level but rather the amount of competition he had at the position. David Njoku and Harrison Bryant ate into his target and snap share at the position, not to mention Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. out at receiver. Now, Hooper is unquestionably the top tight end in Tennessee with very little competition to worry about.
Is Hooper draftable? Possibly in the later rounds if you believe in taking a backup tight end. At worst, he’s a name that should be at the top of your list to be wary of on the waiver wire. Tannehill is going to be the quarterback for most of the Titans season (supposedly) so he’ll be looking for a dependable target and if Malik Willis takes over, there’s nothing a young QB loves more than the security blanket of a good tight end.
Potential Breakout Player
Robert Woods, WR
I know it’s a bit of a stretch to call Robert Woods a breakout player but after a season in which he had less than 600 yards and four touchdowns, it’s not crazy to think that people will forget about how talented he is. Woods will be the unquestionable number one receiver with the Titans going into this year and any top receiver is at least worth considering drafting.
A.J. Brown finished 32nd last year in total receiver rankings when it came to fantasy but that can be chalked up to the Titans having to gameplan without Henry on the fly. With a full offseason and that hypothetical in play, it’s not unbelievable to see Woods being the second-most important player in this offense.
Bold Prediction
The Titans Will Have No Player In The Top 10
This isn’t to say you should stay away from all Titans players. Quite the opposite really. It’s easy to point out the top and bottom players, those you should stay away from and those people are sleeping on. The ones that go the most unnoticed are in the middle tier.
The Titans will likely be a middle-tier team and their players will likely fall in the same category. With that said, this is where you can find good value to beef up your roster. No one is seriously looking at the Titans roster outside of Derrick Henry but there’s value to be found there nonetheless.
Woods, Burks, and even Tannehill have fantasy promise at low value who could help you. If you find yourself in the situation of your favorite players or sleepers flying off the board, as many of us do, look to the Titans roster for relief.
With that said, if you are at the top of the draft order, outside of Henry, don’t even consider anyone with TEN next to their name. While Woods, Hooper, and Burks are all solid names to look out for, none of them will break into the top 10 as the best names in their position.
