2016 Fantasy Football Preview: Tennessee Titans

 

2015 Fantasy Recap

The Tennessee Titans.  On the offensive side of the ball, they showed great promise.  On the defense side, not so much.  Lead by second pick overall QB Marcus Mariota, the Titans went 3-13, tied for last place in the NFL.  With a great showing out the gate, Mariota was able to connect with his receivers often.  However, the defense had problems keeping any lead that he was able to give them.  Also lacking was a strong running game.  Those issues were both addressed during the offseason and draft.  That along with a healthy Mariota returning, things should look up for the Titans.

Key Additions and Losses

Additions:

• DeMarco Murray
• Ben Jones

Losses:

• Michael Griffin

Quarterback Fantasy Outlook

There is a lot to be excited about with QB Mariota.  The Titans found the franchise quarterback when they took Mariota.  He had a poor showing during his first preseason game, but during his week one start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he threw for 209 yards and 4 TDs, no interception.  He became the first QB to obtain a perfect passer rating of 158.3 on the first game, as well as the youngest QB to do so.  Mariota also holds the NFL record for most TD’s in the first 3 games, a total of 8.  He showed that he could scramble, and extend plays on his feet if need be.  He rushed for a 87 yard touchdown in week 12.  In addition, on a wildcat play, he caught a touchdown pass for 41 yards, thrown by RB Antonio Andrews.  This made him the first NFL player to throw, rush, and catch a TD all for more than 40 yards, since 1983.  In week 6, Mariota suffered a sprained MCL in his left knee, keeping him out 2 games.  in week 15, he re-injured his knee, forcing him to sit out the last 2 games.  While injured back up QB Zach Mettenberger threw for 4 TD’s and a whooping 7 interceptions in 4 games.  The Titans are best served by a healthy Mariota.  However, with the signing of RB DeMarco Murray, the Titans look to run the ball more.  This could cause a dip in production, and lower Mariota’s ceiling.   During the 12 games he played in he stacked up 2,818 yards with 230 completions.  He threw 19 TD’s to 10 interceptions, with only 1 fumble.  Mariota rushed for 252 yards and 2 TD’s as well.

 

Grade: B

 Running Back Fantasy Outlook

There is a major problem when the QB comes in second for the most rushing yards for the team.  Antonio Andrews had 143 carries for 520 yards with 3 touchdowns.  This was followed by Mariota at 252.  The next RB Dexter McCluster touched the ball 55 times for 247 and 2 TDS.  This is clearly not a winning formula, so the Titans acquired RB DeMarco Murray on trade, and RB Henry Derick from the second round of the 2016 draft.  The Titans are betting on Murray producing at the level he did with the Cowboys.  He is expected to be the bell cow.  The key to success, will be holding on to the ball, as the RB’s last season dropped allowed 9 fumbles, and lost 4 of them.  The leadership and wisdom Murray can pass on to the younger running backs will be invaluable.  Derick will the backup, but unless Murray completely falls apart or gets hurt, I wouldn’t expect to see much out of the star from Alabama.

 

Grade:  B-

Wide Receiver Fantasy Outlook

The wideouts did not get as much targets compared to the Tight End.  WR Kendall Wright and Harry Douglas both tied at 36 catch’s.  However it was WR Dorial Green-Beckham who lead the wideouts in yards at 549 and 4 touchdowns.  Wright and Douglas both enter the preseason ahead of Green-beckham on the depth chart, but Green-Beckham is making huge strides during the offseason to replace Douglas.  As long as the tight end is a favorite of Mariota, all the other receivers will suffer.  Add in that the Titan’s will favor a more run-heavy offense, and all the receivers will suffer in production.

 

 

 

Grade: C+

Tight End Fantasy Outlook

Here was one of the brightest spots for the Titans.  Delanie Walker was targeted 133 times.  That was nearly twice as much as the next receiver.  He caught 3 times the amount of the next receiver as well.  Amassing a team high of 1088 yards and 6 touchdowns, he was the true threat down field.  Widely thought of as a top 10 tight end, he proved it last year and looks to repeat that next year.  However, with Green-Beckham developing nicely, and the addition of a strong run game, his numbers might be hard to replicate.  Either way, he should continue to be the top target as long as he is in Tennessee.

 

 

 

Grade:  A

Defensive Fantasy Outlook

The defensive unit carries a lot of the blame for the poor showing last year.  Ranked near the bottom in every category, they did actually improve from the year before.  The Titans wisely used most of the draft picks they got from trading the number one spot away to gather defensive talent.  With LB Avery Williamson returning after 102 tackles and 1 interception, they have proven leadership to help the rookies.  They have plenty of talent to turn it around.  However, they have to learn to stop the run, and put pressure on the opponents QB to slow down the passing game.  The Titans have turned around from being the worst to one of the best before, and they are hoping to do that again this year.  I would be very wary of jumping on the train just yet, and wait for them to show me something.

 

 

Grade:D

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