The Titans position group with the most to prove in 2023
The Tennessee Titans roster has a lot to prove in 2023. That's to be expected when the team goes from being the number one seed in the AFC playoffs (2021) to losing seven straight games and finishing 7-10 (2022). Heading into 2023, the Titans are caught between contention and rebuilding windows. GM Ran Carthon and […]
The Tennessee Titans roster has a lot to prove in 2023. That's to be expected when the team goes from being the number one seed in the AFC playoffs (2021) to losing seven straight games and finishing 7-10 (2022).
Heading into 2023, the Titans are caught between contention and rebuilding windows. GM Ran Carthon and head coach Mike Vrabel are trying to have their cake and eat it too, building a roster that can compete for an AFC South title while also preparing for the future. But in order to do both successfully, they are relying on more than a few players to take a big step froward.
With the organization at a crossroads and big season ahead, no position group has more to prove than the Titans defensive backs.
Now, I know what you're thinking. How could it not be the wide receivers? Have you seen the depth chart?
The Titans wide receivers leave a lot to be desired, and the team has made it abundantly clear that they are relying on the upside of each individual player. Getting a breakout season from Treylon Burks and the best possible version of Kyle Philips, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and Chris Moore could make this receiving corps…average? Maybe?
There’s a good argument that the Tennessee receivers are the most essential position group to team success in 2023, but in order for a group to have something to prove, I think there needs to be some expectations that were not met. There needs to be investment and disappointment. There needs to be a lot on the line in the near future.
The Titans have invested a lot into the cornerbacks on their roster. From 2020-2022, Tennessee used four early draft picks on Kristian Fulton (2020 2nd Round), Caleb Farley (2021 1st Round), Elijah Molden (2021 3rd Round), and Roger McCreary (2022 2nd Round). It's about time they started to get some return on that investment, even if someone like Farley is already a lost cause.
2023 is a contract year for Kristian Fulton, and now approaching his fourth NFL season, the Titans are still waiting on Fulton to establish himself as a CB1 at this level. We've seen the flashes, but Fulton has missed 20 games over his three years in the league and dealt with chronic soft tissue injuries.
The best ability is availability and it's time for Fulton to prove it in 2023. The same thing can be said of Molden, who played just 82 defensive snaps in 2022 and missed significant time dealing with a groin issue.
Veteran free agent signing Sean Murphy-Bunting is another member of this Titans secondary with a lot riding on the 2023 season. Drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Murphy-Bunting has been through the highest of highs and lowest of lows in his NFL career.
In Tampa's run to Super bowl LV following the 2020 season, Murphy-Bunting recorded an interception in three different playoff games. On February 7th, 2021 in Raymond James Stadium, SMB became a Super Bowl champion. Now he's on a one-year 'prove it deal' with the Titans waiting for his big pay day.
For as much as Tennessee has poured into this group and as highly touted as these players were, the Titans' defensive backs have really struggled. Complimented by the best run defense in football last season, the Titans frequently allowed explosive plays through the air and allowed more passing yards than any other team.
Safe to say that can't happen again in 2023 if Tennessee wants to be back on top in the AFC South, and hopefully new defensive pass game coordinator Chris Harris can help with that.
The defensive backs need to be on the field. They need to take a step not just in their performance, but also in their health and leadership. This group needs to improve drastically because if they do, the Titans will be back in business and nobody stands more to gain than the players themselves.
