Titans players entering audition season with playoff hopes dead
NASHVILLE — For the first time in Mike Vrabel's tenure as Tennessee Titans head coach, the team has been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention before the final game of the season. But just because the Titans are eliminated does not mean the final three games of the 2023 are irrelevant. A number of players on […]
NASHVILLE — For the first time in Mike Vrabel's tenure as Tennessee Titans head coach, the team has been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention before the final game of the season.
But just because the Titans are eliminated does not mean the final three games of the 2023 are irrelevant.
A number of players on the Titans' roster will be "auditioning" for the team over the next three games and trying to earn a place or role on the 2024 team. Here's a look at some of the players looking to prove something over the next month.
Treylon Burks
Year two has been a tumultuous one for former first round draft pick Treylon Burks. After building momentum through the beginning of training camp, Burks hit his first hurdle of the 2023 season when he sprained his MCL during a joint practice in Minnesota.
The knee injury kept Burks out for a majority of training camp and preseason games. While the 23-year-old was back before the season opener in New Orleans, he has not been able to find consistent success.
Burks missed three games in October with a knee injury that was unrelated to the one he suffered in training camp. Then in Pittsburgh, he took a brutal hit along the sideline that knocked him unconscious and gave him a serious concussion. Burks was out for an entire month dealing with the residual effects of that blow.
2023 has just not been his year. But after posting 62 receiving yards last week against the Houston Texans, things could be looking up for Burks. With three games to go on the season, he now has a chance to "audition" for his role on the 2024 Titans.
It's no secret that Tennessee will once again be looking for help at wide receiver this offseason. DeAndre Hopkins has been incredible, but he can't do it alone. As of right now, the Titans don't have another receiving threat that draws significant attention from opposing defenses.
Whether it be through free agency to the draft, there is an expectation that Tennessee is going to address wide receiver this offseason. Calvin Ridley, Tee Higgins, Michael Pittman Jr., and Gabe Davis are among the top available receivers on the open market.
The real question will be if the Titans are looking to add a bonafide WR2 or some depth pieces. Some of that may have to do with how Burks performs over the next three weeks.
If Burks truly has turned a corner and shows off what he's capable of over the Titans' final three contests, he could earn himself the WR2 job on the 2024 team. Emphasis on could…Things may be too far gone at this point. But there's no denying that it would be in his best interest to establish the value he has to the organization going into what should be a hectic offseason. Burks is absolutely in "audition" mode.
Jaelyn Duncan & Dillon Radunz
One area of the Titans' roster that is absolutely going to see a shake up this offseason is the offensive line. Tennessee has already allowed more sacks (50) in 2023 than they did in 2022, had two quarterbacks get hurt, and made life a living hell for Derrick Henry.
The signing of Andre Dillard was a complete flop and if Tennessee wants any shot at fixing their problems in 2024, they'll need to overhaul the offensive line. But how many spots they need to fill could still be up in the air.
It's a safe assumption that Peter Skoronski will be starting somewhere up front in 2024. The 2023 first round pick has been adequate at left guard, but who knows, maybe the Titans will actually move him to tackle next season.
Other than that, we know Daniel Brunskill will likely be back in some capacity. He has one year remaining on his contract. But that's about it. Aaron Brewer is an unrestricted free agent and Andre Dillard is a lock to get released.
The Titans have work to do and very few people are locked into a job. Hence why both Jaelyn Duncan and Dillon Radunz are in tryout mode for the rest of the season.
Duncan, a 2023 sixth round pick out of Maryland, has played 300 snaps primarily at left tackle this season. It has been rough sledding for Duncan at times, as the rookie has allowed six sacks and 25 pressures in six career games (per PFF). But this season is all about development for Duncan. If he's able to show some improvement and string a few good games together to close the season, he'll position himself well to compete for a starting job in 2024. At the very least, he can cement his place as Tennessee's swing tackle.
Radunz, on the other hand, has gotten work all over the offensive line. Radunz has played left tackle, left guard, right guard, and right tackle this season with the majority of his snaps coming at right tackle. That's also where Radunz has found the most success.
He's in the same boat as Duncan. The Titans like his versatility. His play at right tackle is likely good enough to keep him on the 2024 roster. But you could consider this an early audition for the 2024 right tackle job. Tennessee will absolutely need to find a left tackle and center this offseason. They may need to find an interior lineman as well. With a good showing to finish the season, Radunz can make the Titans think twice about spending big on a solution for right tackle this offseason.
Rashad Weaver & Caleb Murphy
When listing out the Titans' offseason needs, edge rusher doesn't exactly top the list. Harold Landry III and Arden Key will still be under contract in 2024, but with Denico Autry embarking on free agency, Tennessee may feel the need to bolster their depth at outside linebacker.
That leaves both Rashad Weaver and Caleb Murphy in tryout mode. In whatever snaps the two get over the last three games of the season, their performance could dictate how big of a need the Titans' feel like outside linebacker is.
Weaver had five tackles and one tackle for loss in the Titans' last game against Houston. That was a new season high for the 26-year-old. Weaver also played on 30 defensive snaps (39%), which was his most in both total and percentage on the 2023 season. If Weaver can return to looking like the player who had 5.5 sacks for Tennessee in 2022, maybe the Titans will spend big elsewhere and rely on Weaver next season.
The same thing can be said for Murphy, but expectations should be tempered for him. Murphy has been inactive in all but one game this season after making the initial 53-man roster.
The Titans have a big decision to make at quarterback
A lot to consider for the Tennessee Titans.
