2015 NFL Power Rankings #31: Tennessee Titans

Disclaimer: I am not a professional or a psychic

2014 Record: 2-14

Retirements: Jake Locker, Michael Roos, Colin McCarthy

Cuts: Shonn Greene, Michael Oher, Bernard Pollard

Losses: Nate Washington

Signings: Anthony Fasano, Perrish Cox, Fernando Velasco, Byron Bell, Brian Orakpo, Harry Douglas, Hakeem Nicks, Da'Norris Searcy

Draft Class: Marcus Mariota, Dorial Green-Beckham, Jeremiah Poutasi, Angelo Blackson, Jalston Fowler, David Cobb, Deiontrez Mount, Andrew Gallik, Tre McBride

Major Questions:

Can Marcus Mariota suceed in the NFL?

Will the Titans offensive line stop being soft?

Can Justin Hunter step up?

Can anyone outside of Jurrell Casey be a star on the Titans defense?

The Tennessee Titans are starting almost essentially from scratch. The Jake Locker project is mercifully over and the Titans are starting over with new quarterback Marcus Mariota.

The Titans hope that the offensive line composed of Taylor Lewan, Chance Warmack, Brian Schwenke, Andy Levitre, and whoever plays at right tackle can get it's act together and protect Marcus Mariota. The Titans also need more from their rushing attack, as Bishop Sankey led the team with 569 yards and two touchdowns.

The Titans have some intriguing talent at pass catcher for Mariota. They have Delanie Walker, who had the best season ever for a Titans tight end last year, a reliable pass catching option in Anthony Fasano, Kendall Wright, who is waiting for a competent quarterback, and a veteran receiver in Harry Douglas. They also have Hakeem Nicks who is trying to revitalize his career, Justin Hunter, who has all the potential to be a great receiver, but he just needs to live up to it, and Dorial Green-Beckham, who can be a deadly weapon in the NFL if he can stay on the straight and narrow.

Defensively, the Titans have Jurrell Casey and Jason McCourty as the stars on defense, but they need more of their defenders to step up if they want to be successful. The Titans signed Brian Orakpo to bolster their pass rush and they also signed Da'Norris Searcy and Perrish Cox to help their secondary and they have a promising inside linebacker in Avery Williamson. The Titans also signed Dick LeBeau to be the defensive coach.

The Titans have started over again and fans should look for players that will play a role in the future of the franchise instead of wins.

Predictions: Marcus Mariota starts all 16 games and throws for 3,000 yards, 18 Touchdowns, and eight Interceptions. He also rushes for 400 yards and three touchdowns.

Kendall Wright has 1,100 yards receiving and scores eight touchdowns.

Bishop Sankey has 800 yards rushing and scores five touchdowns.

Taylor Lewan is an above average tackle.

Brian Orakpo leads the team in sacks with eight.

Avery Williamson has at least 100 tackles and an interception.

Andy Levitre and Justin Hunter are released after this season.

Best Case Scenario: Marcus Mariota has an alright rookie season, but shows that he belongs in the NFL, Taylor Lewan shows some development. Bishop Sankey gives the Titans an average rushing attack, Justin Hunter lives up to his potential, and Dorial Green-Beckham has a solid rookie season while keeping his head straight. The defense shows some fight throughout the season.

Worst Case Scenario: Mariota is a disaster in 2015, Lewan and Sankey don't progress, Hunter goes down as a case of unfulfilled potential, Dorial Green-Beckham is a head case, and the defense continues to allow people to walk all over it.

Losses: Indianapolis Colts (Twice), Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons.

Wins: Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars

Previous Entries:

#32: Washington Redskins