This week's mailbag will address some Tennessee Titans questions that are stewing among the fan base. Saturday's topics include Derrick Henry in the passing game, draft/free agency needs and Mike Mularkey's job security.
Do the Titans trust/like DHenry on pass downs? Or expecting mostly Fluellen there? #QforCam
— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) December 29, 2017
Adam, that's a good question because they haven't shown a lot of trust in him as a receiver or blocker this season. The passing game is the primary reason Henry hasn't overtaken DeMarco Murray as the Titans' lead back despite being the superior rusher and averaging more than a yard per carry more (Henry averages 4.7 to Murray's 3.6).
In the Titans' five offensive plays after Murray's injury last Sunday -- all passes -- Henry got four reps with David Fluellen taking the last one. I expect the split between Henry and Fluellen to be similar to that in a bigger sample size this Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Titans don't have much of a choice but to let Henry sink or swim as a three-down feature back. Fluellen has 16 offensive snaps this season. This isn't the time for him to become Murray-lite. There's a more significant drop-off between Henry and Fluellen as a back. Plus, the Titans owe it to themselves to see if Henry can be a three-down back in 2018.
What do you expect the Titans to this year in draft? I say they need to address the interior of the offensive line.#QforCam
— Ronald Sanderfer (@lilronof2010) December 29, 2017
It's a little early to talk 2018 offseason, but I'll give you a peek at my top-5 draft and free-agency needs for the Titans:
One, maybe two starting guards (preferably in free agency)
Young, explosive edge-rusher (preferably in draft)
Speed receiver
Backup QB
Receiving back/cornerback depth
Does Mularkey feel the pressure that his job is on the line with this game? -- Luis Velazquez via Facebook
He certainly knows the significance of Sunday's game against the Jaguars. I asked him about it earlier this week and he said, "winning always makes everything better."
It does Mularkey little good to stress about his long-term future with the Titans at this point, but he can erase questions about that with a win Sunday.
"I can't worry about things that are out of my control," Mularkey said earlier this week. "God has a plan for me. Whatever that is, I'm going to follow it."