NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel preached going from "good to great" at this time last season. The Titans made a deep postseason run to the AFC Championship Game after once again finishing with a 9-7 record, and Vrabel is intent on building upon that.
But Tennessee lost some key leaders from 2019 over the offseason, especially on defense with defensive tackle Jurrell Casey, linebacker Wesley Woodyard and cornerback Logan Ryan no longer on the roster. The Titans also lost leaders in tight end Delanie Walker and quarterback Marcus Mariota on the offensive side.
Considering those losses and with the smoke cleared from free agency and the draft, have the Titans gotten better or worse? When asked recently about his revised roster, Vrabel said it's too early to tell.
"It hasn’t won a game so it can’t possibly be better," Vrabel said in his postdraft news conference. "But there were some things that we needed to get done out of this draft, and I think we all feel like we did."
Here's a position-by-position look at where the Titans stand as they start their virtual offseason. (Additions are italicized.)
QUARTERBACK: Ryan Tannehill, Logan Woodside, Cole McDonald
Key departure: Mariota
Better, worse or the same? Worse
Having Tannehill, who signed a four-year deal, as the starter from the beginning of offseason activities should be a boon for the Titans. He has already started to assert himself in virtual meetings. But the Titans QB room got weaker with Mariota no longer in the mix. Vrabel and GM Jon Robinson are confident that Woodside is a capable backup, but his unproven status leaves uncertainty behind Tannehill.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Taylor Lewan, Rodger Saffold, Ben Jones, Nate Davis, Dennis Kelly, Isaiah Wilson, David Quessenberry, Ty Sambrailo, Jamil Douglas, Avery Gennesy, Zac Kerin, Daniel Munyer
Key departure: Right tackle Jack Conklin
Better, worse or the same? Same
The Titans lost Conklin in free agency; he was a key contributor to the running game last season, so there could be a drop-off in blocking. The Titans re-signed Kelly to a three-year deal, and he's a suitable replacement for Conklin. Wilson (drafted at No. 29 overall) is expected to challenge Kelly for the right tackle spot but his progression could be hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is keeping players from being at the facility. Fortunately for the Titans, run blocking is Wilson's calling card.
RUNNING BACK: Derrick Henry, Darrynton Evans, Dalyn Dawkins, Shaun Wilson, Senorise Perry, Khari Blasingame (fullback)
Key departure: Dion Lewis
Better, worse or the same? Better
Henry, who signed his $10.2 million franchise tender, remains the catalyst for the offense. The Titans needed to find a complement to Henry after Lewis left via free agency. That's where Evans (drafted No. 93 overall) comes into play. His skill set fits well with what the Titans need, especially their outside zone concepts. Like Lewis, Evans is a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield and isn't afraid to mix it up with defenders in pass protection. Lewis was proven, but Evans has the potential to be a dynamic player.
WIDE RECEIVER: A.J. Brown, Corey Davis, Adam Humphries, Kalif Raymond, Cam Batson, Rashard Davis, Cody Hollister, Trevion Thompson
Key departure: Tajae Sharpe
Better, worse or the same? Same
The primary 3 WR package will still be intact with Brown and Davis on the outside and Humphries in the slot. Raymond is the best vertical threat for the Titans. He will get plenty of snaps on the outside. Losing Sharpe cost the Titans depth, but this group is in solid shape.
TIGHT END: Jonnu Smith, Anthony Firkser, MyCole Pruitt, Parker Hesse, Cole Herdman
Key departure: Delanie Walker
Better, worse or the same? Same
From a leadership perspective, this is an area where the Titans were hit hardest. Walker was a major presence for all of the tight ends, especially Smith. Firkser was clutch in a few moments last season and should be a viable pass-catching option in 12 personnel packages. The Titans managed to make due last season with Walker being limited to injuries. They should be fine with the returning group.
DEFENSIVE LINE: Jeffery Simmons, DaQuan Jones, Jack Crawford, Joey Ivie, Isaiah Mack, Matt Dickerson, Larrell Murchison, Amani Bledsoe,
Key departure: Defensive tackle Jurrell Casey
Better, worse or the same? Worse
Despite having plenty of solid football left in the tank, Casey was traded to the Denver Broncos. The leadership that Casey brought to the Titans won't be easy to replace. His versatility along the defensive line and ability to step up in big moments will be missed. The Titans are banking on Simmons, a 2019 first-rounder, to take the next step in Year 2. They added a veteran player in Crawford along with a versatile lineman in Murchison (fifth round, No. 174 overall). But it's hard to say at this moment that the defensive line is better this year.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER: Harold Landry, Vic Beasley, Kamalei Correa, D'Andre Walker, Derick Roberson, Reggie Gilbert, Jordan Williams, Joshua Smith
Better, worse or the same? Better
This is one position where the Titans undoubtedly got better. They didn't face any significant losses but retained Correa and will have Walker set to make his debut. Adding Beasley gives them a solid player who could be the best pass-rusher if the Titans staff can get the veteran to pick up where he left off last season with the Atlanta Falcons. Beasley and Landry are similar players and should form a potent one-two punch.
INSIDE LINEBACKER: Rashaan Evans, Jayon Brown, David Long, Nigel Harris, Nick Dzubnar
Key departure: Woodyard
Better, worse or the same? Same
The inside linebacker group could be better simply because of Evans' maturation as a player. The third-year linebacker came along as a starter and is expected to be one of the leaders on the defense. That should help ease the loss of Woodyard, a long-time team captain. Long is a suitable third option behind Brown, who is entering a contract season.
SAFETY: Kevin Byard, Kenny Vaccaro, Amani Hooker, Dane Cruikshank, Ibraheim Campbell
Better, worse or the same? Same
The safety group is the best unit on the Titans. Byard will be the leader of that group if not the whole defense. He and Vaccaro form one of the top safety duos in the league. Hooker is an integral part of the secondary as a backup and he'll continue to see plenty of reps in sub-packages. Cruikshank is another option in sub-packages and should see reps mostly when the Titans go to dime defense.
CORNERBACK: Adoree' Jackson, Malcolm Butler, Johnathan Joseph, Kristian Fulton, Tye Smith, Josh Kalu, Kareem Orr, Kenneth Durden, Chris Milton, Chris Jackson
Key departure: Logan Ryan
Better, worse or the same? Same
Losing Ryan is huge for a secondary that relied on him as their leader. Ryan was a standout as a slot corner because of his timely blitzes, stout run defense, and solid coverage. The Titans wanted to get younger and utilize cornerbacks who could better run with vertical routes from slot receivers. Enter second-rounder Kristian Fulton, who will get to ease into the slot corner spot and see some reps on the outside.
Robinson mentioned the possibility of Adoree' Jackson seeing some reps there as well. Signing Joseph gives the Titans a veteran presence in the CB room to help ease the loss of Ryan. A cornerback group that has Butler and Jackson as the starters with Fulton and Joseph in the rotation should be a solid group.
SPECIALIST: Kicker Greg Joseph, punter Brett Kern, long-snapper Beau Brinkley, punt returner Adam Humphries, punt returner Kalif Raymond, kick returner Darrynton Evans
Better, worse or the same? Same
Joseph made all 18 of his extra-point attempts. He also made his only field goal attempt, which was a 30-yard field goal in the AFC Championship Game. The Titans want competition at kicker, which is why they reportedly signed kicker Tucker McCann, an undrafted free agent from Missouri. Evans should get a chance to win the kick return job after posting three kick returns for touchdowns during his time at Appalachian State.