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Brandon Murchison's 2020 NFL Draft predictions for the Tennessee Titans. His 32 for 32 series looks at fantasy football implications for redraft and dynasty.
Once Ryan Tannehill became the starting QB for the Titans, the team was on a magic carpet ride to the AFC title game. During this ride, the Titans were one of the most productive offenses in fantasy. But can that success be duplicated in 2020, or will defenses be up to the challenge? Will the NFL Draft also welcome in talent to further this team's potential? Let's find out in our latest edition of the NFL Draft 32 for 32 series.
The focus of this series is to dive into each NFL team's needs to project their draft picks in this year's draft, which will go on as planned in late April. I will predict the first three selections and give fantasy football owners perspective on how this affects fantasy value. Whether it be a positional player or players on the defensive side of the ball, all selections made can help in some way when it comes to fantasy scoring.
As we have seen in recent memory, some rookies can enter this league and make an immediate impact. Based on the appropriate landing spot, this year's crop of prospects has the potential to create some very fantasy-friendly situations. When you're done here, look back on our previous installments by checking the links at the bottom of this page.
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2019 Review
Through the first six weeks of the season, aside from Derrick Henry, the Titans were largely irrelevant in terms of fantasy production. In Week 7, Ryan Tannehill took the starting QB job and the fortunes of this team changed for the better. During that timeframe, he was the QB4 (2,598 passing yards and 26 total TD) in fantasy scoring and was one of the waiver wire gems that led owners to championships. Tannehill was immaculate on all levels of the field and was the league's best in 10-plus yards throws.
He made the Titans the No. 2 passing attack in the NFL, cementing the fact of just how bad Marcus Mariota had been performing with the same talent. The Titans decided to pay Tannehill for the long term, but from a fantasy perspective, regression is sure to be on the way. The magical ride that he took fantasy owners on down the stretch will be hard to repeat. Look for him to be drafted as a fringe QB1 in drafts, making him a risk/reward player in 2020.
Derrick Henry once again proved to be one of the more productive RBs in fantasy last season. He was the league's leading rusher (1,539) and tied for the lead in rushing scores (16). Of those touchdowns, 12 came during Tannehill's time under center and Henry was the only back in the league with double-digit scores over that span. What was impressive was the YPC (5.08) on the number of touches he had on the year (303). The elusiveness is something that stands out as well (58 tackles avoided) with a back his size. With the continued production we see from Henry, one would say he is a no-brainer upper-echelon pick in fantasy drafts. But the trick is with Henry is that you have to assume that the heavy workload will eventually take its toll. He is destined to have an injury-riddled season soon, but will it be 2020?
As for the pass-catchers, it was A.J. Brown or bust in 2019. He was by far the highest-scoring receiver on the roster (191.1 FP). But the odd thing with Brown's stat line is that a majority of his production came after the team's Week 11 bye. During that stretch, Brown looked like one of the best receivers in the league and certainly has momentum on his side entering 2020. The rate of scoring (8 TDs on 52 catches) and YPR (20.21) will be hard to maintain for the second-year receiver. He will be a highly drafted receiver based on his production but don't get sucked in by the small sample size and overpay come draft day. Look at Brown somewhere in the WR13-15 range off the board.
Outside of Brown, Jonnu Smith showed promise late in 2019 in what he can offer fantasy owners as a possible TE1. But again, the sample size is awfully small. He appeared in all 16 games, but even with Delanie Walker out for most of the season, Smith only caught more than three passes in a game twice. You would also think as a tight end, Smith would see more red-zone targets but was fourth on the team in that category (8). He still has more to prove for fantasy owners and although some may reach for him in drafts, he should be currently valued as a TE2 in rankings. Continual disappointment Corey Davis was invisible yet again in 2019 and he and Adam Humphries will be too inconsistent for owners to count on them in starting lineups in 2020. Both should be viewed as deep bench stashes this season.
As for the draft, the Titans will likely focus a lot of their intention in the trenches with this draft. A team that needs to run the ball as much as they do to be successful should add more depth along the offensive line. Although the secondary could use some help as well, I see this team adding pieces to the defensive line to better equip themselves in defending the run and developing a steady pass rush.
Tennessee Titans - 2020 Outlook
TEAM GRADES
Offense: 85.0 (2nd)
Defense: 73.3 (16th)
Overall: 92.0 (4th)
TEAM NEEDS
DL, OL, CB
First Selection (1.29)
Neville Gallimore, DT Oklahoma
With the departure of long-time standout Jurell Casey, the need is there for the Titans to add a defensive tackle to the mix. With Jeffrey Simmons to play more on the edge in 2020, the team needs a big body inside. They get that with the selection of Gallimore. He plays hard from snap to whistle and can flash loads of potential at times.
He does have consistency issues, but with the proper coaching from Mike Vrabel and staff, Gallimore could reach his ceiling. His snap quickness allows him to get off the ball and into gaps to disrupt plays early on. If Gallimore can fine-tune his skills, the Titans will have their Casey replacement for the improving defense.
Second Selection (2.29)
Netane Muti, OG Fresno State
As the team looks to add depth to the offensive line, Muti is a solid selection. He looks the part as a thick guard that plays with heavy hands and excellent upper body power. His upper body strength allows him to bulldoze his opposition and open wide lanes for the running game. He can uproot defenders off balance as he drives through them and also maintains a pop at the second level.
He has efficient enough hands in pass protection but will need more reps to develop. He missed time during his college career with serious injuries and may enter the NFL and needs to be brought up to speed. But the potential is there for Muti to be a solid contributor for the Titans offensive line.
Third Selection (3.29)
Khalid Kareem, DE Notre Dame
The Titans selection of Kareem gives the defense a little more flexibility in terms of alignments that they can run. He is a power-based edge defender who uses technique to make up for what he lacks in explosiveness. He is better suited as a run defender at the next level and should see plenty of time on the field on early downs.
His lack of athletic gifts may cause him to be subbed out on passing downs as he lacks the quickness to get after the QB. Kareem will allow the Titans to be able to move Simmons in on the inside in certain packages and should make this defense better from a statistical standpoint.
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