The AFC South is primed to be one of the best divisions in all of football in 2020. We mostly know what the Texans needs are headed into the new season, but how about the other teams in the AFC South? How does the division shape up heading into 2020? Let's take a look at Tennessee.
2019 in review:
1. Earned a Wild Card berth at 9-7
2. Beat Patriots in Wild Card round, upset Baltimore in Divisional round
3. Lost to Chiefs in AFC Championship game after leading 10-0
Key notes to consider heading into 2020:
1. Defensive coordinator Dean Pees retired, defensive back coach Kerry Coombs moved back to Ohio State as defensive coordinator
2. Former Texans secondary coach Anthony Midget steps into secondary job for Coombs
3. Titans have 21 free agents heading into the new league year, including right tackle Jack Conklin, Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill
4. Have decision to make on long-time, veteran pass-catching threat Delanie Walker
5. Waived/cut outside linebacker Cam Wake and running back Dion Lewis
Projected salary cap space: $57.7M
Draft capital:
1st round (29)
2nd round (61)
3rd round (93)
5th round (174)
7th round (224) via Cleveland
7th round (243)
Team needs:
1. Solve the quarterback situation - sign Tom Brady? Re-sign Ryan Tannehill? Strike out on both and look elsewhere?
2. Cornerback is still a need, even more so if Logan Ryan doesn't return. He's not playing much on the outside anymore, but if he does leave, they'll need an inside guy AND an outside cover corner.
3. If starting right tackle Jack Conklin does leave in free agency, then right tackle is a glaring hole. If Jack Conklin AND swing tackle/valuable backup Dennis Kelly don't re-sign, then offensive tackle, as a whole, is a glaring hole.
4. Edge Cam Wake was released and Kamalei Correa is a free agent, so if both are gone, then the TItans will need more depth out on the edge. Wake wasn't giving them much anyway, but losing Correa would sting a bit, even more so, without a replacement.
5. Star Running back Derrick Henry had 321 touches in 2019 and Henry's backup Dion Lewis was cut. Henry will probably return, but the Titans need to find Henry some relief or the touches will pile up, the tread on the tires will wear down and Henry will fall prey to the "curse of the running back's second contract" syndrome.
