This draft is all in good fun, and I really don’t mind people disagreeing with me.
I just enjoy defending this move like a mother bear protecting a cub.
I think guys like Corey Davis, Taywan Taylor, and Tajae Sharpe are criminally underutilized. Mariota looked to be on the cusp of being a decent NFL quarterback in his second year and then he’s been completely derailed by injury and regression.
He’s been uncomfortable in the pocket, shown a propensity to give up on his progressions quickly, and has been inaccurate down the field. An argument can be made that he’s the worst passing QB in the league outside of Lamar Jackson. Combine this with it being his last contracted year and his throwing elbow/nerve issues, and I think he’s done in Tennessee.
As you say, Stafford—a good NFL QB in his prime—gives you a chance to see what you have in these young guys. They also added Adam Humphries who fits perfectly.
I’ve discussed why I believe Stafford would thrive in Tennessee in other posts so I won’t here, but I will address the roster concerns you’ve raised.
Henry is your power back complementing what Lewis does so well. Henry spent the better part of a year pussy-footing it through the hole until an eventful call to Eddie George. Henry was worried about his next contract and asked Eddie for advice in what he sees on tape.
Essentially—and Henry admitted this—George berated him on the phone and called him soft. He told him that he was trying to run like a small back instead of using his big frame to get tough yards. He told Henry that he’s out of the NFL if he doesn’t run downhill.
The very next game, you saw an angry one-cut Henry. He ran for 238 yards. He followed that up with 170 against New York. He closed the season strong and ended as a 1000 yard back. Certainly, he’s a committee back with Lewis, but these two offer something Detroit hasn’t seen. They hadn’t even had a 100 yard rusher for the better part of a decade until Kerryon Johnson last year.
Tennessee had the 25th ranked offense in 2018, and the 29th ranked passing offense.
You think the defense is overrated, but I think that’s untrue.
Defensively, they ranked 8th in total defense (yards) and 3rd in points/game at 18.9.
That’s while being on the field so much with an offense that can’t move the ball and can’t score. Sometimes the best defensive helper is a good offense that can simply possess and move the ball—something the Titans didn’t have.
Jurrell Casey is a force in the middle of this defensive line.
Harold Landry was a stud on the end as a rookie last year.
Cameron Wake steps in as a stop gap to see what he has left.
Wesley Woodward is as solid as they come and I’m high on two young guys—Jayon Brown and Rashaan Evans at linebacker. Evans battled some injuries last year as a 1st round rookie but was promising when on the field.
Kevin Byard and the newly acquired Kenny Vaccaro make up one of the NFL’s more underrated safety tandems.
Adoree Jackson, Logan Ryan, and Malcolm Butler have been solid at corner.
I think this is a defense that people are sleeping on.
I may be a Browns fan, but I can see a quick playoff path for the Titans.
I’m glad this topic has sparked some interesting debate.
I can’t wait for the part when we discuss this Josh Rosen/Denver trade.
Ironically enough,
@Out of the Rafters at the Q , I was originally thinking about going the other way with this roster as you even suggested and had poked around with
@Jack Brickman on a Rosen trade. That was my first inquiry.
However, the more I looked in, the more I was convinced the window is now. One of the more underrated defenses in the league, great offensive line, strong running game. They just need a QB to get the most out of these skill guys.