Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL 2017 preview: Looking at strengths, weaknesses and X-factors for all 32 teams

By Peter Panacy

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
32 of 33
Next
Dec 18, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Titans won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Titans won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

Tennessee Titans

2016 Record: 9-7, Second Place in the AFC South

Like the Buccaneers, the Tennessee Titans are one of the NFL’s risers for 2017.

The Titans had two pressing needs this offseason — finding legitimate receiving help for quarterback Marcus Mariota and additional depth within the secondary. Tennessee addressed these issues with two first-round picks in the NFL Draft.

First, the team took wide receiver Corey Davis, widely viewed as the best wideout in the draft. The Titans then nabbed cornerback Adoree’ Jackson at No. 18 overall.

And don’t sleep on fellow wideout Taywan Taylor in Round 3.

If Mariota was playing in a bigger market, he’d easily be viewed as one of the game’s rising stars. Heck, he is already.

So 2017 should be a fun season for Titans fans. They should easily be considered a legitimate playoff contender.

Strengths

Tennessee’s passing offense immediately improves with the additions of both Davis and Taylor. Combined with the dual-threat capability Mariota poses, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Titans boast one of the more prolific offenses in the league this upcoming season.

Especially if running back DeMarco Murray picks up where he left off last year

The defense isn’t bad either, especially after adding a top cornerback in Jackson.

Weaknesses

While the defense is looking pretty good in 2017, up front could be a bit of an issue for Tennessee over the course of the season.

Depth isn’t particularly great, as is the case with many teams coming off rebuilds, and the pass rush still lacks that true top-tier threat.

Most of this will mean problems against the passing game — an area where the Titans allowed the third most yards in the NFL last season (4,307).

X-Factors

Playing in the AFC South will help matters a bunch here. But the Titans may not be quite ready to overtake teams like the Colts and Texans on a regular basis. Tennessee will have to if they want to make the playoffs.

Mariota, like Jameis Winston, has shown enough to be considered on the next tier of solid QBs. But is he going to thrive with his new weapons?