29. TENNESSEE (11-8)
LAST SEASON: Titans reached first AFC championship in 17 years after benching QB Marcus Mariota in mid-October to become only third team to reach conference title game after starting 2-4 or worse. Former Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill jump-started anemic offense and combined with NFL rushing leader Derrick Henry to help Titans clinch AFC’s sixth seed. Titans made playoffs despite NFL’s worst field goal unit, using five kickers and not even attempting a field goal in four straight games.
FREE AGENCY: Released TE Delanie Walker, K Ryan Succop, RB Dion Lewis, LB Cameron Wake. Lost Mariota, RT Jack Conklin, WR Tajae Sharpe, CB LeShaun Sims, WR Darius Jennings. Re-signed Tannehill and RT Dennis Kelly. Used franchise tag on Henry. Traded DL Jurrell Casey to Denver. Agreed to deals with LB Vic Beasley Jr., TE MyCole Pruitt, OL Ty Sambriello, LB Nick Dzubnar, LB Kamalei Correa, DL Jack Crawford, DB Chris Milton.
THEY NEED: CB to replace three-year starter Logan Ryan, RB, WR, DL, OL, K.
THEY DON’T NEED: RB, LT, P.
POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: With no gaping holes to fill, Titans can pick best player available, so Houston OT Josh Jones, Clemson CB A.J. Terrell, TCU CB Jeff Gladney or Iowa DE A.J. Epenesa.
OUTLOOK: Titans want much more after two playoff appearances in three seasons, and having to play three straight road games in postseason drove home need to win AFC South to host at least one playoff game. Titans return 17 starters from AFC championship game and need only to fill depth in quest for franchise’s first division title since 2008.
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