As training camps approach, fantasy football managers are beginning to prep themselves for upcoming drafts, most of which will take place closer to the start of the season.
As far as fantasy football options are concerned, the Titans’ offensive weapons aren’t as attractive as they’ve been the past few years.
Analysts are rightly down on the offense going into 2022. Tennessee’s unit had a down season in 2021 after being one of the best offenses in the NFL the two years prior.
There’s no question quarterback Ryan Tannehill was a big part of that, but he also had to deal with a ton of injuries around him and shoddy pass protection.
Making matters worse for the Titans, they no longer have one of the most explosive receivers in the NFL in A.J. Brown, who was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2022 NFL draft.
Despite all that, we aren’t giving up on the idea that the Titans’ offense can produce multiple viable fantasy football options in 2022.
Here’s a look the best of the bunch.
QB Ryan Tannehill
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
Tannehill had a down year in 2021 but still finished as a top-12 quarterback overall. The veteran has a safe floor thanks to his ability to run and can be a top-10 fantasy signal-caller as he showed in 2020 when he finished as QB7.
But an uncertain situation at wide receiver after the A.J. Brown trade, a potentially shaky offensive line, and his coming off a bad year remain concerns.
Regardless, he’s a borderline starter in 12-team leagues with every-week QB1 upside if he rebounds.
Projected value: QB2 with QB1 upside
RB Derrick Henry
Syndication: The Tennessean
Henry was on pace to have another monster season in 2021 before suffering a foot injury that knocked him out for half the regular season, but he still managed to finish as RB22 in points-per-reception formats.
The most encouraging thing about Henry’s injury-shortened campaign was his bigger involvement in the passing game. The Alabama product had 18 receptions in eight games, just one shy of his career-high.
Many analysts are down on Henry as a result of his injury from last season, but underestimate him at your own risk. Until we see a decline, Henry remains one of the best options at running back in fantasy.
Projected value: Elite RB1
WR Robert Woods
Syndication: The Tennessean
Woods is slated to be Tennessee’s No. 1 receiver in 2022, but he does come with some concerns. Not only is he part of a run-heavy offense, but Woods is also coming off a torn ACL and it’s possible he won’t be himself his first year back.
Even with that said, Woods is the best of the bunch when it comes to the Titans’ fantasy options at wide receiver and he has shown the ability to produce borderline WR1 numbers in the past.
Projected value: WR2
WR Treylon Burks
Syndication: The Tennessean
Burks is expected to assume the No. 2 role behind Woods in his first season, but as we know rookie wideouts are always unpredictable. Also concerning is Burks’ inability to stay on the practice field this offseason.
If he wants a significant role early on, Burks has to avoid missing any more practice reps and must show out in training camp overall. We’re still confident he’ll do just that.
Projected value: WR3/Flex
TE Austin Hooper
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
After emerging as a TE1 as member of the Atlanta Falcons in 2019, Hooper has become mostly an afterthought in fantasy circles since, finishing as TE21 and TE24 in his two years with the Cleveland Browns.
However, there is hope better days are ahead for Hooper in Tennessee, where the team has an uncertain situation at wide receiver and will need all the help it can get in the passing game.
Hooper should have a bigger role than the one he had in Cleveland, but being in a run-heavy offense could once again limit his opportunities and production overall.
Projected value: TE2
Titans D/ST
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The Titans had one of the best defenses in the NFL last season, finishing No. 2 against the run and No. 6 in points allowed per game. And, with the Titans returning all but one starter in 2022, this unit figures to be as good, if not better.
While we’d like to see more turnovers and better coverage from this group, the Titans are set to sport one of the better pass-rushes in the NFL after tallying 43 sacks in 2021, tied for ninth in the league. That should help with both of the aforementioned concerns.
Tennessee’s pass-rush should be even better this coming season, as Bud Dupree figures to be improved in his second year back from a torn ACL following a disappointing Year 1 in Nashville.
Projected value: D/ST1
