The Tennessee Titans have fully transitioned to a new era on both sides of the ball in 2024 after the team parted with several stalwarts this offseason and fired former head coach Mike Vrabel in favor of head coach Brian Callahan and his staff.
The Titans are hoping that Will Levis can prove to be the long-term solution after parting with Ryan Tannehill, and Tyjae Spears is going to play a key role in an offense that no longer has Derrick Henry at running back.
Tennessee has also rebuilt its offensive line, with the additions of JC Latham and Lloyd Cushenberry, and the Titans are returning 2023 first-round pick Peter Skoronski, who was promising during his first season in the NFL.
Defensively, the Titans have to sort things out at a few positions, including inside linebacker, where 2023 starter Azeez Al-Shaair left in free agency. Linebacker Otis Reese is competing for a starting role but will likely end up as a backup.
In a recent article naming second-year breakout candidates across the NFL, The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner listed four Titans in Levis, Spears, Skoronski and Reese.
Baumgardner naming Reese was shocking, but not because he didn't show flashes last season. It's shocking because the national media often overlooks the Titans' best players, let alone those who aren't the faces of the team.
Here's what Baumgardner wrote on Reese:
The best rookie linebacker in 2023 was Vikings undrafted free agent Ivan Pace Jr. But another UDFA, Reese showed real promise and serious play speed for a handful of games late last season. He could be an answer inside for the Titans this season.
As for Levis, Spears and Skoronski being named breakout candidates, that comes as no surprise. All three flashed during their rookie campaigns and are primed to do big things in 2024.