Monday, June 16, 2014

TENNESSEE TITANS 2014 FANTASY OUTLOOK



It is never too early to start preparing for your fantasy football drafts. Every year we see big name personnel and impactful coaches bringing their schemes to different teams around the NFL. Let’s take a look at the TENNESSEE TITANS.

Tennessee Titans 

One key coaching change this offseason was Tennessee bringing over Ken Whisenhunt and Jason Michael from San Diego. The tandem will bring over many packages from the Ace/W Personnel scheme that creates value for the number 1 RB, the “X” receiver, and the TE positions. 

From the RB position we can look at Bishop Sankey as a real candidate to run away with the primary duties, ahead of veterans like Shonn Greene, Dexter McCluster, and Jackie Battle. This is largely due to the fact that his size and skill set as a true three down back will be too enticing to the coaching staff to have him sit behind a committee of one trick ponies. At 5”9, 209 lbs. Sankey has the lower body strength, to accompany his advanced vision, and deceptively quick burst to not only hit the holes between the tackles effectively but he will also be a threat to bounce the ball to the outside. Although, pass protection abilities are the key for any RB trying to earn any carries on the field, and Sankey will be no exception to this rule. He will need to shore up his consistency in the passing game as both a blocker and a receiver to gain serious consideration for the bell cow duties. If he can take advantage of the opportunity ahead of him don’t be surprised to him as the full-time, three-down back and the possibility of stealing some of the short yardage carries from the burly Greene.

Taking a look at the WR’s, the opportunity is there for a significant leap in production from the Volunteer alum, Justin Hunter. While durability issues have slowed his development, he will get every opportunity to win the #1 WR role in Whis’z WR friendly offense. At 6”4, his elite size, his track and field speed, and his experience learning the nuances of the NFL route tree make him a prime candidate to take over Kenny Britt’s starting spot  at the “X” across from the ultra-talented, Kendall Wright. He showed some incredible flashes, including a game winning TD catch against the SD Chargers that show the impact a guy with his frame and set of wheels can have at the NFL level. He was a near lock to be a first round NFL draft pick before his 2011 ACL tear, and has the upside to turn into a fantasy contributor on a weekly basis. Unfortunately, the fantasy potential of all pass-catchers on this team ride on the arm of the overwhelmingly average QB play of Jake Locker and Co. 

DYNASTY: Look for Zach Mettenberger to take over the reins if Locker doesn’t perform, or misses more time with an injury. Mettenberger brings an NFL caliber arm with the ability to make every throw out on the field. This change could be an opportunity to open up the vertical offense, giving the Tennessee WR core a boost in fantasy potential.

While Delanie Walker is most definitely not the elite TE that Antonio Gates was, we could see Jason Michaels putting extra emphasis on him as the new offensive coordinator. He has been the TE coach in SD for the past 3 years and was hand-picked by Whisenhunt to come over to run his offense. With Michael’s knowledge of Whiz’s offense and experience utilizing TE’s in the passing game, it is safe to assume Walkers’ 60/571/6 campaign from a year ago will be duplicated and maybe more.



-         Jeremy Levinson  TWITTER!!!!

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