NFL Betting Online: At the very least No. 2 overall pick Marcus Mariota represents a tangible upgrade, even as a rookie. At best, he could become Russell Wilson 2.0.
2014 Season Record: 2-14 SU, 3-12-1 ATS, 6-10 O/U
2015 Regular Season Wins Total: 5.5, -108 O, -112 U
Odds to Win Super Bowl: +25000
Odds to Win AFC: +11500
Odds to Win Division: +2900
When you’ve sunk as far as the Titans have, just returning to relevancy is the first step in constructing a turnaround. And Tennessee now has a reason for fans to pay attention, having drafted franchise quarterback Marcus Mariota with the No. 2 pick.
Tennessee certainly made an effort to overhaul major positions of need, most notably at the quarterback spot. With only two wins in 2014 the Titans were forced to make moves. And the selection of Mariota puts the dark days of the Jake Locker era behind them.
But the former Oregon Duck better be prepared for what’s ahead because there isn’t much help surrounding him. This isn’t the run-and-gun college game and there’s a good chance Mariota takes more hits in his first few games than he did during his entire college career.
The quicker Mariota learns the pro game the better off both he and the team will be and that isn’t an issue, according to head coach Ken Whisenhunt. “There’s good reason to be really excited about him,” the coach said.
Few players have star potential however Bishop Sankey flashed signs in his rookie season, and looks like he could become a very good NFL running back. The Titans are excited about receiver Dorial Green-Beckham, who stands 6-foot-5, and almost 240 pounds, while running a 4.49 40-time. Unless he gets in trouble off the field, we’ll look at this pick years later as a major steal.
On defense, the additions of cornerback Perrish Cox and linebacker Brian Orakpo give the Titans upgrades, but I don’t see significant improvement from 2014’s No. 27 ranked defense to see them ranking in the top half of the league in total defense.
Orakpo and Derek Morgan give the Titans a good pair of edge rushers to get after the quarterback and Jurrell Casey is an imposing figure from his end spot in the 3-4 defensive alignment. But otherwise this is an average-at-best defense.
There's a possibility for a surprising start with road games at Tampa and Cleveland to open and it’s not out of the question that if Mariota thrives early, the Titans could triple their 2014 win total.
KEY ADDITIONS: LB Brian Orakpo, S Da’Norris Searcy, TE Anthony Fasano, CB Perrish Cox, WR Harry Douglas.
KEY LOSSES: OT Michael Roos, LB Kamerion Wimbley, SS Bernard Pollard, WR Nate Washington, QB Jake Locker, OT Michael Oher, LB Dontay Moch.
It's hard to win less than five games in back-to-back seasons, but the Titans look primed to do it. Marcus Mariota doesn't feel like an instant impact type of guy, even if Ken Whisenhunt can mold an offense around him. Tennessee is a longshot to win the AFC South and deservedly so.
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