A new-look Titans team will hit the field Sunday for the 2016 season opener against the Vikings.
New General Manager Jon Robinson and head coach Mike Mularkey have changed the identity of this team. Literally.
There are 23 new players on the team's 53-man roster compared to last season. The focus has been on adding veteran experience, toughness and team first guys.
But the team's chances of getting out of the NFL's cellar in 2016 and competing in the AFC South will come down to the play of these six guys.
1. MARCUS MARIOTA
For all the focus on the running game this offseason and in training camp, Mariota is still the face of the franchise. The no. 2 overall pick in 2015 had a banner rookie year despite a pair of knee injuries, setting Titans' rookie records for pass completions, yards and touchdowns. The improved run game should mean Mariota will be required to shoulder less of the load this year, but the Titans would love to see him have better ball security and third down performance while continuing his mastery in the red zone.
2. QUINTON SPAIN
Mariota's importance makes it critical the a Titans do a better job protecting him this season and Spain should play a big role in the offensive line's ability to do that. The second-year left guard out of West Virginia won the starting job out of the preseason to solidify a new-look O-Line. Along with Spain, center Ben Jones and rookie right tackle Jack Conklin are also new. The unit looked good in he preseason and the Titans hope they can continue to protect Mariota and open holes for the running game in the regular season.
3. DEMARCO MURRAY
With all the talk of Derrick Henry's preseason (2nd in NFL in rushing), it's important to remember that Murray will be the team's starting running back. The 2014 NFL rushing champ showed that he still had it in the preseason, averaging 8.1 yards per carry. The team acquired Murray from the Eagles for a reason and Mularkey says He will get the bulk of the carries with Henry spelling him for stretches when needed.
4. DELANIE WALKER
The veteran tight end had a monster season a year ago, catching 94 balls for over a thousand yards and was rewarded with his first trip to the Pro Bowl. The addition of weapons like Murray and Henry make it unlikely that Walker will be able to match those numbers, but he still enters the season as Mariota's favorite and most reliable target. The Titans need him to come up big on third downs and in the red zone for this offense to reach full throttle.
5. JURRELL CASEY
One of the most underrated players in the league, Casey joined Walker at the Pro Bowl in January after being named to the game as a replacement. Casey after a slow adjustment to the 3-4 defense two years ago, Casey regained his disruptive form with seven sacks last season. Expect him to do even more with legendary defensive mastermind Dick LeBeau in charge of the defense this year.
6. JASON MCCOURTY AND PERRISH COX
The Titans' two starting cornerbacks are healthy and will be on the field together for Sunday's season opener against the Vikings. That's been a rarity since Cox was signed in the spring of 2015 with McCourty missing most of last year with a groin injury and Cox missing most of the preseason due to an ankle sprain. If both can stay healthy and on the field it could go along way to fixing a secondary that was victimized repeatedly for its soft coverage during the preseason and enters the year as one of the team's biggest concerns.
