Offensive line help is bigger need for Titans than wide receiver – even with A.J. Brown gone

Welcome to Talkin' Titans. This is Tennessee Titans beat reporter Ben Arthur. In today's newsletter, I offer my thoughts on the Titans' most pressing need. 

The Titans wide receiver room took a massive blow when star A.J. Brown was traded to the Eagles. 

But there’s reasons for optimism with first-round rookie Treylon Burks – who’s been compared to Brown – the addition of veteran standout Robert Woods and fifth-round rookie Kyle Philips, who could have an immediate role as a slot receiver. 

Then you look at the Titans’ offensive line. It entered free agency and the draft needing to replace starters at left guard and right tackle.  

After the early waves of free agency and with the draft over, nothing has changed. There’s no obvious replacement at either spot. 

That’s why I see offensive-line help as the Titans’ biggest need as we head deeper into the offseason, with OTAs fast approaching. Adding veteran depth upfront should be a priority for general manager Jon Robinson. 

It’s not that there isn’t big uncertainty at receiver. The room is built to depend largely on the 30-year-old Woods, who tore his ACL in November. 

But Tennessee has selected four receivers in the last two drafts: Burks, Philips, Dez Fitzpatrick and Racey McMath. With Brown gone, it has the opportunity to see what it truly has in them. 

The Titans’ only additions this offseason to an O-line that was woeful in pass protection in 2021 have been Jamarco Jones, a career backup, and Nicholas Petit-Frere, a third-round rookie. 

Tennessee intends to give 2021 second-rounder Dillon Radunz, who had a disappointing rookie season, a chance to start. Its lack of additions upfront indicate such. 

What if he doesn’t make the Year 2 leap, though? Who’s the insurance blanket? How will the O-line hold up against the gauntlet of elite pass rushers it's scheduled to face in 2022? 

Those are the big questions on offense, the unit that must drastically improve, the Titans should be grappling with. 

Any questions or inquiries about the Titans' offseason? Send me a note. I'd be happy to answer. My email is BArthur@tennessean.com.