Titans Player Group Profile- Offensive Line

Can the Titans offensive line return to form in 2016?

(Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)

 Reasons to be happy, and reasons to worry about the Titans offensive line.

            To start it off,  let's take a look at the potential starting lineup. At starting tackles, we have Taylor Lewan (Left Tackle) and Jack Conklin (Right Tackle). Lewan is a player that showed flashes of greatness. He needs to step up his game in order to secure Mariota’s blind side. Jack Conklin is a different type of player though.

While Lewan is set in stone at left tackle, Conklin is a very movable player. He has played both right and left tackle. This is a very good sign because if Lewan goes down with an injury, Conklin can step in wherever he is needed. While playing at Michigan State University, Conklin was a First-Team All-American and First-Team All-Big Ten.

I believe that these starting tackles can help Mariota stay off of his back. They are both big guys with Lewan measuring at 6’ 8”, 315 lbs, and Conklin measuring at 6’6” 308 lbs. They are big enough to match up with big pass rushers like Von Miller and Khalil Mack, but we just have to see if they can hold up against them this season.

Photo: George Walker IV/The Tennessean

Now looking at potential starting guards. Chance Warmack is a probable at right guard, but he might have to deal with a little bit of competition from Quinton Spain. Warmack needs to prove himself this year since the team denied his 5^th year option. The other side is a big question mark though. The left tackle position could be Quinton Spain, who earned a starting role towards the end of the season last year, or it could be rookie out of Arkansas, Sebastian Tretola. He is a big man with his 6’ 4”, 314 lbs frame. He was also First-Team All-SEC his senior year.

I believe that the first part of the season will be a trial run for the guards and then after that, we will have our answer at left guard, and Mariota will be getting sacked a lot less.

Photo: George Walker IV/The Tennessean

At center, there’s not much of a competition. Ben Jones was brought in for the sole reason of making our o-line larger. He is 6’ 3”, 316 lbs. That might not seem that big, but he is a very strong and solid guy as pictured here.

My prediction for the starting offensive line is Taylor Lewan at left tackle, Sebastian Tretola at left guard, Ben Jones at center, Chance Warmack at right guard for the first half of the season and then Quinton Spain takes over halfway through the season, and last, but not least, Jack Conklin at right tackle.

            I believe that the Titans offensive line will be an improved group from last year, which isn’t saying much. I believe that Mariota will have more time to throw, Murray will return to his old self, and Henry will have a breakout rookie season. This is all because the o-line will improve exponentially.

My next article will be posted tomorrow and will be my second “Bold” prediction. Just remember to not talk to strangers, and Titan Up!!!

-James