Mariota could be left hanging while Titans' rebuild

The Tennessee Titans took over division rival Houston Texans’ spot as worst team in the league last year. The team enters 2015 with more than a few roster holes still to deal with, but at least there is hope at the quarterback position in Marcus Mariota. The concern this year, however, is if Mariota will be left hanging to dry by the lack of talent around him.

Offensive Breakdown

Not a lot for rookie QB Mariota to work with

Starting a massive rebuild with a top-of-the-draft quarterback makes sense on paper, but the problem quickly becomes that quarterback – in this case Marcus Mariota – comes in with very little help to succeed.

Mariota's draft stock was all over the place before eventually settling in behind Jameis Winston at second overall. The Oregon product was quickly named the Titans starting QB. The Hawaiian’s talent is undeniable – he threw for nearly 4,500 yards, added another 770 on the ground, and accounted for 58 total touchdowns his junior year at Oregon on way to a Heisman trophy – but coming from a spread offence he'll have a harder transition to pro ball, especially with little running game to lean on and an uninspiring receiving corps to throw to.

It appears the Titans whiffed on second-round running back Bishop Sankey last year after the Washington product averaged just 3.7 yards per carry and scored only two touchdowns in his rookie year. The hope right now is fifth-round pick David Cobb takes the ball and runs with it, or at least looks solid enough to split carries with Sankey.

To start the season, Mariota will be throwing to Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter, a former first-rounder and early second-rounder who have each failed to meet expectations in their early careers. Tight end Delanie Walker is solid, and, after falling just 100 yards short of 1,000 last year, could be Mariota’s favourite target.

The rookie QB should at least have his blindside properly protected, with Taylor Lewan looking like the real deal in his rookie season last year. But the rest of the offensive line is worrisome. If Chance Warmack continues his late onset progression, that would help.

PLAYER TO WATCH: WR DORIAL GREEN-BECKHAM

The Titans took perhaps the cleanest prospect in the draft from a character perspective in Mariota, so with karma in the bank, they grabbed character-concern Green-Beckham in the second round. Green-Beckham slid only because of his off-field issues and is probably already the most talented pass-catcher on the Titans’ roster. If he can stay clear of any transgressions – he’ll have an excellent example to follow in his QB – the Missouri product should lead the team in receptions.

IN: T Byron Bell, WR Harry Douglas, TE Anthony Fasano, WR Hakeem Nicks

OUT: QB Jake Locker, T Michael Oher, WR Nate Washington

Defensive Breakdown

Titans' star coaches will need to coach talent up

The Titans did very little to improve a leaky defence that finished 27th in the league last year, giving up a whopping 373 yards per game. What they do have going for them is a pretty impressive collective of defensive brain power in Ray Horton and Dick LeBeau. Horton, whose name has come up as a head coaching candidate in the past, remains as defensive coordinator, while LeBeau, who’s revered by Steelers fans for his work with defences, joins as assistant coach.

They’ll have their work cut out for them to improve a front seven that got pushed around last year to the tune of 137 rushing yards against per game, and added only Brian Orakpo to the mix this off-season. Orakpo is a fine player against both the pass and run, but struggles mightily to stay healthy.

Horton and LeBeau’s job should be easier in the secondary, where the team was better to begin with even before the Da’Norris Searcy addition. Searcy joins solid if unspectacular players Jason McCourty, Perrish Cox, and Michael Griffin in what could be an above average unit.

IN: CB Perrish Cox, LB Brian Orakpo, S Da’Norris Searcy

OUT: S Bernard Pollard, S George Wilson

Draft

The Titans could have as many as five rookie starters in their lineup by the end of the year. Mariota is already locked in behind centre and if Green-Beckham keeps his nose clean, should join the starters as Mariota’s favourite target before too long. Third rounder Jeremiah Poutasi is expected to push for the right tackle job while fourth-round DT Angelo Blackson and fifth round RB David Cobb are expected to see plenty of snaps at part of positional rotations.