While it’s easy to point to the Tennessee Titans’ best players as those who will be vital to the team’s success in 2020, there are others who are flying under the radar that could make a major impact this season.
None of the players listed here are expected to be full-time starters at the moment, but each guy could play his way into a significant role if they can prove to fill a need at their respective positions.
Of course, there isn’t enough room for each and every one of these guys to make a major impact in 2020, but even if a few can get it done, the Titans are going to be a tough team to beat.
Let’s see who makes the list of under-the-radar Titans that have the potential to make a major impact in 2020.
DB Amani Hooker
The Titans drafted Kristian Fulton with the idea that he could play slot cornerback in 2020, but there’s no guarantee that the rookie will be ready to take on such an important role right away.
Along with Fulton, Amani Hooker should be considered one of the favorites to come away with the job, as he was graded as an elite slot cornerback by Pro Football Focus during his college days. He also has an edge over Fulton in terms of NFL experience.
At the very least, the Titans are likely to deploy multiple players in the slot in 2020, and Hooker could be one of those players, if not the main guy.
WR Kalif Raymond
The Titans are going to be looking for a wide receiver who they can depend on to be a consistent deep threat in 2020 — and Kalif Raymond could be that guy after showing his ability as a game-breaker in 2019.
Raymond flashed impressive deep-threat potential in limited action, as his 10 catches (including playoffs) went for an average of 21.5 yards. Four of those receptions went for 32 yards or more.
His three 40-plus-yard receptions came in clutch moments, including a huge 45-yard touchdown grab in the divisional round game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Raymond’s Week 10 catch against the Kansas City Chiefs helped wake up the offense, and his Week 13 reception against the Indianapolis Colts put the Titans’ division rival away for good.
Raymond also figures to factor into the equation in the return game, as he averaged 11.3 yards per punt return and 22.4 yards per kick return last season.
Among qualified players, Raymond would have ranked No. 3 in punt return average and tied for No. 11 in kick return average last season.
OLB Kamalei Correa
With all the attention on the Titans’ starting edge defenders in Harold Landry and 2020 free-agent acquisition Vic Beasley, Kamalei Correa is somewhat flying under the radar once again this season.
Correa’s impact was felt in a big way after Cameron Wake was placed on IR with a season-ending injury after Week 12 of 2019.
From that point on, Correa totaled four sacks in the team’s last five regular season games, and then added two more in the Titans’ three playoff games. Correa’s five regular season sacks was a career-high.
It’s assumed that since the Titans spent money on Beasley this offseason he’ll be the starter opposite Landry, but don’t rule out Correa playing his way into that spot if he can continue performing at the level he did late last season.
OLB Derick Roberson
With the Titans desperately trying to find players who can make an impact in the pass-rush off the edge, if Derick Roberson can start 2020 how he finished 2019, he can find his way into some serious playing time.
Roberson first flashed his pass-rush skills with a pair of sacks in the Titans’ final preseason game last year, but he spent the majority of the season on the practice squad after that.
The UDFA out of Houston came alive when given the opportunity to play in the last two games of the regular season. In just 29 snaps, Roberson totaled three sacks, two of which came against an elite New Orleans Saints offensive line in Week 16.
A great sign that Roberson was gaining the trust of the coaching staff came in the form of him getting 63 snaps during the three playoff games. Roberson is a dark-horse candidate to get significant pass-rush snaps in 2020.
DL Isaiah Mack
An undrafted free-agent signing of the Titans in 2019, Isaiah Mack impressed enough during training camp and the preseason to make the team’s 53-man roster.
Mack flashed some pass-rush skills, totaling one sack in the preseason and then another 1.5 in limited action during the regular season. That’s important because the Titans really struggled to get a consistent pass-rush from the defensive line.
One spot that is undecided going into training camp is who will play next to DaQuan Jones and Jeffery Simmons upfront.
Mack has a real opportunity to get a starting nod in 2020 if he can continue to make strides as a pass-rusher, and he can certainly beat out his competition that will consist of veteran Jack Crawford and rookie Larrell Murchison.
OLB D’Andre Walker
The Titans’ fifth-round pick in 2019, D’Andre Walker is the third outside linebacker to make this list. That might be odd, but it underscores the uncertainty and promise at the position going into 2020.
As we’ve already stated, the Titans need a boost in the pass-rush, and any EDGE who can do that the best is going to get snaps, with Walker being among them.
Walker’s first season ended in disappointment, as he was placed on IR with an injury before even getting a chance to play. The Georgia product is working his way back, though, and should be ready for camp.
We still don’t know what to expect from Walker, which makes him one of the biggest wild cards on the Titans this season. However, if his college numbers are any indication, he could impact the Titans in multiple ways.
Per PFF, Walker earned a grade of 75 or better as a pass-rusher, run defender, tackler and in coverage in his final season at Georgia. Granted, college numbers don’t always translate to the NFL, but it’s encouraging to see.
Of course, expectations should be tempered, as Walker is basically a rookie this season, but we can’t rule him out as a player who could make a major impact at a position that, in my opinion, is wide open for playing time.
