This upcoming 2014 NFL season, a wide variety of relatively unheralded sophomore and third-year players will inherit or take over key roles for even the best teams in the NFL. Whether it’s an already established starter who will now be assuming more responsibility, or a green, untested player who will now look to become a reliable backup, every roster depth chart has a few big question marks.
Justin Hunter, Chance Warmack and the new look Titans
The Titans are attempting to snap a five-year postseason drought. If they snap that streak this season, Justin Hunter and some of his fellow breakout candidates may be a big reason why.
Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
In this series, we’ve been breaking down “who” we think those players are, “where” they play, “why” they’ll potentially play a key role in 2014 and “how” they’ll succeed in that.
On tap today, we have the Titans.
Who: Cordarrelle Patterson got a lot of attention coming out of college, but he wasn't the only freak athlete of a wide receiver drafted from Tennessee in 2013. Tennessee grabbed Hunter in the second round. The long, explosive Hunter showed flashes as a rookie, but they were inconsistent flashes.
Where: Kendall Wright established himself last season and Nate Washington is back for another season. Hunter will compete for playing time, but appears to be the clear No. 3 receiver heading into camp.
Photo credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Why: Athletically, Hunter compares well to any receiver in the league. He runs in the 4.4s, is 6’4 and explosive. He flashed those traits at times last season and was a big play threat when he touched the ball, averaging 19.7 yards per reception. His ceiling is much higher than Washington’s and even Wright’s, if he can ever approach it.
How: Consistency. Listen to Ken Whisenhunt talk about Hunter and you won't have to wait long to hear the word consistent. Hunter isn't yet. From the little things like route depth to his hands, he is far from a refined product. If that consistency comes, Hunter has Dez Bryant-like ability.
Who: It takes a rare prospect for a pure guard to be a top 10 pick. Warmack was that prospect coming out of Alabama and the Titans selected him No. 10 overall. He slotted into the starting lineup from Week 1 and started 16 games as a rookie.
Where: Warmack will be back starting at right guard, this time playing next to free-agent acquisition Michael Oher.
Photo credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Why: Warmack was supposed to be NFL ready coming out of college. Although he started every game, his performance was uneven. Whisenhunt said Warmack put on too much weight during his rookie season. If he keeps his weight in check this season, it could lead to more consistency and help him live up to the promise of a top 10 player. If Warmack is good, the Titans have the makings of one of the better offensive lines in the AFC.
How: At Alabama, Warmack was a powerful player who dominated at the point of attack and was able to use his strength to hold up in pass protection. That wasn’t the case last year where he struggled against bull rushers. Playing with a stronger base and holding up against the rush is the first key to success. If he does that, he should take a significant step forward as he was already a decent run blocker.
LB Zaviar Gooden
Who: A third-round pick in 2013, Gooden was limited by a camp injury early last season. The Missouri product went on to appear in nine games, tallying 12 tackles.
Where: Gooden is competing with Zach Brown for playing time at one of the inside linebacker spots in Tennessee's new 3-4 defense. Wesley Woodyard is expected to start at the left inside spot, leaving Gooden competing for the other job.
Why: In defensive coordinator Ray Horton’s system, athletic linebackers are king. There are plays to be made from sideline to sideline and there is no question Gooden has the required athletic ability. He was one of the top performers at the combine, running a 4.47-second 40-yard dash while showing well in the other drills.
How: If Gooden is going to establish himself as a solid NFL player this season, he’s going to need to stay healthy. He missed most of training camp last season and battled injuries throughout the year. If he’s on the field, his athletic ability should allow him to shine in a system designed for linebackers to make plays. Brown is currently the starter, but he has struggled at times and was benched last year. A similar result this year could open a door for Gooden.
CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson
Who: A third-round pick out of Connecticut, Wilson didn’t get a lot of action last season. At 6’1 and 198 pounds he fits the current trend of tall, long cornerbacks.
Where: Wreh-Wilson is competing with Coty Sensabaugh for the starting spot opposite of Jason McCourty. Even if he doesn't win the starting job on the outside, Wreh-Wilson still figures to see plenty of snaps in the nickel package.
Photo credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Why: The Titans have very big shoes to fill at corner following Alterraun Verner’s departure in free agency. Tennessee opted against making a splash in free agency and instead will fill the void with players already on the roster. With everyone moving one spot up the depth chart, Wreh-Wilson will get a chance to shine this season. He was on the field for less than 100 snaps last season, but should see that number increase dramatically, even as the nickel corner.
How: Seattle has built the model for big cornerbacks. Richard Sherman and company aren't without weaknesses, they just don't let the opposing teams exploit them and instead impose their strengths. For Wreh-Wilson, that means a physical, aggressive brand of football. Pressing receivers at the line and using his size and physicality to his advantage. That includes in the run game, where a player as aggressive as Wreh-Wilson can be a difference maker.
See More:
