NFL teams
Cameron Wolfe, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

Titans' aggressive offseason designed to help Marcus Mariota

The Tennessee Titans ended their offseason program on June 14. Here's a look at how they fared:

Offseason goals: Execute the plan of "maximizing" Marcus Mariota -- the plan Titans general manager Jon Robinson put in place when he made a change from head coach Mike Mularkey and offensive coordinator Terry Robiskie to Mike Vrabel and Matt LaFleur -- by removing any scheme limitations and putting Mariota in a situation where he can truly show his value going forward. The first big team step should be winning the AFC South and hosting a playoff game for the first time since 2008. Becoming a championship contender would be the Titans' next goal shortly after.

How they fared: Above average

Move I liked: Being aggressive in the draft. The Titans traded up twice in the first two rounds to select potential impact defenders in Rashaan Evans and Harold Landry. The move handicapped them with an NFL-low four draft picks, but they trusted their evaluations and made a win-now move in a search for more elite players. Evans should be a Day 1 starter and future leader of the defense. Landry will be a top reserve pass-rusher in 2018 but could become the No. 1 edge rusher by next season.

Move I didn't like: The Titans' offensive line took a step back in 2017 because of its interior play, and the team didn't add much starting-caliber talent to improve the depth and competition. Quinton Spain, penciled as the starting left guard, could be the weak spot in a zone-blocking scheme. The inability to sign Taylor Lewan to an extension before the end of spring creates an unnecessary headache. Jack Conklin is uncertain for Week 1 as he recovers from a torn ACL. There are still many question marks here.

Biggest question still to be answered in training camp: Do the Titans have enough reliable options at wide receiver? This is arguably Tennessee's weakest unit after an underachieving 2017 campaign and a 2018 offseason that largely ignored the position. Robinson said, "I like the position group, I really do." The big key will be 2017 first-round pick Corey Davis, whom the Titans are expecting to become their No. 1 receiver in 2018 after an injury-plagued rookie season. Mariota is beginning to develop more chemistry with Davis this offseason. But outside of Rishard Matthews, the rest of the group is filled with question marks. Don't discount another veteran addition here.

Quotable: "We're not going to run it into eight or nine guys. We're not going to be silly. I believe in screens. I believe in play-action, things he does well. We're going to give Marcus some easy-access throws, RPOs or run relief. I believe that players are more important than plays. ... There's ways to win games in this league without a franchise QB. We've got one. We're going to develop him." -- Titans coach Mike Vrabel on Marcus Mariota.

Salary-cap space: $34.15 million

2018 draft picks: LB Rashaan Evans, OLB Harold Landry, DB Dane Cruikshank, QB Luke Falk

Undrafted rookie free agents signed: P Austin Barnard, WR Cameron Batson, WR Deontay Burnett, RB Dalyn Dawkins, LB Nick DeLuca, OT Matt Diaz, DE Matt Dickerson, C Nico Falah, OLB Sharif Finch, CB Rico Gafford, CB Joshua Kalu, OT Elijah Nkansah, DT Mike Ramsay, WR Devin Ross, G Aaron Stinnie, WR Jordan Veasy, S Damon Webb, RB Akrum Wadley, TE Ethan Wolf, CB Joseph Este, TE Anthony Firkser, DE Connor Flagel, OLB Tobenna Okeke, LB Robert Spillane, WR Brandon Shippen, CB Jarell Carter

Unrestricted free agents signed: CB Malcolm Butler, G Josh Kline, RB Dion Lewis, DL DaQuan Jones, G/T Kevin Pamphile, DL Bennie Logan, G Xavier Su'a-Filo, S Kendrick Lewis, QB Blaine Gabbert, WR Michael Campanaro, LB Will Compton, WR Nick Williams

Restricted free agents signed: G Quinton Spain

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