4. Rookies debut in prominent roles on depth chart
As a reminder, the unofficial depth chart is always subject to change. It simply serves as a guide, more so for the media than the coaches. That being said, the first depth chart of the regular season featured a couple of rookies in prominent roles.
Evan Neal will start at right tackle, which is hardly a surprise after the Giants selected him with the No. 7 overall pick. Wan'Dale Robinson (No. 43 overall) is listed as one of the starting wide receivers, while Daniel Bellinger (No. 112) is the starter at tight end. Additionally, Joshua Ezeudu (No. 67) is on the depth chart as the backup at both left tackle and left guard.
On the defensive side of the ball, only Kayvon Thibodeaux (No. 5) is currently listed in the starting lineup. However, he is not the only rookie that could have a key role on the defense early in the season. Following the release of Blake Martinez, Micah McFadden (No. 146) is in competition for one of the starting inside linebacker positions after his strong preseason performance.
Dane Belton (No. 114), who missed the entire preseason with an injury, is also listed as the backup to both Xavier McKinney and Julian Love, while Cor'Dale Flott (No. 81) is the backup at all three cornerback positions.
5. Scouting the Titans
It's pretty clear the Titans offense revolves around Derrick Henry. Henry has been perhaps the best running back in the NFL over the last few seasons. He rushed for 1,540 yards and 16 touchdowns, with an average of 5.1 yards per carry, in 2019. The following year, he put up a jaw-dropping 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground, with averages of 5.4 yards per carry and 126.7 yards per game, on his way to being named Offensive Player of the Year. A foot injury derailed Henry's 2021 campaign, but not before he picked up 937 yards and 10 touchdowns in just eight games. Coach Brian Daboll knows that slowing down the talented, bruising running back will be one of the biggest priorities for the defense.
"It's well documented what he's done so far. He's just a really good football player," Daboll said. "I know him as a person, too. I met him down a few times in Alabama. Got a ton of respect for him as a man and certainly as a player. He's one heck of a player. You name it, he can do it…
"We're going to have to have all hands-on deck and do the best job we can of running to the football and gang tackling, and you even see him on plays, he might have three or four guys on him, and somehow, he squirts through. He's just a unique player. He's very, very good."
On the other side of the ball, the Titans have a couple of outstanding defenders coming off All-Pro seasons, one up front and one in the secondary. DL Jeffery Simmons registered 8.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits and 62 total pressures in this third season last year on his way to being named second-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler.
Then there is S Kevin Byard, who is coming off a stellar 2021 campaign. Byard was selected to his second career Pro Bowl and was named first team All-Pro for the second time. He recorded five interceptions, 13 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, two defensive touchdowns and 88 total tackles (57 solo) and didn't miss a game. His 90.4 overall grade and 90.9 coverage grade from PFF were the highest grades among all safeties, while his 83.8 run defense grade was also among the top marks at the position.
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