The Tennessee Titans are heading into their Week 9 bye with a chance to catch their breath, and for a roster dealing with nagging injuries, that break comes at the right time. Tony Pollard, Carnell Tate, Calvin Ridley and John Franklin-Myers are among the players who should benefit from the extra week to rest and recover.
It’s been a rocky first half for Tennessee. There was real optimism around the team after the coaching staff changes and the new additions, but that mood took a quick hit when the Titans dropped their opener to the New York Jets. Since then, the season has only gotten bumpier.
Tennessee has just one win so far, and the source material notes that at least three of the losses came with officiating controversy attached. That doesn’t erase the Titans’ responsibility to execute, but it does add another layer to a frustrating stretch that has left them with plenty to sort through during the bye.
With Week 10 ahead, the Titans have time to reset, get healthier and take a hard look at what has and hasn’t worked. One useful snapshot comes from Pro Football Focus’ midseason grades, which highlight the team’s best and worst performers through the first half. To qualify, players had to appear in at least five games.
Pollard sits at the top of the offense with an 85.6 grade, and Cam Ward follows at 74.7. J.C. Latham comes in next at 69.1, while Chimere Dike checks in at 67.7 and Carnell Tate rounds out the top five at 66.5.
At the other end of the offensive list, the lowest marks belong to Atonio Mafi at 41.9 and Austin Schlottmann at 45.0. Calvin Ridley is also near the bottom at 52.8, followed by Daniel Bellinger at 54.0 and Dan Moore Jr. at 56.5.
Defensively, Amani Hooker leads the way with an 81.0 grade, ahead of Jeffery Simmons at 76.7 and Femi Oladejo at 74.2. John Franklin-Myers is next at 65.1, with Jermaine Johnson right behind him at 64.2.
The lowest defensive grades belong to Nazir Stackhouse at 33.3 and Alontae Taylor at 37.6. Keldric Faulk is at 47.4, Jacob Martin at 49.5 and Jordan Elliott at 49.7.
Special teams has been a strong area for Tennessee. Julius Chestnut tops that group with a 90.5 grade, followed by Truman Jones at 82.5. Cedric Gray posts a 67.9, Morgan Cox a 64.5 and Micah Robinson a 63.7.
The bottom of the special teams chart includes Erick Hallett at 41.3, James Williams at 46.3, Femi Oladejo at 50.6, Terrell Burgess at 50.8 and Gunnar Helm at 52.3.
A few other notable grades round out the picture: Peter Skoronski is at 66.3, Wan’Dale Robinson at 64.2 and Gunnar Helm at 63.3. Cody Barton is at 62.4, Marcus Harris at 61.4 and Cor’Dale Flott at 61.0. Tommy Townsend’s punting-only grade is 69.1, Chimere Dike’s return work comes in at 53.6 overall with a 49.6 kick return grade and a 65.7 punt return grade, and Joey Slye’s field-goal-only grade is 85.0.
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Singleton has already been the name to watch in a backfield that has been waiting for clarity, and a Pollard trade would force the Titans to sort out how the touches are divided. For a team still trying to define its identity on offense, the ripple effect could reach beyond one player and change the way the entire running game is managed. [Read more 🡒]