Tennessee Titans: Could the Titans offensive line return to the best in the NFL

The Titans offensive line was the best in the NFL just a few years ago, but they have slipped a bit but could return to prominence in 2019.

The Titans have been working on multiple position groups throughout the offseason including one of the most important ones the offensive line. With Marcus Mariota entering a contract year, and he will need his line to be healthy and ready to go so he can play a full season.

In 2016, the Titans offensive line reached their peak and were the best in the NFL. Last season the Titans continued to fall and were right there in the middle of the pack at 17 when it came to the overall offensive line performance.

The Titans still have three of the five linemen from 2016, they have just aged a bit. Rodger Saffold and Kevin Pamphile were the two linemen who did not premiere on that 2016 o-line but will most likely be starters in 2019.

The average age on the offensive line is 27.8 years old. Some may consider that young, others may think old, but I think they’re just savvy veterans.

The 2016 line ranked among the best in both pass blocking and run blocking. The 2018 offensive line ranked 29th in pass blocking and allowed 47 sacks. They ranked 22nd for running back yards per carry with 4.24 yards.

The line definitely took a dip last season as did the entire team. That is pretty common under a first-year head coach so I wouldn’t stress too much over that for the future.

We all know how good Taylor Lewan and Jack Conklin are on the outside so I wouldn’t even worry about them as long as they can stay healthy.

Conklin missed a good chunk of last season which left some unknowns at right tackle. If Conklin can come back healthy in 2019, he can once again regain his dominance at the tackle position.

My worries for 2019, other than injuries, is at the two guard positions. Pamphile played in three games last season before getting injured and missing the rest of the season.

Saffold has been healthy for most of his career but does have four seasons where he did not play four or more games. He is a nine-year veteran who has ranked in the top ten in his position in eight of his nine seasons.

The Titans let Quinton Spain walk who ranked sixth at his position last season and replaced him with a solid player in Saffold. I think these guys play very similar and I would say the Titans won’t take much of a step back at left guard.

Another plus with Saffold over Spain is Spain has yet to play a full season. He has missed at least one game in his four-year career. Saffold is a little more reliable, and that’s why I believe the Titans went out and got him.

The main goal for this offensive line is to protect Mariota. If they can do that then Mariota will be able to play his first full season, get paid and possibly even lead the Titans back to the playoffs.

Without a healthy Mariota, the Titans are nothing. They need Mariota to win, and Mariota needs a good, healthy offensive line. If they can avoid injuries or at least major injuries, I think this Titans offensive line can get back to being one of the best in the league.