The Tennessee Titans have a lot riding on this upcoming season. There is pressure despite the amount of youth on the roster and it is mainly due to Marcus Mariota who arrived with expectations already on his shoulders. Despite the presence of Zach Mettenberger, Mariota is expected to be the Week 1 starter. That is not being questioned. However, his leading receiving corps is more unknown as mandatory mini-camp is set to kick off.
Depth is not the issue for the Titans' receiving group. They have plenty of options, the issue is who emerges as the No.1 threat. Last year, Delanie Walker led the group, but only managed to put up 890 yards. Kendall Wright, Nate Washington and Justin Hunter followed behind him. All four players return this season with Harry Douglas, Hakeem Nicks and Dorial Green-Beckham all join the group, making competition heated throughout the offseason.
Green-Beckham is already at a disadvantage. The rookie has been nursing a hamstring injury that kept him out of OTAs. The rookie told the media that right now he is focused on learning the offense while aiming to return for mandatory mini camp. After being drafted in second round, Green-Beckham is expected to contend for a starting spot if he can get healthy.
"I'm just watching my hamstring, really, that's my main concern, making sure that I take care of my body," Green-Beckham said, via the Tennessean. "It's just being able to protect myself, making sure I'm not overdoing my hamstring and still doing some work at the same time."
Walker will be a starter at the tight end position, but it is unknown who joins him at the receiver spots. According to the Tennessean, both Hunter and Wright have been put on notice. There is a very real chance one of them gets cut in the coming months as the Titans narrow things down on the roster. NFL.com has Douglas in the slot position while Nicks made it clear he intends to be a productive starter next season.
"(I'm) motivated, determined and ready to work. I am ready to bring it all and lay it on the line, man," Nicks said. "I just want to get back in the rhythm of being talked about as one of the best receivers in the league, as I was in the past. I believe I can, but I need to go out there and prove it. No need to say words."
Regardless of who starts at the wide receiver position along with Bishop Sankey and Dexter McCluster at the running back spot, the early returns on Mariota are good. The team has been overly impressed with the rookie quarterback, especially his accuracy with the wide receivers. The Titans might be able to start anyone and still find success.
"He is deadly accurate," wide receiver coach Shawn Jefferson said, via ESPN.com. "I am just giddy about his future going forward . He's the real deal. A couple years ago I was back in Detroit and when Matthew Stafford stepped into the huddle the first time, once I heard his voice and the way he called a play, I said, 'OK, that's a real one right there.' Same way with this one. He's real. He's got the goods. No. 1, it's his accuracy. No. 2, he's come in and grasped the offense. And No. 3 is the way the guys respond to him, the way he's able to go in that huddle and take control."