INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
SOURCE: Stephen Holder
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Colts report for training camp for the 2022 NFL season Tuesday. With the start of practice comes the requisite storylines that accompany the beginning of each season.
Here are a few:
Who was the most impactful offseason addition? This is an easy answer.
Quarterback Matt Ryan, on paper, represents a clear upgrade over the unpredictable, uneven performance of last season’s starter Carson Wentz. The Colts landed Ryan for a mere third-round pick in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons in one of this offseason’s most heralded moves, but will Ryan just be solid for the Colts or does he still possess the ability to produce at an elite level when needed? He’s 37 now, several years removed from the guy who won NFL Most Valuable Player in 2016. But the supporting cast he’ll have in Indianapolis is superior to those he had in Atlanta in recent seasons, beginning with the sturdy offensive line in front of him and the NFL's rushing leader last season, Jonathan Taylor.
2022 NFL training camp previews
What’s the biggest question facing the Colts this season?
The acquisition of Ryan solved the Colts’ urgent need at quarterback. But what remains to be seen is whether Indianapolis has done a sufficient job addressing the group of players he’ll be throwing to. The selection of Alec Pierce from Cincinnati with the team’s top draft pick (53rd) will go a long way to solidifying their wide-receiving corps. Look for the big-bodied Pierce (6-3, 213) to have a major role on the perimeter if observations from the team’s offseason practices are any indication. But without veterans T.Y. Hilton and Zach Pascal on the roster, the role of No. 1 wideout Michael Pittman Jr., 24, takes on even greater importance. For now, youth is this group’s defining characteristic. No member of the unit is older than 25. None has played more than 30 regular-season games. They’re also uncomfortably young at tight end.
Who’s the player with the most to prove? As a former Defensive Player of the Year, cornerback Stephon Gilmore’s status is secure. But it’s fair to take a wait-and-see approach on the current version of Gilmore after the Colts signed him to a two-year contract with his 32nd birthday approaching in September. Gilmore has missed 14 combined games the past two seasons, most stemming from a hip surgery he underwent while with the New England Patriots in 2020. But when he finally returned, Gilmore demonstrated that he was recovered from the injury by performing well down the stretch with the Carolina Panthers in 2021. With the Colts committing more than $10 million to Gilmore for 2022, they need him to play at an elite level and solidify their perimeter cornerback spot. Gilmore has got to stay healthy to do that.
Camp prediction: Third-round pick Bernhard Raimann from Central Michigan will emerge as the starter at left tackle. It's hardly a guarantee, but that's why this is considered a bold take. Though it's a big ask for a rookie to start at such a critical spot, Raimann has the best combination of skills and size of the candidates to take on this role. Raimann, 6-foot-6 and 303 pounds, should expect stiff competition from veterans Matt Pryor, Dennis Kelly and recently-signed Jason Spriggs. But given the way Raimann moves, he is well-equipped to handle the speed that will confront whoever wins the job on Ryan's blind side.
TENNESSEE TITANS
SOURCE: Turron Davenport
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans open their 2022 NFL training camp Tuesday at Saint Thomas Sports Park.
Here's a closer look at a few storylines:
The biggest question:
Can the passing game survive the loss of A.J. Brown? Brown will be catching passes for the Philadelphia Eagles this season after leading the Titans in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in each of the last three seasons. Brown's 869 yards accounted for 23% of the Titans' total receiving yards last season. Tennessee is relying on veteran Robert Woods and rookie Treylon Burks to help fill the void. Woods is a sure-handed receiver, as shown by his 1.3 drop percentage over the last five seasons -- which is the sixth lowest among receivers with at least 200 targets. The Titans' offense should get a boost from Woods once he is fully recovered from a torn ACL in his left knee that he suffered last November. Burks should help mostly by getting yards after the catch. He averaged 9.4 yards after the catch last season at Arkansas, seventh among FBS receivers. All eyes will be on Burks during training camp as the rookie looks to bounce back after missing minicamp because of asthma complications. Don't forget about the tight end group that was bolstered by free agent Austin Hooper and fourth-round pick Chigoziem Okonkwo. Both of which frequently connected with quarterback Ryan Tannehill during OTAs and minicamp.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill could be in a make-or-break year with the Tennessee Titans this season.
The player with the most to prove: Tannehill. Tannehill's three interceptions in Tennessee's shocking home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the divisional round of the playoffs last season sent him to what he called a "dark place" that forced him to go to therapy. He vowed to come into this season with a desire to win like he never had before. Reverting back to the productive player that completed 70.3% of his passes in 2019 and threw 33 touchdown passes in 2020 would probably buy him another season in Tennessee. But, his late fourth-quarter interceptions against the Baltimore Ravens and the Bengals sealed the Titans' postseason fate in each of the last two seasons. Tannehill will need to show that he can deliver in the playoffs. Otherwise, the Titans can part ways with Tannehill after this season and absorb an $18.8 million dead cap hit if he doesn't produce and they feel third-round pick Malik Willis is ready to take over.
2022 NFL training camp previews
Most impactful offseason addition: Hooper. The tight end position lacked a true pass-catching threat last season, which is why Hooper was added via free agency during the offseason. Anthony Firkser's 34 receptions for 291 yards were the most by a Titans' tight end in 2021. Even though he set career lows as a starter last season, Hooper's 38 receptions for 345 yards would have tied him for second on the Titans in catches and fourth in receiving yards. Hooper has already built chemistry with Tannehill and is looking to get back to Pro Bowl form like he was in 2018 and 2019 after having 70 or more receptions.
Training camp is a success if ... someone emerges as the unquestioned starter at left guard and right tackle. Two spots opened up along the offensive line when the Titans released left guard Rodger Saffold and chose not to re-sign right tackle David Quessenberry. Tennessee used a second-round pick to select Dillon Radunz last year with hopes that he would eventually start. Radunz is the front runner to fill the right tackle position after spending last season working mostly at guard. But, 2022 third-round pick Nicholas Petit-Frere will likely get a chance to compete at right tackle as well. The battle for left guard will mainly focus on Aaron Brewer and free-agent addition Jamarco Jones. Putting on the pads will give the team an opportunity to truly evaluate their options, especially during joint practices with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals. Solidifying the two spots as soon as possible will give the new-look offensive line more time to gel heading into the season.
Camp prediction: Okonkwo will solidify a role as one of Tannehill's favorite pass-catchers. Okonkwo's playmaking ability flashed during minicamp when he caught four touchdown passes in two days of red zone seven-on-seven work. The Titans' coaching staff likes Okonkwo's versatile skill set. Okonkwo's 4.5-second time in the 40-yard dash was the fastest among tight ends at the scouting combine. His speed matches up favorably against linebackers and safeties making him a viable threat in the passing game. The 6-foot-3, 238-pound tight end has drawn comparisons to former Titans tight end Jonnu Smith. Tannehill already likes what he's seen from Okonkwo. Added Tannehill, "Just physically, to see his size, his strength, his speed, how he’s able to play through contact, he definitely gives us another weapon."
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
SOURCE: Michael DiRocco
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jaguars open 2022 NFL training camp on Sunday at Episcopal High School in Jacksonville.
Here’s a closer look at a few storylines:
The most compelling position battle: Fourth-year player Jawaan Taylor is trying to hold off second-year player Walker Little at right tackle. Taylor has been a starter since the Jaguars drafted him in the second round but ranks 56th among offensive tackles in pass block win rate (84.5 %) and has a league-high 32 accepted penalties over that span, per ESPN Stats & Information. Little, who started three games at left tackle as a rookie last season, had not played right tackle until the Jaguars had him work there in practice at times last season. The loser of this battle will likely be the swing tackle. Even if Taylor wins the job, he’s in the last year of his contract and would have to play better than he has in his first three seasons to earn an extension.
The player with the most to prove: Quarterback Trevor Lawrence had a rough rookie season: 12 touchdown passes, 17 interceptions and a Total QBR of 33.5 (28th in the NFL). However, he also had to deal with the dysfunction and misery that was Urban Meyer’s 11-month tenure as the team’s head coach, so that fact that Lawrence was able to play as well as he did at times says a lot about his mindset, temperament and focus. Now that he has some stability around him and an influx of playmakers, he needs to start playing like the generational quarterback prospect he was coming out of Clemson. He doesn’t need to throw 35 touchdown passes, but he does need to prove he can be consistent, elevate those around him and win games.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are hoping that quarterback Trevor Lawrence can make a big jump in Year 2 under new coach Doug Pederson.
Most impactful offseason addition: There are a lot of options, headlined by receiver Christian Kirk, cornerback Darious Williams, linebackers Foyesade Oluokun and Travon Walker, who was the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft.
The most important, however, is new coach Doug Pederson. It can’t be over-stated how important having a professional coach overseeing the team is after the Meyer debacle in 2021. Players are no longer miserable, and there’s no longer any tension between the coach and his staff. Pederson made it a priority to undo the damage and earn the players’ trust in the spring so it could be all about football once camp began. Just having functional leadership in place will make a big difference.
Bold prediction: The switch turns on for outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson and he becomes a bigger part of the Jaguars’ plans. The 20th overall pick in 2020 has just two sacks in 31 career games, and he’s pretty much the guy no one talks about on defense after the addition of linebackers Oluokun, Walker, Devin Lloyd and Chad Muma. Mike Caldwell’s defense keeps the offense guessing in terms of which players are coming after the quarterback, and Chaisson will make plays and be one of the surprise successes in camp. There’s even less depth at outside linebacker after Jordan Smith went down with a season-ending knee injury and Chaisson works his way into a much larger role.
HOUSTON TEXANS
SOURCE: DJ Bien-Aime
HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans open their 2022 NFL training camp Friday at Houston Methodist Training Center.
Here's a closer look at a few storylines:
What will make training camp a success? While Deshaun Watson didn't play during 2021 season, rookie Davis Mills emerged. Watson didn’t log a single snap after he requested a trade before sexual misconduct allegations against the star QB came to light. Tyrod Taylor started the season before a hamstring injury propelled Mills into the starting lineup in Week 3. Amid the turmoil, Mills still produced a respectable season of 16 touchdown passes to 10 interceptions with a passer rating of 88 in 13 games. As Mills’ comfortability grew, his performance ballooned down the stretch. In his last nine starts, he threw 14 touchdown passes, completed 68% of his passes and had a passer rating of 96. His eye-popping games were against the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers and Tennessee Titans -- throwing for 867 yards and eight touchdown passes combined. If Mills looks like he’s primed for a sizable jump, then the Texans will have a franchise QB.
Expectations weren't high for quarterback Davis Mills coming into his rookie year, but coming into Year 2 as the starter will bring more expectations and responsibility.
Most impactful offseason addition. Coach Lovie Smith made a thunderous exclamation during the offseason regarding the Texans defense. Smith claimed the Texans’ unit can’t thrive “until we get better at the cornerback position.” That resulted in selecting Derek Stingley Jr. with the No. 3 overall pick in April. Stingley's freshman year at LSU left scouts and coaches drooling over his potential, as he secured All-American honors by snagging six interceptions. A coach told me Stingley’s freshman year was “some of the best he’s ever seen.” Stingley can drastically change the Texans defense. But that initial excitement toward Stingley turned into concern after his sophomore and junior seasons were marred with injuries and inconsistency. Stingley only played 10 of the following 23 games and didn’t secure a single interception. So which Stingley will the Texans receive?
Camp prediction: Jalen Pitre will be a dynamic force during training camp. The Texans’ second round pick out of Baylor showcased premier playmaking skills during his college career. In Pitre’s last season, he finished with 18.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 7 pass breakups and 3 forced fumbles. A scout told me that Pitre compares to Tyrann Mathieu, Quandre Diggs and Budda Baker. Making plays on the football is Pitre’s forte and fits seemingly into coach Lovie Smith’s defense. Pitre’s versatility should give him the ability to roam in the box and play deep middle safety. Expect to see constant reports of the No. 37 overall pick being a disruptor heading into the season.
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