These 4 returning Tennessee Titans must have breakout seasons for 2022 to be a success

The Tennessee Titans will bank on their 2022 draft and free agency class to make big contributions, but they’ll also need returning players to close the gap for Super Bowl contention.

So which returning Titans must have breakout seasons for 2022 to become a success?

Here are four names to watch:

Caleb Farley

With Jackrabbit Jenkins gone, the starting cornerback spot opposite Kristian Fulton is Farley’s to lose.

If health remains an issue with the former Virginia Tech star, Tennessee will have to depend largely on a rookie – second-rounder Roger McCreary – at cornerback, the biggest weakness of a defense that ranked 25th against the pass last season.

The good thing is that Farley has been making positive progress in his rehab from an ACL injury, according to the Titans, and he was an active participant in offseason practices.

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Dillon Radunz

The Titans’ lack of big investment on their offensive line, despite parting with two starters, reinforced the need for Radunz – a healthy scratch in five games as a rookie – to develop into a productive starter in Year 2.

Tennessee’s pass protection, which struggled last season, may depend on it. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill was sacked 47 times in 2021, second most in the league.

Coach Mike Vrabel revealed during the offseason program that Radunz has been working primarily at right tackle, the position he was drafted to play, after moving around as a rookie.

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Bud Dupree

The Titans are a defense-led team, headed by their front four. The uncertainty shrouding the offense could mean Tennessee depends on it even more than last season.

That’s why strides from Dupree may be critical. He was a force generating pressure last season, but never at 100%. He admitted to returning from his ACL injury early and battled an abdominal issue, which landed him on injured reserve. He had just three sacks and a forced fumble in 11 games.

The veteran outside linebacker said that his knee is “all the way back” heading into 2022.

David Long Jr.

With Jayon Brown and Rashaan Evans gone, Long is the leader of the inside linebacker room. Zach Cunningham will also start, but he’s entering his first full season with the Titans. Long is approaching Year 4.

So Long’s health and production will be critical for the team to maintain the integrity of the second level of its defense.

Long last season was on pace for well over 100 tackles but finished with 75 after playing in just 10 games.

Ben Arthur covers the Tennessee Titans for The USA TODAY Network. Contact him at barthur@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @benyarthur.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: These Tennessee Titans must have breakout seasons for 2022 success