Can Derrick Henry And DeAndre Hopkins Power The Tennessee Titans In 2023?

The Tennessee Titans offense seemed to have gotten much better quickly on Sunday with the news that DeAndre Hopkins was set to join Derrick Henry in Nashville.

George Walker IV-USA TODAY Sports

NASHVILLE - Excitement among fans of the Tennessee Titans was instantaneous the moment news broke that former Pro Bowl receiver DeAndre Hopkins was signing with the Titans and would be joining Derrick Henry as feature parts of the team's offense for the 2023 season.

The question is, can Henry and Hopkins power this offense to surpass the limited expectations for the Titans this season?

While nothing is guaranteed, a few stats suggest these two, if healthy and playing at a solid level, could provide the Titans with a chance to be a playoff contender, despite thoughts to the contrary.    

For instance, Henry has the most career rushing yards, 8,335, and touchdowns, 78 of any other active running back in the league today. 

Additionally, Hopkins has the second-most career receiving yards, 11,298, and the fourth-most receiving touchdowns, 71 of all active receivers in the league.   

Granted, those stats mean nothing, as it's all about what they and their other offensive teammates can produce on game days, but having two players with those production levels can't hurt. 

At the same time, let's not forget that those two will not be alone, as Treylon Burks, Chig Okonkwo, Kyle Phillips, and Tyjae Spears, and the rest will also be there to provide offensive firepower for quarterback Ryan Tannehill.    

Again, nothing is guaranteed, but the Titans now have a receiver to compliment Burks on the perimeter while having an up-and-coming tight end and a second-year slot receiver to provide balance across the field. 

We won't know how well this offense can perform until the preseason and regular season begins. Still, at least for now, the Titans offense, which was receiving little positive attention, has now improved in the eyes of almost everyone evaluating them on paper.     

Titans Related Stories

• FOR THE TITANS, FIXING ONE OFFENSIVE LINE SPOT SHOULDN'T IMPACT THREE OTHERS: The Titans must find a way to replace Nicholas Petite-Frere during his six-game suspension to begin the season. Doing it shouldn't impact three positions. CLICK HERE
• WHAT THE ADDITION OF DEANDRE HOPKINS MEANS TO THE TENNESSEE TITANS RECEIVER DEPTH CHART: Now that he is set to be a Titan, what does the addition of DeAndre Hopkins do to the depth chart? CLICK HERE
• DESPITE HOPKINS ADDITION, IT STILL COMES DOWN TO THE TITANS OFFENSIVE LINE: Even with DeAndre Hopkins and the other offensive weapons assembled on this roster, the fate of the Titans in 2023 comes down to what the offensive line can do. CLICK HERE