Titans Fact or Fiction: What is Real and Fake Through 4 Weeks?

The Tennessee Titans have played four weeks of their 2023 schedule and we are starting to see what preseason storylines were fact or fiction.

The Tennessee Titans have gotten off to a 2-2 start through four weeks of 2023. There are some preseason expectations or questions that either haven't been met or have been answered. Let's look at what's real and what's not from the Titans' start.

Fact: DeAndre Hopkins is still a guy

There were concerns when the Titans signed Hopkins late in the offseason. The Titans are no stranger to an aging wide receiver not living up to expectations, but through four games, Hopkins has calmed any worries.

Hopkins has been the Titans' primary target on third downs and has been open more than he has gotten the ball. The sure-handed veteran has been exactly what the Titans needed and with Treylon Burks and Kyle Philips missing time, the Titans couldn't afford to not have Hopkins right now.

Hopkins has already surpassed the combined output of Andre Johnson and Randy Moss during their stints in Nashville with his 18 catches for 216 yards. He is on his way to overtake Julio Jones in the near future. Hopkins is showing his tenure will be nothing like those.

Fiction: Kristian Fulton is a #1 corner

Fulton had all the hype in training camp. All of the buzz was about his performances day in and day out in camp and how he was taking another step in his fourth year. That simply hasn't been the case. 

Fulton has allowed 10 catches on 13 targets, giving up 190 yards and a touchdown in just three games. Fulton has allowed a passer rating of 143.9 this season and had two penalties. He was routinely roasted by Amari Cooper in Week 3.

Fulton bounced back against the Cincinnati Bengals, but the reality is we already have our answer on Fulton. He is a solid cornerback as part of a system, but he doesn't appear like a player who will take another leap to being the team's obvious top option.

Fact: The offensive line is improved in pass blocking

It hasn't always been pretty for the Titans' offensive line, but it is certainly a step up from the performance in 2022. The Titans finished 2022 as the lowest-graded pass blocking team in the NFL per Pro Football Focus and this year they are 23rd. 

Even with rough performances in those games, the Titans are still quite a bit better than last year. That is without starting right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere for four games and rookie starting guard Peter Skoronski for three games. 

This may not be one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, but the Titans simply couldn't afford for the line to pass block as poorly as they did last season. With it being a new group in a new offense as well, it stands to reason they will continue to improve.

Fiction: Andre Dillard can be the answer at left tackle

Well, the offensive line can improve, but it seems obvious already that Dillard is not the long-term answer at left tackle. Dillard gave up a league-high six sacks through three weeks. He got a lot more help against Cincinnati and turned in his best pass-blocking performance of the year, giving up zero sacks and one pressure.

Dillard doesn't have the power in his anchor or his hands to consistenly win on an island at left tackle, something you need at one of the most important positions in the NFL. Dillard does well in the run game most weeks, using his athleticism to win on the second level, but it just isn't enough to consider him the answer at the position going forward.

The Titans gave Dillard a three year, $29 million deal in the offseason, but look closer and the Titans can get out of the deal for only $7 million in dead cap after the year. It was worth a shot for general manager Ran Carthon, but doesn't look like a winning lotto ticket.

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