One wouldn't know it from the way the Tennessee Titans have been discussed in the last few months, but they are a team on the rise, spearheaded by one of the most talented young quarterbacks in the game in No. 1 pick Cam Ward.
A bad small-market team like the Titans will never get oodles of pre-draft coverage, but it's unfair to both Ward and new GM Mike Borgonzi for analysts around the media landscape to be so pessimistic with regard to the improvements this team has made.
Pro Football Focus ranked the situations that all rookie quarterbacks find themselves in as it pertains to their surrounding weapons, coaching stability, and chance for immediate playing time. Somehow, despite the improvements Tennessee has made, Ward comes in third on this ranking.
New York Giants first-rounder Jaxson Dart was ranked as having the best situation, while New Orleans Saints second-rounder Tyler Shough came in ahead of Ward, citing concerns about the No. 1 pick's lack of wide receiver talent. Is that enough to overrule everything else Ward has at his disposal?
PFF declares Titans QB Cam Ward in a worse situation than Tyler Shough
The Titans have a solid No. 1 receiver in Calvin Ridley, a quality running game led by Tony Pollard, and one of the AFC's best offensive lines after paying top dollar for left tackle Dan Moore and right guard Kevin Zeitler. Brian Callahan is on the hot seat, but he does have an offensive background.
Shough may have Ward beat on quarterback stability, but that New Orleans roster is so threadbare that it would surprise no one if they ended up with the No. 1 overall pick. Chris Olave is not a needle-mover, and their promising tackle duo of Kelvin Banks Jr. and Taliese Fuaga might not be enough to overcome a terrible interior offensive line.
Dart does have Malik Nabers, a solid offensive line, and the benefit of getting to develop under Brian Daboll. However, Dart is third on the depth chart in New York behind Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. If he is forced to play early, the Giants' meat-grinder of a schedule can lead to some struggles.
Ward has been perpetually under-hyped by the national media, and now it seems like the overall Titans roster is also getting smacked around. A strong start against an admittedly difficult schedule could be all that Ward needs to get the doubters on his side.
