NFL Power Rankings, Week 1: Titans ink Clowney, Chiefs remain clear favorites

Jadeveon Clowney is coming to Nashville. Entering this offseason, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2014 NFL Draft was considered by many to be the best player in the 2020 free agency class. But after five months, he remained without a team. In the end, though, it was a Tennessee Titans team that had long been connected to him that go the deal for the pass-rusher done.

Now, a team that made it to the AFC Championship Game a year ago has one of the most high-upside edge defenders in the league on the roster. And with that, the Titans are obvious favorites to win a tight AFC South race this season. But the question then becomes if they have upside beyond that.

It’s unlikely that quarterback Ryan Tannehill plays at the same level he did after taking over as the starter last year, just as it’s unlikely Derrick Henry rushes for 800 yards per game (approximate) like he did in the playoffs for Tennessee. At the same time, they could still be quite good while the rest of the offense gets better, especially guys like A.J. Brown and Jonnu Smith.

Thus, adding Clowney to this defense, one that is good on every level, is massive. It gives this team an even higher floor while also raising the ceiling as well. It may not always be pretty but Mike Vrabel’s gritty club is going to win a lot of games this year.