10 NFL teams poised to be better in 2016

Mark it down now. The Tennessee Titans will have the highest spike in win total from 2015 to 2016. From having the worst record in the NFL last season, the Titans can not only finish around .500, but could conceivably win the AFC South that is still very much up for grabs.

The Titans have themselves one fine young quarterback in 2014 Heisman Trophy winner and 2015’s No. 2 overall pick in Marcus Mariota. Though his team wasn’t any good last season, Mariota was able to do things in the Titans passing attack that Tennessee hasn’t seen since the late Steve McNair was its star quarterback.

Mariota will continue to grow as a quarterback entering year two. Though many questioned the Adams Family’s decision to retain interim head coach Mike Mularkey, it seems to be a well-thought out decision.

By keeping Mularkey, the Titans were able to grab elite wide receivers coach Terry Robiskie from the Falcons. Mularkey and Robiskie helped get Matt Ryan’s career of the ground a few years back and loot to do the same with a better player in Mariota.

Tennessee should have a respectable offensive line. Delanie Walker is arguably the most underrated tight end in football. Adding DeMarco Murray in free agency should only help Mariota improve as a passer in having a reliable former All-Pro to hand the ball off to.

The Titans have improved defensively behind the ageless Dick LeBeau as defensive coordinator. Tennessee may not have elite personnel, but perhaps the days of immense dysfunction is behind this AFC organization. Tennessee can finish anywhere from first to fourth in the AFC South. There is no way that the Titans aren’t visibly better in 2016.

Next: 3. Green Bay Packers.