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5 breakout stars to watch for Tennessee Titans in 2020

By Russell S. Baxter

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 08: Jonnu Smith #81 of the Tennessee Titans is tackled by Marquel Lee #52 of the Oakland Raiders in the first half at RingCentral Coliseum on December 08, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 08: Jonnu Smith #81 of the Tennessee Titans is tackled by Marquel Lee #52 of the Oakland Raiders in the first half at RingCentral Coliseum on December 08, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 27: Jonnu Smith #81 of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball during the third quarter of the NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Nissan Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bryan Woolston/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 27: Jonnu Smith #81 of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball during the third quarter of the NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Nissan Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bryan Woolston/Getty Images) /

1. TE Jonnu Smith

It has been a pair of lost seasons for one of the better tight ends in the league. Veteran Delanie Walker suffered a broken ankle in Week 1 of 2018 and was lost for the remainder of the year. This past season, he played in only seven contests before being placed on injured reserve in November. And this year, the Tennessee Titans parted ways with the three-time Pro Bowler after five seasons in Nashville.

Back in 2017, general manager Jon Robinson used a third-round selection on Florida International tight end Jonnu Smith. Over the past three seasons, he has seen his production steadily increase. After totaling a combined 38 catches for 415 yards and five scores in his first two years in the league, Smith finished ’19 with 35 receptions, good for 439 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran four times for 78 yards and also caught a TD pass in the Titans’ upset playoff win at Baltimore.

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The 6’3”, 248-pound target apparently was an ideal weapon for quarterback Ryan Tannehill. All told, 29 of his 35 receptions and all three of his TDs came in the final 10 games after the latter became the starter. Could much bigger things be in store for the three-year pro?

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