With the offseason process well underway with the postseason all-star games like the Senior Bowl and Combine, and free agency either completed or just beginning, it’s time to look at what the Titans could do.
What the Tennessee Titans Should Do In the Offseason
The 2024 NFL Draft
They have the following selections in the 2024 NFL draft (currently as of press time)
1.7
2.38
4.107
5.145 (via Minnesota)
6.184
7.219 (via Carolina)
7.240 (via Philadelphia)
Salary Cap Space
According to Spotrac, the Titans have the third most cap space in the entire league, with a whopping $80,693,205. Over The Cap has them with just a shade under $76 million in space. They have ample room to maneuver around to retool the roster for a new coaching staff.
Titans Biggest Offseason Needs
Offensive Line, Wide Receiver, Cornerback + Safety, Defensive Line, and linebacker
If they were to go heavy-handed at the offensive line positions in free agency, the options are somewhat limited to older and unproven talent. Here are some potential fits:
Tackle
Tyron Smith
The Cowboys legend should be on track to Canton when it’s all done. Unfortunately, for the past several years, he’s dealt with injuries. 2023 was another monstrous campaign, as PFF graded him as the fourth-highest tackle with a score of 83.7. His connection to the current staff is that of offensive line coach Bill Callahan, who coached while he was in the Metroplex. Spotrac has a salary projection of $7.4 million for one year. The 33-year-old could be an excellent stopgap option for Tennessee as they search for a long-term building block for the position.
Chris Hubbard
Hubbard was a solid signing for the Titans as he stabilized the right tackle spot last season after years of searching by the organization. He was injured last season. PFF graded the lineman as the 34th-best tackle, with an overall score of 69.0. Tennessee could do worse than bring back a veteran who was good for them.
Jonah Williams
Williams was moved to right tackle, where he was more successful than his previous stint on the left side. His connection to the staff: HC Brian Callahan knows him well during his time in Cincinnati. He could be a younger option the team could build their bookends around. Spotrac has a contract value of $10.8M AAV over four years for him.
Guard
Peter Skoronski has made the left guard spoken for by his draft status, but Daniel Brunskill was steady when healthy. Still, some veteran options would include Kevin Zeitler, Dalton Risner, Graham Glasgow, Jonah Jackson, Michael Onwenu, and Cody Whitehair.
Center
If the Titans wanted to upgrade their center position, they could shop at the top of the market, including Connor Williams, Andre James, Lloyd Cushenberry, and Tyler Biadasz. They could also re-sign starter Aaron Brewer if they were so inclined.
Wide Receiver
The receiver market offers players of varying pedigree, size, and speeds for teams that need them. The Titans desperately need upgrades in the offseason. The most apparent connection people are making is that of Bengals receiver Tyler Boyd due to his ties with Brian Callahan. If they wanted to go to the luxury-priced store, GM Ran Carthon could take a look at Hollywood Brown, Curtis Samuel, and Calvin Ridley. They likely go bargain bin hunting and shop for targets like DJ Chark, Mecole Hardman, Mack Hollins, Noah Brown, and similar players of that ilk. The receiver market for the middle class might be depressed due to the depth of the draft class at the position as well. OBJ, Darnell Mooney, Sterling Shepard, and ESB could be of some interest due to the ties to new receivers coach Tyke Tolbert.
Cornerback / Safety
Like the receiver market, the cornerback draft class will likely depress free agency. Tennessee will need to add regardless of how they do it. Sean Murphy-Bunting is a free agent, and former second-round pick Kristian Fulton isn’t likely to be brought back. SMB could be brought back on a deal as the top cornerback. The most obvious connections are Baltimore’s Ronald Darby and Rock Ya-Sin duo, who served under new DC Dennard Wilson. Another is Cincinnati’s Chidobe Awuzie for the BC connection. Washington’s Kendall Fuller, who played for CB coach Chris Harris in the District, is the tippy-top of the market connection. There’s a lot of direction this position can go with the players and cap space available. Safety is also a pressing need due to a lack of talent. Fortunately, it’s a position overflowing with veterans that need work.
Defensive Line / Linebacker
Sack master Denico Autry is a free agent and is approaching his mid-30s. A replacement or multiple will be needed. How the Titans approach this position will be interesting to watch, as there are big names requiring big paydays. Names include Leonard Williams, Marcus Davenport, Danielle Hunter, Leonard Floyd, and Chase Young. They probably won’t dabble in the upper echelons of the group.
Linebacker is another issue as standout Azeez Al-Shaair is a free agent. Names like Devin White, Josey Jewell, Jordan Hicks, Denzel Perryman, Frankie Luvu, and Jordyn Brooks could make sense at inside linebacker.
As for EDGE, K’Lavon Chaisson, Andrew Van Ginkel, Bryce Huff, Sione Takitaki, and Khaleke Hudson could be the targets. Anferenee Jennings is another intriguing possibility. The Titans need to upgrade around Harold Landry and Jeff Simmons.
Titans Draft Plan
The seventh overall selection could go in several different directions, depending on what happens earlier in the Titans offseason. If they go the route of veteran offensive tackle, expect it to be a receiver as the drumbeats grow louder for that position. Bill Callahan, a legendary developer of offensive line talent, could portend an omen for a wide receiver. However, Carthon could double down on offensive tackle and take the best available (Joe Alt, Olu Fashanu, etc.)
Alternately, Tennessee would likely select a receiver at seven or a different spot in a minor trade with a quarterback-hungry team. They would then go for a tackle in the second round. The possibilities are quite endless, as they could go tackle-receiver in the first two rounds or receiver-tackle, as the receiver class is loaded to the gills with talent. Mr. Carthon and the company have had only one draft, so there is no history from which we can draw a trend.
The 2024 receiver class has so much talent that good prospects could be had until the fourth round. Top-tier prospects such as Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, Brian Thomas, Ladd McConkey, and Adonai Mitchell are garnering first-round hype, to name a few. That’s not to say that guys like Brendan Rice, Xavier Worthy, Troy Franklin, and Ricky Piersall aren’t great talents.
Main Photo: Albert Cesare – USA Today Sports
