NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Titans normal supervisor Ran Carthon began the free company interval with round $75 million to spend and myriad holes to fill alongside the roster.
After eight days, Carthon has made 11 strikes, however the Titans’ roster nonetheless has loads of room for enchancment after coming into free company with 22 free brokers from final season’s group.
Carthon addressed two of the largest wants by signing ESPN’s top-ranked heart (Lloyd Cushenberry) and huge receiver (Calvin Ridley).
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Cushenberry involves the Titans after 4 seasons with the Denver Broncos. His contract is a four-year deal price $50 million, and Tennessee will flip to him to anchor an offensive line that was desperately in want of an overhaul.
Titans quarterbacks have been sacked on 11% of their drop backs final season, in response to ESPN Stats & Info. The New York Giants (13%) have been the one group with the next price.
Carthon additionally added assist by signing former Washington Commanders offensive lineman Saahdiq Charles, who primarily performed guard during the last two seasons, however Tennessee nonetheless would not have a confirmed choice at proper deal with.
The left deal with place is an much more evident gap. Rookie Jaelyn Duncan and 2023 free agent addition Andre Dillard, who was launched Friday, cut up time at left deal with. Duncan’s 16 sacks allowed, in response to ESPN play-by-play monitoring, have been the third most amongst all offensive linemen. He was tied with left guard Peter Skoronski, Tennessee’s 2023 first-round decide, for the sixth most.
The Titans desperately want so as to add a minimum of one offensive deal with, whether or not it is by free company or within the draft — the place they’ve the No. 7 decide.
With the torch being handed from Derrick Henry to second-year participant Tyjae Spears, working again did not appear to be a lot of a necessity. However the Titans added former Dallas Cowboys working again Tony Pollard on the primary day of free company. Pollard figures to separate the workload with Spears in Tennessee’s backfield to make up for Henry, who’s 1,167 speeding yards have been second most within the league final season.
Regardless of including Ridley from a divisional foe within the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Titans nonetheless want to search out one other choice to ultimately step in for DeAndre Hopkins, whose contract is anticipated to subsequent offseason.
This is a take a look at different roster holes:
Inside linebacker
Former Chargers inside linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. described himself as “quick and bodily” — which seems to be a superb match for brand spanking new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson’s attacking scheme. Murray is happy in regards to the alternative to work with a protracted tenured linebacker coach like Frank Bush, who’s coming into his thirty second 12 months as coach within the league.
“He undoubtedly is an OG,” Murray stated throughout his introductory press convention. “He is a man that’s tremendous energetic, and I’m wanting ahead to getting after it and seeing what I have to work on to get higher.”
However the Titans have to discover a complementary piece to Murray. Jack Gibbens and Otis Reese IV are the 2 returning linebackers with probably the most snaps from final 12 months. Neither of them are confirmed choices.
The Titans hosted former Miami Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker for a go to final week, however he ultimately signed with Seattle. With few remaining choices obtainable, it is doubtless that Carthon will flip to the draft to bolster the place.
Line of defense
Whereas defensive deal with Jeffery Simmons is the centerpiece of the defensive position, he is just about the lone soldier in terms of inside choices. Outdoors of Simmons, the present group of inside defensive lineman have a mixed 15 begins. Maybe Tennessee feels it could get contributions from younger gamers like TK McLendon Jr., Keondre Coburn and Quinton Bohanna.
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It would not appear to be assistance is on the best way given the shortage of great inside choices left on the free agent market. Tennessee took a swing at signing former Cincinnati Bengals defensive deal with DJ Reader, however he opted to signal a two-year, $27.5 million contract with the Detroit Lions.
Free agent defensive finish Chase Younger was scheduled to go to the Titans this week, however he labored out a cope with the Saints on Monday. Including Younger would have helped offset the lack of Denico Autry — who signed a two-year, $20 million cope with the Houston Texans final week — after he led Tennessee in sacks in every of the previous two seasons.
The draft could have some choices for the Titans within the second spherical or later. It is going to be as much as new defensive position coach Tracy Rocker to get probably the most out of their expertise.
Secondary
Former Bengals cornerback Chidobe Awuzie will lock down one of many exterior cornerback spots. Whereas Roger McCreary will maintain down the nickel place. The choices after Awuzie and McCreary are restricted.
Tennessee has been related to cornerbacks in the marketplace aside from probably buying L’Jarius Sneed from the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. That deal would not appear to be an choice for the Titans, who solely have seven picks within the draft, with none within the third spherical.
There are some choices like Xavien Howard or Ahkello Witherspoon, who was Awuzie’s faculty teammate at Colorado. Perhaps the Titans resolve to spin the block and re-sign Kristian Fulton or convey Adoree’ Jackson again for a second stint.
Security is one other a part of the secondary that may use some assist. Tennessee hosted veteran security Marcus Maye on Monday. Maye’s finest years got here with Wilson as his defensive backs coach with the New York Jets. However at 31 years outdated, including Maye would not gel with what looks like a rebuilding roster.
Different veteran choices embody Justin Simmons and Quandre Diggs. Signing former AFC South rival security Julian Blackmon would take advantage of sense. Blackmon is just 25 and posted 88 tackles, eight go breakups, and 4 interceptions in 15 begins for the Indianapolis Colts final season.
