The time for the Tennessee Titans to embark on free agency is almost here, with the legal tampering period starting on Monday and the official start of free agency on Wednesday.
The Titans figure to be active in free agency, as the team has several holes to fill that six draft picks simply can’t accomplish. The question is, however, do the Titans make any major moves?
It’s tough to say, as we simply have no idea if the Titans are planning on a retool or a rebuild.
Tennessee is also strapped for cash, but the team is set to be loaded with cap space in 2024, so it’s possible general manager Ran Carthon can still spend with the intent to push money to future years.
With the possibilities endless, we’re taking a look around the entire NFL and pegging one free agent from each team the Titans could target based on their needs. All free agents included here are unrestricted.
Arizona Cardinals: OLB Markus Golden
With Bud Dupree set to be cut, and with Harold Landry’s torn ACL and Rashad Weaver’s inexperience making them question marks, a veteran outside linebacker like Golden makes sense for the right price.
Atlanta Falcons: RT Kaleb McGary
McGary is the best right tackle on the market, but the Titans’ interest in him will depend upon how the team feels about Nicholas Petit-Frere, who may not be completely safe with a new general manager in town. I believe Petit-Frere will start at right tackle in 2023, but anything is possible right now.
McGary is a stud run-blocker, but he can struggle in pass protection. That said, he would still be an upgrade over last year’s version of NPF.
Baltimore Ravens: LG Ben Powers
The Titans might need as many as two guards depending on what happens with Aaron Brewer and Nate Davis. Powers is 26 and a stellar pass-blocker, although his run-blocking skills leave a lot to be desired.
Buffalo Bills: LB Tremaine Edmunds
Edmunds is one of the very best inside linebackers available in free agency and checks the coverage box Tennessee needs. He’d be perfect to pair with Long, or to replace him with. However, don’t expect the Titans to spend this big on the position, even if Long leaves.
Carolina Panthers: C Bradley Bozeman
If the Titans want a cheap veteran stopgap option at center who can compete with the likes of a rookie and/or Aaron Brewer if re-signed, Bozeman could fill that role. However, he would be a downgrade from Ben Jones if he starts.
Chicago Bears: LB Nicholas Morrow
If the Titans lose Long, they’re going to need a veteran for their young group. Morrow could also serve as a rotational player with Long and Monty Rice if the former is brought back.
Cincinnati Bengals: LB Germaine Pratt
Pratt has been able to stay healthy for the most part and is a good coverage linebacker, making him perfect to pair with Long if he stays, or to replace Long altogether.
Honorable mention: TE Hayden Hurst
Cleveland Browns: C Ethan Pocic
If last year was any indication, Pocic wouldn’t present much of a drop-off from Jones at center. Pocic will command around the same money, though, leaving Tennessee with quite the bill at center when you include Jones’ $4.5 million in dead-cap money. Still, he is six years younger and could provide Tennessee with a long-term solution.
Honorable mention: LB Anthony Walker Jr.
Dallas Cowboys: WR T.Y. Hilton
If the Titans don’t want to take a chance on a long-term deal with a younger wideout in what is a weak free-agent market, Hilton would be a decent one-year solution. Hilton showed he can still make plays late last year.
Denver Broncos: G Dalton Risner
Risner can play either guard spot and would present an upgrade over Brewer on the left side. The 27-year-old could also give competition for a rookie guard should Tennessee draft one.
Detroit Lions: WR DJ Chark
Chark hasn’t been able to stay healthy the last few years, which is ominous for an injury-plagued team like Tennessee. But that also figures to keep his price down, something that’s ideal for the cash-strapped Titans. Chark is still only 26 and would add much-needed experience and a deep threat.
Green Bay Packers: WR Allen Lazard
Lazard would give Tennessee a veteran who can make plays down the field and serve as the No. 2 next to Burks, but I tend to believe the 27-year-old, who is arguably the best wideout available, will be too expensive.
Houston Texans: LB Neville Hewitt
Hewitt wouldn’t be a solution to fully replace Long as a starter, but he could be a solid and cheap rotational piece, with his strong suit being his ability to play against the run. He’d also add experience to a young room.
Indianapolis Colts: LB Bobby Okereke
After their success with former Colts defensive lineman Denico Autry, the Titans might be more inclined to poach another Indy free agent. Okereke is a solid all-around linebacker who could help replace or play next to Long.
Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Marvin Jones
While he is set to turn 33, Jones still has some gas left in the tank and would be a solid third or fourth option in the passing game if signed.
Kansas City Chiefs: LT Orlando Brown Jr.
With Taylor Lewan officially gone, the Titans need a new franchise left tackle.
Tennessee could opt for the crapshoot that is the NFL draft, but Brown would be a sure bet to stabilize the position, and at 26 he can do so for the long haul. However, Tennessee will have to pay big bucks to bring Brown to Nashville, and there figures to be a ton of competition for his services that should further drive up the price.
Las Vegas Raiders: G/T Jermaine Eleumunor
Eluemunor is a jack-of-all-trades offensive lineman, as he’s played at both guard and tackle spots during his career. I think the former Raider is one of the more underrated linemen in this year’s class and would not only provide Tennessee with a good depth option at multiple spots, he could very well grab a starting role, also.
Los Angeles Chargers: WR Deandre Carter
Carter was buried on the depth chart last season, but when Mike Williams and Keenan Allen were sidelined, the 29-year-old routinely stepped up. He’ll come cheap and has the speed to be a deep threat, which Tennessee needs.
Los Angeles Rams: K Matt Gay
With Randy Bullock gone, the Titans are in the market for a new kicker, which they could address in the 2023 NFL draft or free agency (I think Tennessee will use the former). They also have Caleb Shudak.
Gay has been one of the best kickers in the league the past two years and would give Tennessee an upgrade, especially with his big leg. The down side here is that Gay would cost more than Bullock, but he’s still only 28 and figures to be a long-term solution.
Miami Dolphins: OLB Melvin Ingram
The Titans need more depth with the uncertainty surrounding Landry and Weaver. Ingram would be a solid rotational piece, especially if Tennessee wants to groom a potential future starter in a 2023 draft pick. Ingram is 33 but he did play in all 17 games last season and tallied six sacks.
Minnesota Vikings: WR Adam Thielen
Thielen is a good fit for a few reasons. He helps fill one of the Titans’ biggest needs, and he gives the wide receivers room a much-needed veteran who can help in the development of Tennessee’s young pass-catchers.
The big concern here, though, is that Thielen is set to turn 33 and appears to be on the down side of his career. We all know how aging wideouts do in Nashville.
The good news is, Tennessee wouldn’t need him to play a big role, as he’d likely be the third option at best behind Treylon Burks and Chig Okonkwo.
New England Patriots: WR Jakobi Meyers
Along with Lazard, Meyers is considered one of the best free-agent wideouts available this year. The 26-year-old has posted impressive production during his career when you consider the quarterbacks who have thrown to him, and he’d be a very good option to pair with Burks for the long haul. However, Tennessee will have to open the old wallet if they want to sign him.
New Orleans Saints: WR Deonte Harty
Harty was fairly productive in 2021 before an injury-shortened 2022 campaign. Of course, Tennessee is looking to turn over a new leaf with injuries, but bringing in Harty on a cheap, short-term deal wouldn’t hurt.
Harty is a burner who could be an effective deep threat and returner in Nashville.
New York Giants: WR Darius Slayton
After falling off the map in 2021, Slayton revived his career in 2022 and is one of the more intriguing free-agent options. Slayton has the speed to fill Tennessee’s need for a playmaker down the field, and he’s only 26.
New York Jets: OT George Fant
Fant can play both tackle spots, giving the Titans an option for a swing tackle. He could also push NPF for the starting job on the right side.
Philadelphia Eagles: OG Isaac Seumalo
One of the best guard options on the open market, Seumalo can play on either side, although he spent the 2022 campaign at right guard. The Eagles pending free agent would be an upgrade over Davis or Brewer depending on where Tennessee would deploy him.
Pittsburgh Steelers: LB Devin Bush
Bush could be an option even if Long stays, but by all accounts he would be a downgrade as a replacement, both in coverage and against the run.
The former No. 10 overall pick has been wildly disappointing, but he’s still just 24 years old and won’t command a big, long-term contract. Bush might be worth taking a flyer on, no matter what happens with Long.
San Francisco 49ers: K Robbie Gould
I was torn between right tackle Mike McGlinchey and Gould, but with NPF at right tackle, I believe the Titans are slightly more likely to go after a kicker, so Gould it is.
The 40-year-old has more leg power than Bullock, something Tennessee will no doubt be looking for. He also has connections to the Titans, as former 49er executive Ran Carthon is now the general manager.
Seattle Seahawks: OG Gabe Jackson
Jackson has seen time at both guard spots during his career and could provide a solid stopgap option for the Titans on either the left or right side, potentially giving a 2023 draft pick more time to develop.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LT Donovan Smith
Another good stopgap option, this time at left tackle, Smith wouldn’t be too expensive and can immediately stabilize the position. Plus, if Tennessee drafts a left tackle, Smith can give him more time to develop if need be.
Washington Commanders: OG Trai Turner
Turner isn’t someone who will automatically lock down a starting spot, but he could be brought in to compete for one, and more specifically against a rookie Tennessee drafts.
