The Tennessee Titans enter the 2024 offseason with $68.1 million in cap space, per Over the Cap, which ranks second in the NFL behind only the Washington Commanders.
One of the team’s main areas of need is at the wide receiver position. Luckily for Ran Carthon and Co., the position’s free-agent pool is rich.
Who may he target? Let’s break it down.
Tee Higgins
Tee Higgins is a very popular name around Tennessee right now. Following the Titans hiring Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan to be their next head coach, many have speculated that Higgins will follow him to Nashville.
Unfortunately, the Bengals will most likely franchise tag the 25-year-old receiver. However, this does not mean he won’t end up with the Titans.
Higgins, a Tennessee native, is unlikely to play on the franchise tag, and the Bengals will be hard-pressed to pay him long term with Ja’Marr Chase’s massive payday looming. This could create a tag-and-trade scenario for Higgins.
Higgins was plagued by injury in 2023, missing five games. Before that, he recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2021 and 2022.
Higgins’ game features strong hands and a large frame, which has made him one of the league’s best contested-catch receivers. Adding Higgins would provide Will Levis with his No. 1 wide receiver for years to come.
Projected contract: Four years, $80 million ($20M AAV)
Gabe Davis
Gabe Davis has had a knack for explosive plays throughout his career, something the Titans have lacked since the departure of A.J. Brown.
In his four NFL seasons, Davis has averaged an astounding 16.7 yards per reception. This could make Davis a prime target for the Titans, as Levis led the NFL in average depth of throw in his rookie season.
Davis has recorded at least 740 yards in each of the last two seasons (836 and 746) and could prove to be an effective — and relatively inexpensive — option for the Titans.
Projected contract: Three years, $33 million ($11M AAV)
Tyler Boyd
Under Mike Vrabel, the Titans tended to dismiss the slot receiver position.
Vrabel’s Titans ran mostly 12-personnel (2 WR, 2 TE), but this is projected to change under Callahan, who comes from a pass-heavy Bengals offense.
Like the aforementioned Higgins, Boyd spent ample time with Callahan.
During his eight seasons in Cincinnati, Boyd was as consistent as they come on his way to becoming a fan-favorite. The veteran slot receiver registered 6,000 yards and 31 touchdowns in that span.
Boyd would provide Levis with a reliable underneath target for a low cost.
Projected contract: Two years, $15 million ($7.5M AAV)
Odell Beckham Jr.
Odell Beckham Jr. is coming off a relatively disappointing statistical season in Baltimore. Beckham recorded just 565 yards.
However, it was Odell’s first season back from a torn ACL, and couple that with being in a run-heavy offense and it was not a production-friendly situation for the veteran receiver.
Despite this, he still managed to be a source of explosive plays, tallying 16.1 yards per catch. Additionally, PFF’s grade of 76.2 suggests that OBJ was getting open regularly, despite a lack of targets (62).
What makes Beckham a potential target for the Titans, you might ask? Newly hired wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert has known Odell since he was a kid, and coached Beckham with the Giants back in 2018.
Tolbert also had nothing but great things to say about OBJ following his departure to the Cleveland Browns.
“Odell was a great player for us,” Tolbert said. “We all love Odell, we respect him as a player and wish him nothing but the best with the Cleveland Browns.”
Beckham’s strong connection with Tyke Tolbert makes him a strong candidate to sign with the Titans this offseason.
Projected contract: One year, $11.5 million ($11.5M AAV)
Calvin Ridley
Like other receivers on this list, Calvin Ridley has connections to the Titans’ newly-hired coaching staff.
Tennessee hired Jaguars passing-game coordinator Nick Holz to be their new offensive coordinator and Holz spent last season with Ridley in Duval county.
Ridley had an up-and-down season in 2023, but still finished with over 1,000 yards. It was reasonable to expect some rust, as Ridley had only played five combined games the previous two seasons, missing the entire 2022 season due to a gambling suspension.
Ridley is one of the NFL’s most prolific route-runners, as he has routinely put defenders on skates throughout his career.
The Alabama alum’s ability to separate has been something the Titans have lacked for years. It’s time to fix that.
Projected contract: Three years, $45 million ($15M AAV)
Darnell Mooney
Darnell Mooney is coming off back-to-back underwhelming seasons with Tolbert as his wide receivers coach in Chicago.
Why is he on this list then? Let me explain.
It’s hard to determine how much of Mooney’s lack of production is his fault. The 26-year-old receiver has not only dealt with injuries, but poor quarterback play and playing in a run-heavy offense, as well.
By all accounts, Mooney and Tolbert are believed to have a strong rapport. Tolbert has had high praise for the young receiver:
“He (Mooney) works as hard as anyone I’ve ever been around,” Tolbert said. “I can’t think of a guy who worked harder than him that I’ve coached.”
Mooney had over 1,000 yards in 2021, so there is clearly a good player inside of him. His situation makes him a strong buy-low candidate for the Titans this March.
Projected contract: One year, $6 million
