The Tennessee Titans are facing a rebuild this offseason but can get a great jump start on it thanks to the wealth of cap space and pair of top-40 draft selections the team has.
After having financial constraints last offseason, the Titans are set to have about $65.2 million in cap space this offseason, per Over the Cap, which is the fourth-most in the NFL.
That’s based on a salary cap figure of $242 million, but Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reports it could go as high as $250 million. The league hasn’t revealed what the number will actually be yet.
Bear in mind, Tennessee can open up more cap space by making cuts, of which there is expected to be at least one with left tackle Andre Dillard.
Three of Tennessee’s biggest needs are at left tackle, wide receiver and cornerback.
In a recent article naming the best fit for each of ESPN’s top-50 free agents, Matt Bowen named the Titans as ideal landing spots for two of them, while also naming other teams as best fits for two of Tennessee’s own free agents.
Here’s a look at what Bowen had to say about each of them and some of our thoughts.
WR Marquise Brown
Free-agent ranking: 28
Best fit: Tennessee Titans
What Bowen said:
Brown would add a different element to the Titans’ wide receiver room because of his vertical stretch ability and open-field speed after the catch on in-breakers. Brown has 28 touchdowns in his career (four with the Cardinals in 2023), with 10 of them coming on throws of 20 or more air yards. In coach Brian Callahan’s offense, Brown would work with DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks to give quarterback Will Levis a versatile group of pass-catchers.
While Brown wouldn’t be as attractive of an addition as Tee Higgins would be, he’ll be easier to acquire, as Higgins is likely to get the franchise tag and will have to be traded for.
Brown offers a solid No. 2 option behind DeAndre Hopkins who can take the top off the defense and he’s only 26, so he could present a long-term solution.
The problem with Brown is that he’s had some trouble staying healthy the past two years, with eight games missed in that span. On the flip side, that might make him a bit cheaper than he otherwise would be.
Spotrac estimates Brown will get a contract that pays him $14.8 million per year over four years. If you tell me there are outs in the final two years of such a deal, I can live with it.
CB Chidobe Awuzie
Free-agent ranking: 29
Best fit: Tennessee Titans
What Bowen said:
The Titans need some veteran help in the secondary, as they allowed the league’s third-worst completion percentage to opponents (67.8%). And at 6-foot and 200 pounds, Awuzie not only has the man coverage skills to challenge on the perimeter, but also the fluid movement traits and closing speed to play off the ball in zone schemes. This is a solid fit for new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. Awuzie didn’t have a pick in 2023 with Cincinnati, but he did make 57 tackles and force a fumble.
This is the route the Titans should take for their need at cornerback, as it would allow them to focus their most valuable draft resources on the offensive side of the ball.
Awuzie isn’t the best option on the open market, but he’s right there and would be an upgrade over Kristian Fulton. His name has been mentioned plenty when it comes to the Titans thanks to his connection with new head coach Brian Callahan from their days together in Cincinnati.
I would prefer the Titans go big here and lock up the top free-agent option in Jaylon Johnson (assuming he doesn’t get tagged) but I’d be happy with Awuzie as a consolation prize.
RB Derrick Henry
Free-agent ranking: 37
Best fit: Baltimore Ravens
What Bowen said:
Both J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards are set to be free agents, and Keaton Mitchell suffered a knee injury near the end of the 2023 regular season. There’s an opening here, and Henry could star as the lead back in Todd Monken’s offense. Even if his overall play speed is starting to decline, he’s a downhill hammer with excellent vision, and he can still find the end zone. Henry had 12 rushing scores last season with the Titans, and he’d upgrade the Ravens’ run game when paired with Lamar Jackson.
As much as it pains me to say it since I’d hate to see another Titans great go to the Ravens, this is a good fit for Henry.
As Bowen points out, Dobbins and Edwards (who might be an option for the Titans) are set to be free agents and Mitchell might not be ready for the start of the season.
Pairing Henry with Lamar Jackson would make Baltimore’s offense even tougher to stop and, despite recent struggles in the playoffs, the Ravens will at least put Henry in contention for the Super Bowl ring he’s looking for.
CB Sean Murphy-Bunting
Free-agent ranking: 38
Best fit: Minnesota Vikings
What Bowen said:
I originally had Murphy-Bunting to Arizona here, but I believe the Vikings will be seeking some corners for Brian Flores’ aggressive system, and he’d work well in Minnesota. With his long frame and fluid hips, Murphy-Bunting can challenge on the outside or match in blitz coverage. He has eight interceptions and 22 pass breakups over five pro seasons, with two picks in 2023 in Tennessee.
I wouldn’t mind the Titans bringing SMB back as a No. 2 cornerback behind a significant free-agent signing at the position after a decent first season in Nashville in 2023.
Minnesota’s pass defense was even worse than Tennessee’s last year and the team doesn’t have a ton of cap space, so the fit makes sense.
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