Feb 20, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt speaks during a press conference during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
With free agency opening next week and the NFL Combine a thing of the past the Tennessee Titans new coaching staff, led by Ken Whisenhunt, will be using this time in the off-season to evaluate the Titans current roster. Who will stay? Who will go? Where will they look to add? Here’s a pre-free agency breakdown of the offense
Currently on the roster:
QB
Jake Locker, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tyler Wilson
RB
Chris Johnson, Shonn Greene, Jackie Battle
WR
Kendall Wright, Nate Washington, Justin Hunter, Michael Preston
TE
Delanie Walker, Craig Stevens, Taylor Thompson
OL
Michael Roos, Andy Levitre, Brian Schwenke, Chance Warmack, David Stewart (RFA), Byron Stingily
Offensive Free Agents
Rusty Smith ,QB
Leon Washington, RB
Kenny Britt, WR
Marc Mariani, WR
Kevin Walter, WR
Damian Williams, WR
Mike Otto, OL
Kevin Matthews, OL
Chris Spencer, OL
Rob Turner, OL
Who should stay?
-The team has already resigned RB Jackie Battle and he looks to be the teams 3rd string running back, as well as serve as a special teams player.
-Other players they could possibly retain include: Leon Washington, Marc Mariani, Damian Williams, and also look for them to re-sign at least one of their impending offensive linemen free agents.
-Washington and Mariani serve basically the same role, kick returner, so if one re-signs the other is basically gone.
-WR Damian Williams has served a role in the Titans WR corps and he adds solid depth to good group of wide receivers, the Titans should look to re-sign him
-Luckily for the Titans there aren’t any key offensive players hitting the market this offseason.
Who should go?
-RT David Stewart has had a hell of a run with the organization, but the past two seasons he has broken down physically. The Titans will miss his toughness and run blocking ability, but Stewart is a shell of the player he used to be and his price is too steep for a player of his caliber. Look for the Titans to release Stewart.
-RB Chris Johnson is without a doubt the teams most known and recognizable player. He also has been the teams best player/offensive weapon for the majority of the time he has been with the team. But it is looking as if the marriage is all but over between CJ and the Tennessee Titans. He is due $8 million this season and with a consistent decline in production, the Titans seem prepared to release their star running back. If Johnson was willing to restructure his deal, I’d say keep him, but $8 million is simply too much against the cap.
-WR Kenny Britt is gone, his play last season was an absolute disgrace. WR Nate Washington has had his name mentioned as a possible cap casualty this offseason, but they Titans should retain him considering he has gotten better every season since they originally signed him as a free agent.
-TE Craig Stevens is due 4 million, a number that is quite steep considering he is mainly a blocker. His number might need to be re-negotiated or he could be cut.
Possible targets?
-The Titans will look to add a RB and T this off-season whether that be through the draft of free agency.
-At pick 11 the Titans will surely not spend it on a running back, but tackle could be a possibility with pick 11. I’d expect the Titans to go defense in the first round though, unless there is a tackle prospect they absolutely love. One tackle that could intrigue them at pick 11 is the Michigan man Taylor Lewan.
-The Titans will draft a running back, but whether they view the need as significant enough to use a 2nd round draft pick has yet to be determined. Backs they could be intrigued by include: Carlos Hyde (OSU), Tre Mason (Auburn), KaDeem Carey (Arizona).
-The Titans need to add another QB to the roster and look for them to draft a young arm somewhere through rounds 4-7 in the draft.
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