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Top “analytic” free agents for Tennessee Titans

By Will Lomas

Jan 9, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Chiefs free safety Eric Berry (29) celebrates after defeating the Houston Texans in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Kansas City won 30-0. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Chiefs free safety Eric Berry (29) celebrates after defeating the Houston Texans in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Kansas City won 30-0. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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One word that is getting thrown around in interviews with new Tennessee Titans GM Jon Robinson is analytics.

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Despite this, I am not really sure people know exactly what that means. While there are many different ways to “quantify” a player with stats, the one most readily available and bandied around is Pro Football Focus.

I don’t have anything against PFF, in fact when they were giving their game-by-game stats and showing the work behind their rankings they were one of the best football resources on the internet. However, now that they have a seemingly arbitrary ranking without showing their stats, it is very easy to question how they are actually ranking players.

However, despite this there are many who will use this as gospel so I decided to use their player grades to show which free agents fill the biggest needs for the Tennessee Titans.

So here are the top analytic free agents in the NFL.

Right Tackle: Mitchell Schwartz RT, Cleveland

Currently ranked as the 2nd overall right tackle in the league by PFF, Schwartz is someone I really like. The biggest quality here is, not only is he the top FA tackle to hit the market, but he is already a right tackle.

While everyone wants to just throw Laremy Tunsil in at left tackle and move Taylor Lewan over to right tackle, it isn’t that simple. I still think that Lewan could make that transition, but keeping Lewan at LT and bringing in Schwartz at RT is FAR easier to project than any other situation.

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    • Center: Manny Ramirez C, Detroit

    So when you think of quality offensive line play, Detroit is not what comes to mind. However, the 9 year veteran is exactly what the doctor ordered for the Titans. Not only is he PFF’s 4th rated center, but he is mean, physical and gives the Titans a veteran presence in the middle. All of these things are qualities that Jon Robinson has said he wants in any player that he will bring to the Titans.

    Running back: Lamar Miller RB, Miami

    For some reason it seems like Miller isn’t really wanted in Miami which is crazy because he is one of the best young backs in the league. Behind an offensive line in flux, he is averaging 4.6 YPC and had 16 touchdowns in the last two years.

    Miller has a unique blend of size (5’10 225 lb.) and speed (4.4 40-yard dash) and he is the perfect player to be the featured back in Tennessee.

    Wide Receiver: Alshon Jeffery WR, Chicago

    Again, this is another player that seems like they may not be on the same page as their franchise. Jeffery is a stud wide receiver and he is maybe the best young wide receiver outside of DeAndre Hopkins in the NFL. With terrible QB play and despite injuries he has averaged an astonishing 82 yards per game over the last three years and has 21 TDs.

    Guard: Jeff Allen guard, Kansas City

    While Richie Incognito is the top analytics guard set to hit FA, I think it is pretty clear that his off the field stuff is something the Titans won’t want to bring into their locker room. Again, this is another guy like Schwartz, Jefferey and Miller who is set to hit their second contract and who is unlikely to stay with their team.

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    Cornerback: Sean Smith cornerback, Kansas City

    The Titans are in need of a true top cornerback, but I believe they will try to fill that need with their first two picks in the 2016 NFL Draft. However, in a team devoid of veterans there are rumors of the key guys in the locker room being tired of not having any veterans around from winning organizations. Smith is a guy who has been successful in the past and who could help groom someone in the secondary like he did last year with Marcus Peters.

    Safety: Eric Berry safety, Kansas City

    The third Kansas City Chief on this list, Berry is probably the best player set to hit FA aside from Von Miller. Now, many believe that Berry will be tagged, but I have my doubts. He has a scary health history that may cause the team to evaluate their roster differently than people think.

    On one hand, you could keep one of the best safeties in the league for a huge deal. Or you could bring back your top interior offensive lineman, your second running back, your top cornerback, your inside linebacker and leader, and your other talented young safety. Now you can do one of these things, but not both. So which is more important to the Chiefs? Re-signing their young talent or keeping their superstar. Either way, it is good for the Titans.

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