What the Tennessee Titans need to do with their extra cap
By Will Lomas
The obvious answer for what the Tennessee Titans should do with their cap space.
Tennessee Titans GM Jon Robinson has already made some big signings this year and followed it up with a great 2018 NFL Draft. Now it is time t long down talent long term.
The Titans sit 4th on the list with $37 million in cap right now. They already have one of the most solid rosters in the NFL and if the guards can play up to 2016 level I am not sure they have a weakness right now.
While that is the case this year, Robinson knows that great rosters are built years in advance. That means that the Titans need to sign Marcus Mariota and Taylor Lewan to extensions now.
So, here are the contracts I would throw out there.
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Taylor Lewan 6 years, $80 million, $36 million guaranteed (45%), $13.3 million per year
Using Over The Cap I gave Lewan a nice long term deal worth over $13.3 million per year, with about 6 GTD.
That money would be
-2nd in average money per year
-4th in average GTD money per year
-2nd in money left on contract
The reason you extend a great LT early is to make sure you don’t have to blow away the market like the Giants did this year with Nate Solder. Still, you have to make sure your best guys are paid well.
This would be a great hit for a guy that many in the league would have to move to right tackle (GTHOH) and that the Titans HAD to draft Laremy Tunsil. Now he gets to be one of the franchises faces in the NFL, and maybe the most popular offensive lineman since Joe Thomas?
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Marcus Mariota: 5 years, $129 million, $49 million guaranteed (49%), $25.8 million per year
Taylor Lewan has been outstanding year in and year out other than when he had a shoulder injury. Mariota has had a similar profile, but he doesn’t have the resume, national standing or recognition that Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, or Matt Ryan.
That is why I gave him money sort of in the Matt Stafford, Derek Carr and Andrew Luck range, even though he is probably better than that group and will out preform them over the next five years.
Now, I know what you are thinking. That adds up to $39 million per year and the Titans only have $37 million to spend plus this rookie class.
Well, Lewan and Mariota are already going to make $17 million this year. So this would actually leave the Titans with $15 million to spend this year and the cap will rise every year from now on.
I think these would be two deals that work out for everyone and the Titans get set for the next half decade at the two most important positions on offense.