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Tennessee Titans PSA: Free agent EDGEs are expensive

By Will Lomas

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 13: Brandon Graham #55 of the Philadelphia Eagles forces a fumble from Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 13: Brandon Graham #55 of the Philadelphia Eagles forces a fumble from Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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Something we all need to talk about before free agency starts for the Tennessee Titans.

The Tennessee Titans largest holes right now are EDGE and interior offensive line, but those positions have vastly different price tags.

Over the last few years, the guard and center price tag has risen but it is nowhere near as expensive as it is to bring in a free agent EDGE. Rightfully so, as the league has shifted into more of a passing league the importance of sacks and pressures has been emphasized.

I don’t know whether the fact that several EDGEs were hitting the market this year made people think that the position would be cheaper, but you need to know that if you are trying to bring in an above average starter you better be willing to make at least a 3-4 year commitment and be ready to pay $14+ million.

This was proven today when Brandon Graham re-signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.

This is important because there are few teams in the NFL better equipped to let a free agent EDGE walk than Philly. Right now, these are the EDGEs they have under contract with Graham:

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-Brandon Graham

-Derek Barnett

-Michael Bennett

-Chris Long

-Josh Sweat

-Daeshon Hall

-Joe Ostman

I mean, that is a lot of talent and depth to pay a 30 year old EDGE an average of $13 million per year. What that tells me is that they either have no confidence in Derek Barnett and Josh Sweat as long-term young answers, or they thought that was a really good deal.

I say all that, to show you that if there is a free agent EDGE in his prime that meets with a team in actual need of a pass rusher, they are going to clear $15 million easily.

If you are a fan who thinks that free agency is going to solve the Titans need at EDGE then you aren’t wrong. There are plenty of above average player who will hit free agency, however if you think they can do it cheaply or even for less than $12+ million or so per year, then you are out of your mind.

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Let’s say the Titans are the team that Trey Flowers feels the most comfortable going to, you are talking about signing a 25 year old player coming off of the best season of his young career with a Super Bowl ring.

That is a guy who looks poised for a $17 million contract with around half of that guaranteed.

So, as you see teams interested in top EDGEs you probably won’t see the Titans name mentioned too frequently (to be fair you almost never see their name unless they are minutes away from signing someone thanks to Jon Robinson’s great job preventing leaks).

The more you look at it, the more it seems like going after an EDGE in the first round makes the most since financially and logically in this class, so don’t be surprised if the only move they make at that position this offseason is maybe a third wave guy.

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