Prior to Free Agency, the Titans released a few notable players. Here, let’s take a look at how these guys could be replaced
According to Adam Schefter, the Cleveland Browns and Jack Conklin agreed to a 3-year, $42 million deal. Even though free agency hasn’t technically started yet, Conklin isn’t the first notable player who is no longer a Titan.
On March 12th, the Titans made the decision to release Cameron Wake and Dion Lewis. This wasn’t surprising, as both players had underperformed, and the Titans definitely can make better use of that cap space elsewhere.
However, the next day, March 13th, the Titans also released Delanie Walker and Ryan Succop. The Succop move was well-warranted, but the Delanie move caught some by surprise. Delanie has been a key cog of this Titans’ team, and has been arguably the best Tight End in Titans history.
But while Delanie was universally loved by fans, the NFL is a business, and he’s simply gotten too expensive and injured.
So, the Titans will be going into Free Agency having already lost five once-productive players from the team. You can probably assume Logan Ryan can be added to that list as well, as it seems he’ll at least be allowed to test the market.
Players that Titans fans have grown accustomed to seeing on the field on Sundays will be wearing other uniforms in 2020. With that being said, let’s take a look at what the Titans could possibly do to replace said players.
Ryan Succop
From 2014-2018, Ryan Succop never finished the season with a field goal percentage less than 83%.
Then 2019 happened: Succop went 1-for-6 on field goals for an abysmal percentage of 16.7%. Granted, he did deal with injuries, but poor field goal kicking was the difference between a win and a loss too many times this year.
While the other kickers on the roster didn’t exactly do much better, the Titans just have to get a more reliable kicker. Kicking can be the difference between making the playoffs and not.
The Titans brought in Greg Joseph in December, and placed Succop on injured reserve. Interestingly, Greg Joseph was signed to a multi-year deal, which is rare for December free agent additions.
Because of the multi-year contract, I expect Joseph to be the favorite to win the kicking job. However, don’t be surprised if the Titans draft a kicker in the later rounds to compete.
Dion Lewis
Since signing a 4-year-deal in 2018, Dion Lewis has been vastly underwhelming.
Lewis signed a $20 million deal and didn’t come close to living up to it, so it made sense to cut him for cap relief. It is clear, however, that the Titans would benefit from a reliable change of pace back to spell Derrick Henry. What Dion Lewis was SUPPOSED to be.
Lewis only rushed for a little over 200 yards this year, so production shouldn’t be terribly hard to replace. And since Derrick Henry will be back in Nashville, the Titans don’t exactly need another work horse.
Nevertheless, it would help tremendously if the Titans added a capable backup. Due to having other needs, and already investing a high salary in Henry, I fully expect the Titans to draft a running back in the 2020 draft. I believe Jon Robinson feels like he can get similar, if not better, production than Dion out of a cheaper rookie option. I mentioned in a previous piece the Titans met with several running backs at the NFL combine a few weeks ago.
I expect one of those players listed to be a Titan in a few months.
Cameron Wake
Cameron Wake was released only one year into a 3 year, $23 million pact.
After week 1 in Cleveland, it looked like that deal was going to be a steal for the Titans. Wake collected 2.5 sacks against Cleveland, but failed to register a single sack after week 1, and only registered one more tackle the rest of the season.
This was probably a combination of age and injury, but ultimately the Titans decided to cut bait and use that money elsewhere. The rookie pass-rusher class doesn’t seem to be especially deep, so this is one area I fully expect the Titans to spend on. Other than Harold Landry, there just isn’t much to get excited about with these current pass rushers.
The idea of Jadeveon Clowney in two-tone blue makes a ton of sense. You have the Houston connection between Clowney and Vrabel, and even after retaining Tannehill and Henry, the Titans should have enough money left over to bring Clowney into the fold if they choose to.
Even if Clowney isn’t an option, this free agent class is loaded with talent. Markus Golden, Dante Fowler, and Jordan Jenkins are just a few options the Titans could choose to pursue.
Delanie Walker
Not gonna lie, this one stung a little.
One of the longest-tenured Titans, Delanie Walker has been a key part of this team since his arrival in 2013. At times, Walker seemed to be the best player on the team. 2018 and 2019 were not kind to Delanie however, as he missed most of the last two seasons due to injury. This combined with his age and injury history made him a sensible release candidate.
For the first time in what feels like forever, the Titans seem to have a need at tight end. Or maybe not. This staff seems to be very confident in Jonnu Smith, and they might have reason to be. Smith has improved every year he’s been in the league, finishing with 35 receptions for 439 yards in 2019.
Smith seems poised to be the starter, as I don’t see the Titans adding to this group until the draft perhaps. Anthony Firkser was re-signed , and he seems to be solid depth. MyCole Pruitt is a free agent now, but i’m sure the Titans could get him back relatively cheap if they value his blocking.
It will be strange seeing Delanie on another team, but I believe the Titans’ tight end spot is in good hands.
Jack Conklin
As I mentioned previously, Conklin agreed to a pretty substantial deal with the Cleveland Browns.
This seems to leave a big hole on the right side of the Titans’ offensive line, but I’m not so sure of that. Soon after the Conklin news broke, it was reported that the Titans had an agreement to bring back Dennis Kelly. Kelly has looked solid when asked to fill in, and the Titans like his versatility along the line.
Obviously losing Conklin hurts, but I think re-signing Kelly leaves the Titans in a good position. You could do much worse at right tackle than Dennis Kelly, and he won’t come with as steep a price tag as Conklin.
That’s not to say I think Kelly is the surefire starter at right tackle, however. I would not be surprised if now the Titans use their late-first-round pick on an offensive lineman. Giving Kelly some young competition would be good for everybody.
Most teams would be severely downgrading if they lost an all-pro lineman, but the Titans are uniquely equipped to handle this situation.