Grading the Tennessee Titans biggest free agency moves
By Brady Akins
![BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 11: Quarterback Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Tennessee Titans and Derrick Henry #22 talk on the field during the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 11: Quarterback Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Tennessee Titans and Derrick Henry #22 talk on the field during the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Ftitansized-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2016-2F04-2F1198941006-850x560-d1b6de8b876f360dedfcf6e74df085185c57222b41818f29c9c9c77f11308418.jpg)
Cuts, Walks, and Other Departures:
Speaking of freeing up salary cap room, the Titans weren’t shy to show the door to a few players in free agency, cutting some while letting others move on to new teams.
Of the biggest names who found new homes early in free agency were quarterback Marcus Mariota and right tackle Jack Conklin. The writing was on the wall for Mariota, who will be taking his talents to Las Vegas. But the potential to resign Conklin was up in the air, who signed a big deal with the Cleveland Browns– leading to the Titans to extend Dennis Kelly’s contract.
Of the most notable cuts, Delanie Walker, Ryan Succop, and Dion Lewis, none of the departing faces felt too detrimental. The Titans will miss Walker in the locker room, but the tight end had been struggling to stay on the field due to injuries in recent seasons, with Jonnu Smith coming to replace him in 2019 and showcasing his potential as the tight end of the future.
Conklin’s departure will be the biggest blow, but it’s not one the Titans can’t recover from. Kelley has proven to be a capable starter in his time with Tennessee, while the rest of the big names leaving the team could have younger, higher upside replacements in the draft.
Tennessee might struggle at the right side of the offensive line and maybe even tight end at first, but they should be able to recover.
Grade: B