Tennessee Titans skill players set the market in free agency

Did the Titans make the right call?

I’m not sure I ever remember a time in NFL history where two skill players from the Tennessee Titans set the market for their positions.

The Tennessee Titans decided that their money would be spent better elsewhere this offseason and they let Corey Davis and Jonnu Smith walk. Both were quickly snatched up in free agency with Davis signing with the New York Jets and Smith going to the Patriots.

I kept waiting on another big signing to happen, but right now it looks like they both will have the biggest contract for their position groups.

While Kenny Golladay is holding out for a big deal, it looks like his market is going to be $11-12 million on a one-year deal. If we assume that, then this is what the free agent wide receivers look like in order of their 2021 cash:

I’m sure everyone remembers because it broke the heart of Titans’ Twitter, but Jonnu Smith got a $50 million deal and is now the third highest-paid tight end in the NFL.

Again, it looks like Tennessee GM Jon Robinson is balancing addressing some needs (EDGE, DL, LB, OT) by letting guys like David and Smith walk.

More from Titan Sized

• Tennessee Titans suspiciously quiet about major draft need
• Tennessee Titans agree to new deal with star Jeffery Simmons
• Caesars Promo Code Expires Soon – Claim $1,250 Today
• 3 needs that are being overblown by Tennessee Titans fans
• Tennessee Titans have potential dilemmas in 2023 NFL Draft

Whether or not that is the best idea is up for debate, but it looks like Robinson is just trying to make sure that the Titans roster has as few holes as possible instead of being lopsided heading into the 2021 NFL Draft.

One side note is, right now Tennessee’s front office has to be hoping for Jadeveon Clowney and DaQuan Jones to sign somewhere else. Looking at compensatory picks down the line, Bud Dupree and Denico Autry likely offset the picks that they would get from losing Davis and Smith.

If Clowney and Jones can sign decent deals (let’s say $10 million and $5 million or more in AAV) it should end up with Tennessee receiving another 3rd round compensatory pick in 2022. Someone smarter than me will have to do the math and really figure out exactly what that trade-off will look like, but right now they have to be holding their breath that someone will bite on one of their remaining big names.