The Tennessee Titans have just finished their rookie minicamp and all reports are that it went pretty smoothly. With that onboarding process complete, it is time to look at when the rookies will get a chance to start working with their veteran counterparts.
Veterans still have a week before they need to take a break in their summer vacations and make their way back to Nashville since OTAs don’t start until May 23rd. Some will come in early and meet with rookies at their position groups and build chemistry (for example, like what Ryan Tannehill did with Malik Willis) but no one is expected to be in until the 23rd.
If I was a wide receiver, I would be making absolutely sure that I was at the top of my game heading into OTAs because I think that is going to be a key stretch for the Tennessee Titans.
The first “round” of OTAs is May 23rd, 24th, and 26th and it will give the Titans’ front office and coaching staff a chance to look at all of their pass catchers for the first time. If you are a veteran that doesn’t stand out at this time, you could be replaced by the time you put on pads again.
Why this stretch sets up the Tennessee Titans’ perfect free-agent window
If the Titans were going to pounce on a wide receiver, they would have done it before Jarvis Landry signed his deal with the New Orleans Saints. His deal effectively sets the market for receivers that are available during this wave of free agency.
There is a five-day gap between OTAs from the 26th until the next round starts on May 31, so this means that the Titans could come together and evaluate what they think they have at the position and what they lack.
If they think that they need more speed, they could take a chance on Will Fuller. If they want someone who is older but who has consistently proven themselves inside and outside they could reach out to Emmanuel Sanders or T.Y. Hilton.
Of course, if they really want to take a swing and they feel comfortable with their receiving options they could take a swing on Odell Beckham Jr. even though that seems like a long shot.
Another key factor is that June 1st is when the Julio Jones money hits the Titans’ bank account. With an extra $10 million, they can make a deal happen now instead of waiting around.
If the Titans sign someone on June 2nd, they would get a chance to bring them in and get them familiar with some of the playbook before the final round of OTAs on June 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th.
That gives the new addition a foothold and they would also have a month to get more familiar with the terminology and with their teammates before the mandatory minicamp on June 14th.
So, June 2nd would be the perfect day for the Tennessee Titans to sign a veteran free agent because they would have an influx of new money, a better idea of what they need, time to slowly work the veteran into the offense, and there are still quality receiver options available.