With a new GM in place and a massive upgrade to the coaching staff, the Tennessee Titans appear primed to take a focused approach this offseason. Additional staffing changes may follow, and the Titans will probably hire another high-ranking official to join the revamped front office, but the key positions seem to be locked in.
The 3-14 record during the 2024 season doesn't reflect well on the Titans' direction, and it's obvious that holes need to be filled this offseason if the team is going to take a step forward in 2025.
Everyone is laser-focused on the quarterback position, but the Titans aren't simply a quarterback away. In fact, when you analyze the quarterbacks that will be available in the offseason, it's difficult to see any of them coming in and elevating the Titans above their roster level. If that is the case, then doesn't it make sense to identify and fix the holes in the supporting cast because focusing on a quarterback who will depend on that group to succeed?
With that in mind, we've compiled a list of five non-QB positions that must be addressed if the Titans are going to succeed this offseason. They are ranked from most important to least important, but potential cap cuts could adjust these rankings as we head toward free agency (less than seven weeks away).
5. Right guard
If the Kansas City Chiefs let Trey Smith hit free agency, everyone should fully expect the Titans to overpay to get him to Tennessee. Signing Smith would earn the front office goodwill with the Tennessee Volunteers fans in the area, adding another high-end player to a position group potentially ready to take a big leap in 2025.
4. Safety
The Titans' depth chart at safety currently possesses Amani Hooker, Kendell Brooks, and ERFA Mike Brown. Everyone else is scheduled for free agency, so there is urgency to acquire talent, including a starter capable of playing opposite Hooker, and a third safety who can play some situational football.
The good news is that Quandre Diggs was a good starter for the Titans and he sounds open to a return. The free agent market is usually flooded with safeties, pushing this need down the list even though it is one of the team's weakest positions as of January.
3. Wide Receiver
Wide receiver is a strange position for the Titans. On one hand, Calvin Ridley was spectacular after the first month and a half. UFAs Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Tyler Boyd both were solid for stretches, and the team could bring one or both back, but neither should be considered irreplaceable.
They'll likely re-sign Westbrook-Ikhine or Boyd, which means the new regime will probably be searching for an above-average starter to round out the trio. If the Titans wanted to sign another veteran, the free agency class seems deep enough to have an answer, but there should be some solid options that fall to the top of the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft if new GM Mike Borgonzi wants to roll the dice.
2. EDGE
If the Titans had a talented rotational EDGE behind Harold Landry and Arden Key, the group could probably be a middle-of-the-pack unit. However, if the defense added a true alpha at EDGE (like Abdul Carter), it would exponentially improve the play of Landry and Key, and it could be the missing piece that elevates this defense.
1. Right tackle
Two of the biggest free agent signings the Chiefs made with Borgonzi as a key member of the decision-making process were Jawaan Taylor (right tackle) and Joe Thuney (guard). The organization wasn't afraid to invest heavily in the offensive line, and since the Titans aren't on the hook for a big quarterback salary, expect them to try to bring in a tackle this offseason.
Keep in mind that J.C. Latham spent his college career at right tackle before moving to left tackle as a rookie with the Titans. The team should be open to adding a tackle at either side knowing Latham possesses that versatility.