6 players Titans should make off-limits at NFL trade deadline

The Tennessee Titans traded DeAndre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday. Hours later, linebacker Ernest Jones IV was dealt to the Seattle Seahawks for more draft capital. With general manager Ran Carthon admitting he's a seller at the upcoming November 5 trade deadline, almost every player on the roster should be available at the right price.

Almost every player. Excluding the rookie class, there are six additional Titans that shouldn't be available for trade, unless Carthon and Chad Brinker receive a Godfather-like "offer they can't refuse."

1. Jeffery Simmons, DL

While Jeffery Simmons is still an integral part of the defense, staying consistently healthy and productive has been a challenge over the last calendar year. When Simmons has been healthy, he has been very effective, but he currently isn't making enough splash plays in Dennard Wilson's defense to justify his massive contract.

Despite those negatives, Simmons is a 27-year-old defensive tackle who has made the Pro Bowl twice in his career. He and T'Vondre Sweat are the most promising tandem that the Titans have at any position on the roster, and he is well-respected in the locker room and around the NFL. The Titans don't have many of those, and they should hold onto to the precious few.

2. Harold Landry, EDGE

Harold Landry might never be an All-Pro, but he is a steady EDGE that forces you to pay attention to him on every play. Despite recovering from an ACL injury suffered in 2022, Landry has 12.5 sacks in his last 17 games dating back to last season, including three multi-sack games.

Simmons is a vocal leader, but Landry is the quiet veteran on the roster who leads by example. Whether the Titans line him up at EDGE, off-ball linebacker, or even slot corner, Landry puts in the work and is on a trajectory to become the most prolific pass rusher the franchise has had since moving to Tennessee.

3. Roger McCreary, CB

The Titans are going to have good cornerbacks for the forseeable future. L'Jarius Sneed had a rough second half against the Indianapolis Colts, but he's still a good boundary corner who should lockdown that position for years. Chidobe Awuzie is a tier below Sneed, but he is still an above-average starter in this league when healthy.

Behind those two, Jarvis Brownlee Jr. has been one of the league's best rookie cornerbacks this year, showing all the signs of becoming a good starter in the NFL.

At just 24 years old, Roger McCreary is developing into one of the best slot corners in the NFL. McCreary allowed the Titans to focus on getting long, physical corners who matchup on the outside this offseason. That isn't easy to find, and he should be a fixture of this defense for a decade.

4. Amani Hooker, S

Speaking of young defensive backs, Amani Hooker has played for the Titans for six years, but he is only 26 years old. After all that time, Hooker has become a great leader in the secondary, taking over that mantle from Kevin Byard.

The Titans have been an impressive defense this year and you can see why they have had success after looking over this list. Carthon and Brinker shouldn't sell off key pieces like Hooker, Simmons, Landry, or McCreary, because the defense is going to have to be the face of the franchise until the offense can start to pull its weight.

5. Calvin Ridley, WR

Calvin Ridley is a no-brainer despite his current struggles and the outrage from the fan base.

The former Crimson Tide pass-catcher has been a playmaker in the NFL, and though he's dropped the occasional pass this season, the majority of blame for his slow start in Tennessee falls on starting quarterback Will Levis and the offense.

The Titans should retain Ridley because he's the only proven playmaker under contract
at receiver for next season. The next quarterback will need weapons to throw to, and Ridley can still be that player despite his lack of production so far.

If you need another reason, just look at his contract. If the Titans traded him, that move would leave them with more than $30 million in total dead cap charges with no immediate financial relief, according to Over The Cap.

6. Lloyd Cushenberry, C

Lloyd Cushenberry and J.C. Latham are the two offensive linemen that are easiest to project as returning starters even two years from now. Cushenberry has been solid this season and he plays a position that ages very well, so there is no reason to move on from the 26-year-old pivot, even though offensive lines around the NFL are desperate for talented players.