Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi and his support system made it clear that the vision to rebuild the franchise starts with the 2025 NFL Draft. However, that can't happen in a single offseason and the franchise has to use free agency supplement the roster.
For Titans fans who want to begin window shopping, ESPN recently released their list of the top 50 impending free agents, and as always, there are a few takeaways.
First and foremost, the Titans don't possess any impending free agents on that list. That is bittersweet because teams are most likely to re-sign their free agents rather than outbid 31 other teams for a free agent that makes it to the open market. However, it also means that nearly all of the spending this offseason should be going to players who should be an improvement over any outgoing players they are replacing.
Since the start of 2024, the Titans have a new head coach, GM, OC, and DC. That means that quite a few of these impending free agents have ties to the Titans, and that could make them especially interesting for Borgonzi and company.
These are some of the names that stand out as having the most prominent connection to someone on the Titans staff.
1. Tee Higgins WR, Cincinnati Bengals
There has been dot-connecting between the Titans and Tee Higgins since Brian Callahan was hired last year. The offense needs more young talent at the position and Higgins is a perfect fit as the "X" receiver in Callahan's scheme with Calvin Ridley playing the "Z."
2. Trey Smith RG, Kansas City Chiefs
It's difficult to imagine a free agent who would invigorate the Titans fan base more than Trey Smith. He has been a key cog in the Chiefs' dynasty, he'd address a need, and he is a former Tennessee Vol who was born in the state. Borgonzi obviously played a role in drafting Smith.
9. Josh Sweat EDGE, Philadelphia Eagles
By far, the best season of Josh Sweat's career came in 2022 when he had 11 sacks on an Eagles defense that had great talent and elite coaching. Titans DC Dennard Wilson was a big part of that coaching staff and he knows exactly what kind of player Sweat can be.
14. Cam Robinson LT, Minnesota Vikings
An under-the-radar player/coach connection is Cam Robinson who was the left tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars when Nick Holz was the team's passing game coordinator in 2023. During that time, Robinson had one of the best seasons of his career, and if the Titans are serious about potentially moving J.C. Latham over to right tackle, Robinson could be a real option at left tackle.
16. Milton Williams DL, Eagles
Milton Williams had a breakout season with the Eagles this year and looks like a potential game-changer as a pass rusher. He will probably be out of the Titans price range considering that they already have two very good starters at the position, but adding him could make Wilson's defense better and deeper.
17. Haason Reddick EDGE, New York Jets
Another former Eagles player with ties to Wilson, Haason Reddick's public image took a nosedive after what he did to the New York Jets last season. If Wilson vouches for him, Reddick has elite potential, and signing him while drafting Abdul Carter would make life a nightmare for the other AFC South quarterbacks.
24. Nick Bolton LB, Chiefs
This front office may not invest heavily in off-ball linebackers, but if Borgonzi thinks that Nick Bolton can be a leader on this defense who brings a winning culture to that locker room, it could be a lower-cost signing that earns consideration.
43. Justin Reid S, Chiefs
Bolton and Justin Reid are similar, with age being the only real difference in their potential value to the Titans. Looking for a starter opposite Amani Hooker this offseason, Borgonzi could rely on his familiarity with Reid.