2 free-agent upgrades could still bolster Titans' EDGE depth

The Tennessee Titans have spent the last few weeks adding veteran free agents to their roster in an attempt to bolster their depth. Most notably, wide receiver Tyler Boyd signed a one-year deal to become the new starting slot receiver. Elsewhere, tight end Nick Vannett was signed to compete for No. 3 duties behind Chig Okonkwo and Josh Whyle. It's now time for general manager Ran Carthon to turn his attention to the EDGE position, where better depth is required to compete for the AFC South division title.

The Titans lost Denico Autry, who led the team in sacks last season, to the Houston Texans in free agency. The expectation was that Carthon would either sign or draft a like-for-like replacement. That prevailing thought did not come to fruition as the Titans didn't make any major acquisitions at the position. The roster's current make-up indicates Arden Key will start opposite Harold Landry III.

The issue? Key is best utilized as a situational pass rusher where his speed and skill-set is most effective. Key totaled 728 defensive snaps last season, which accounted for 63.25% of all Titans plays, per Pro Football Reference. It's tough to envision a significant increase to Key's workload.

The Titans roster currently lacks high-end options to offer Key the breather he'll require. As constructed, Rashad Weaver is slated to be the first rotational option off the bench. Weaver lacks the athleticism to consistently create matchup problems. Pro Football Focus credited Weaver with just seven pressures and a 51.3 pass-rush grade last season.

The alternatives include Caleb Murphy, Thomas Rush, and Jaylen Harrell. Murphy and Rush are second-year undrafted free agents who couldn't get on the field last season. Harrell is a rookie seventh-rounder. It'd be beyond shocking if any of them made consistent contributions to the 2024 defense.

The best remaining options in free agency may be Carl Lawson and Tyus Bowser. Both Lawson and Bowser possess ties to the coaching staff. That matters, considering head coach Brian Callahan has already acquired two players he's familiar with (Boyd and Chido Awuzie). Other offseason additions like Calvin Ridley have ties to other members of Callahan's staff.

Carl Lawson

Coach Callahan spent two seasons (2019-20) with Lawson in Cincinnati. He totaled 10.5 sacks and 99 pressures across those two campaigns. It's been a difficult run of form for Lawson since. He suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in 2021 shortly after signing a lucrative contract with the New York Jets. The former Auburn standout returned to play a full 17-game season in 2022, totaling 7.0 sacks and 49 pressures.

Lawson unfortunately couldn't keep that momentum going in 2023. A back injury limited him to six appearances. Even when healthy, Lawson hardly saw the field in a deep Jets rotation, finishing the season with merely five tackles and no sacks. He'd represent a terrific buy-low candidate for the Titans, who simply need veteran juice behind Landry and Key.

Tyus Bowser

Tyus Bowser was a breakout player for the Ravens between 2019 and 2021, accumulating 14 sacks across that time frame. But Bowser unfortunately suffered an Achilles injury in the 2021 regular-season finale that derailed the majority of his 2022 season. The 29-year-old outside linebacker played in just nine games throughout 2022.

A setback suffered during the summer landed Bowser on the reserve/non-football injury list to start the 2023 season. He was never activated onto the 53-man roster, and ended up sitting out the entire campaign. The Ravens released Bowser in March.

New Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson was the Ravens' defensive backs coach last season. Wilson didn't get to witness Bowser perform on the field, but he'll be familiar with his overall attitude, approach, and how much he meant to the Ravens' locker room. Taking a flier on Bowser would provide the Titans' group of outside linebackers with a higher ceiling.