One of the first things that comes up in any conversation about the Tennessee Titans roster is that they need more depth.
That is absolutely true, but it also applies to 30 other NFL teams so it doesn't lead to a productive conversation. Instead of getting bogged down in places where the Titans could use depth or competition, I wanted to look at which positions they need the most.
For example, whether you love or hate Chig Okonkwo and Josh Whyle as the TE1 and TE2 on this roster, they need another body in the tight end room. However, I don't consider tight end as a pressing need at all because if those two started 17 games I think it would be good news for the Tennessee Titans.
On the other hand, if Jaelyn Duncan has to start at left tackle again this year, the Titans won't be able to run a functional offense because he makes everyone worse around him. That is why I consider left tackle as a pressing need.
So which positions do the Tennessee Titans have to fill in the draft or immediately after with a quick free agent signing?
Needs the Titans must solve in the next week
Left tackle
I brought this up earlier, but the Tennessee Titans have a painful need at left tackle right now. Currently, they have three tackles on their roster in Nicholas Petit-Frere, Dillon Radunz, and Jaelyn Duncan. Assuming that NPF is the starter at right tackle, that leaves Radunz and Duncan as the options at left tackle.
Brian Callahan has made it clear that he thinks that Radunz is primarily a guard who can offer some emergency help at tackle, which leaves Jaelyn Duncan as the lone candidate to start at left tackle.
Even with Bill Callahan's elite coaching, Duncan looks like he needs a year of career rehab after the "coaching" that he got from Mike Vrabel and the coaching staff last year. If the Titans start him at left tackle this year, go ahead and start looking into which prospects they might draft in the top 10 next season.
Safety
In Baltimore and New York, Dennard Wilson coached defenses that turned Kyle Hamilton and Jamal Adams into household names because of they could do close to the line of scrimmage. I could see Elijah Molden filling a similar role considering the flashes that Molden showed during his rookie season as a slot corner.
However, Molden hasn't shown that he can stay healthy and even then he might be a better fit as a sixth DB who is on the field for dime looks to give the Titans a better chance at covering the middle of the field on passing downs.
Safety could be filled after the draft, but if they love someone in that role then they could pull the trigger.
Defensive line
Jeffery Simmons is a star and he can dominate an offensive line by himself if he needs to, but it sure would be nice if he had some help.
While people will say that EDGE is a bigger need, I have more faith than most in Harold Landry, Arden Key, and Rashad Weaver. The biggest reason why I feel that way is because this defense is going to feature A LOT of blitzing and the pass rush won't solely depend on 4-man rushes winning with twists and stunts like it has in the past.
Most of the stress is going to be put on the DBs who are going to have to stay glued to their man on these blitzes which is why the Tennessee Titans made big investments in L'Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie.
However, the Titans are going to need more bodies on the defensive line to get into third-and-long situations. Losing Teair Tart and Denico Autry hurts this group and it is up to Ran Carthon to find a way to mitigate that with minimal resources.