Available defensive free agents that general manager Ran Carthon should check out
Despite a last place finish in the AFC South this past season, all was not dire when it came to the defensive unit of the Tennessee Titans. This side of the ball has several talented pieces, and general manager Ran Carthon has been busy this offseason shoring up a few spots. However, the Titans did lose some quality performers via free agency.
In 2023, this club allowed only 30 offensive touchdowns in 17 contests – somewhat surprising for a team that finished 6-11 and dead last in the AFC South. Tennessee finished 16th in the league in points allowed (387), but allowed 30 or more points only twice.
The new defensive coordinator is Dennard Wilson, who spent 2023 as the defensive backfield coach for the Baltimore Ravens. That club tied for the NFL lead with 31 takeaways. Meanwhile, the Titans forced only 14 turnovers (including a league-low 6 interceptions) this past season. Only the Carolina Panthers (11) created fewer turnovers.
Among the veteran departures this offseason was defensive end Denico Autry (Texans), who led the Titans with 11.5 sacks, as well as cornerback CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (Cardinals). The latter led the club with two interceptions and eight passes defensed. The addition of former Chiefs’ cornerback L’Jarius Sneed should aid the secondary. However, there is still some talent out there that could be beneficial to new head coach Brian Callahan and his staff.
5 defensive players that the Titans should inquire about
5. ILB Zach Cunningham
New defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson and the team could certainly use a little more experience at inside linebacker. Granted, the Titans did sign Kenneth Murray away from the Los Angeles Chargers. The former first-round draft choice spent four years with the Bolts and topped 100 tackles in two seasons.
Seven-year veteran Zach Cunningham has made the rounds, suiting up for three different teams in seven campaigns. He spent 2023 with the Eagles, and finished third on the club with 85 tackles in 13 games. The second-round pick of the Texans in 2017 (Vanderbilt) had nine stops in the playoff loss to the Buccaneers.
4. DT Nick Williams
A year after allowing the fewest rushing yards per game in the league, the Titans slipped to 13th in the NFL in this department. In a division with the likes of Joe Mixon (Texans), Jonathan Taylor (Colts), and Travis Etienne (Jaguars), the Titans could certainly use some more experienced reinforcements up front.
The defensive line is led by Jeffery Simmons. The two-time Pro Bowler was limited to just 12 games this past season. Ran Carthon signed veteran Sebastian Joseph-Day (49ers) and used a second-round pick on University of Texas’ T’Vondre Sweat. Well-traveled Nick Williams would give the Titans another big body.
3. DL Chris Wormley
Defensive lineman Chris Wormley could play both inside and outside on Tennessee’s three-man front. Originally a third-round draft choice of the Baltimore Ravens in 2017, the former University of Michigan product spent three seasons with John Harbaugh’s club before being dealt to the rival Steelers in 2020.
His best campaign came in 2021, when he started a career-high 14 games and amassed personal best with 51 tackles and seven sacks. In 2023, he latched on with the Carolina Panthers, but was limited to only five games. The 30-year-old pro would give defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson more options on the line.
2. DE Yannick Ngakoue
He may be the most well-traveled defensive player in the league. Regardless of where he has landed, pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue has done a great job of chasing down opposing quarterbacks for six different franchises in eight years. There’s been 123 regular-season games and an impressive 69.0 sacks.
Granted, his best seasons came with the Jacksonville Jaguars. That club made him a third-round draft choice in 2016. His latest stop was a year ago in the Windy City, when he played and started 13 games and racked up 22 stops and four sacks. Tennessee would mark his third stop in the AFC South in his career.
1. FS Justin Simmons
It was pretty surprising when the Denver Broncos parted ways with the heady defensive back, albeit this was a cost-cutting move. Perhaps even more shocking is the fact that heady safety Justin Simmons has yet to latch on with another franchise. Perhaps he was biding his time to find the right fit, and the right price.
The eight-year pro brings a lot to the table, especially when it comes to finding his way to the football. Perhaps Simmons’ disappointing ranking via Pro Football Focus is an issue. There has been a steady decline in this regard, and his 67.9 grade (42nd in the NFL) was his lowest since his third season in 2018.
Still, he comes off his second Pro Bowl season, finishing with 70 tackles, three interceptions, eight passes defensed, one sack, a pair of forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. It marked the eighth time in as many NFL campaigns that Simmons picked off at least two passes. There’s a lot to be said about consistency. All told, he has picked off a total of 30 passes, recovered three fumbles, and totaled 4.5 sacks.
Simmons’ three interceptions in 2023 was half of the Titans’ NFL-low total this past season. Tennessee could use all the help it can get when it comes to improving on just 14 takeaways in 17 games this past season.