The Tennessee Titans' offensive line has been one of the worst position groups in the NFL this season, and I'm not just limiting that comparison to other offensive lines. However, most of the 2023 offensive line isn't getting replaced this offseason.
This offseason, no one will have more cap space than the Tennessee Titans and they are trending toward a very high pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Putting two and two together, it seems like the Tennessee Titans are destined to make some big moves for some offensive linemen this offseason right? Well, yes and no.
See the thing is, we already know 60% of the Tennessee Titans offensive line next season.
First is Peter Skoronski, and while he hasn't been an All-Pro guard or anything, Mike Vrabel and company have dug their heels in and they are so insistent on him having such an elite future at guard that they haven't entertained the idea of even trying him at left tackle.
Whether that is right or wrong, it tells you that the starter at left guard is written in pen.
Similarly, Mike Vrabel has gone to bat for Aaron Brewer over and over again over the last 18 months and it is unfathomable to think that Vrabel would suddenly move away from Brewer. The good news is that Brewer has been an average to above-average center this season, so fans aren't expecting them to attempt to upgrade in the middle of the line.
Surprisingly (or unsurprisingly if you have been reading our articles here since the offseason), the best starter on the offensive line has been Daniel Brunskill. Whether you are looking at PFF or watching the tape, Brunskill has been an above-average interior offensive lineman all season long.
Next year he will be on the second year of his two-year deal, and he is only costing the Tennessee Titans $3.4 million. Not only is he going to start next year, but the Titans should be actively trying to extend him.
That means that there are really only two offensive line positions up for grabs.
Where the Tennessee Titans are going to focus their attention this offseason
First is the right tackle spot where Chris Hubbard has been starting for most of this season. Hubbard is fine, but he will be 33 next season and the Tennessee Titans would have to give him a new contract. If they are already in the market for a right tackle, they should shoot higher than Hubbard who could be a great swing guy to have on the bench.
Whoever they bring in will be someone who is going to compete with Nicholas Petit-Frere for the job in training camp, but NPF's stock has fallen off of a cliff over the last three months, so it should be an easy battle to win for the money that the Tennessee Titans should be able to spend this offseason.
Then there is the elephant in the room. That is the left tackle position currently occupied by Andre Dillard.
Dillard is a special kind of nightmare for the Tennessee Titans because Titans fans watched the worst left tackle in the NFL last year when they trotted out Dennis Daley. After Jon Robinson was fired, Mike Vrabel was given even more power over personnel decisions than he already had, and all he had to do was find a left tackle who wasn't the worst offensive tackle in the league.
With that softball lobbed over home plate, what did Mike Vrabel do? Well, he gave Andre Dillard a 3-year/$29 million deal...only for him to be worse than Dennis Daley.
Seeing Vrabel swing hard and absolutely whiff should send a shudder down the spines of Tennessee Titans fans. If that was his big free agency swing last year, is he going to be able to do better just because he has more money to spend?
It is a valid question, and Tennessee Titans fans should be very nervous to see what happens. However, since the team has been so bad this season, it looks like they might luck into an absolute no-brainer in the draft.
If Marvin Harrison Jr. is off the board when they pick, then they should have the names of Notre Dame's Joe Alt and Penn State's Ola Fashanu already on a draft card ready to run to the podium if either is available. Those two are so talented that it takes the talent evaluation part out of the equation, which should put fans at ease.
Admittedly, we are a long way from free agency and there are a lot of things that could happen. However, based on all of the information we have right now, Tennessee Titans fans shouldn't expect quantity on the offensive line but they can pray for quality additions at two crucial positions.