Tennessee Titans fans got to see safety Kevin Byard play at an All-Pro level for years, but you don't need an elite safety to win in the NFL.
That was evident by the soft free agent market for safeties this offseason. After a week of free agency being officially open, most positions have almost been picked clean except the safety position.
Quality starters from last season like Justin Simmons, Julian Blackmon, Tashaun Gipson, Micah Hyde, and Jordan Poyer are all on the open market. While they aren't perfect, they are better than what is available at EDGE, linebacker, defensive tackle, etc.
Another starting caliber safety sitting on the market is Marcus Maye.
Not only do the Tennessee Titans have an interest in Maye, but they have a connection to Maye through new DC Dennard Wilson.
Is this the next Tennessee Titans signing?
Wilson was Maye's DB coach when they were both with the New York Jets, and Maye had the best seasons of his career working with Wilson in the Gregg Williams defense. So it makes sense that the two would have mutual interest in a reunion.
According to Adam Caplan, Wilson is pulling for the team to sign Maye:
Word is DBs coach Wilson is very interested in Maye.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 20, 2024
Still a lot of veteran safeties remaining in the free agent market. https://t.co/hiMz3vwyMG
Safety is absolutely a need that the Tennessee Titans should solve in free agency. The Titans have plenty of cap space, but they only have two selections in the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Signing someone like Maye or Simmons to a two-year deal makes so much sense and it would narrow the Tennessee Titans big needs down to just cornerback, left tackle, and linebacker before the draft.
Remember, the Tennessee Titans don't need to look for elite talent at the safety position, they just need someone who knows how to operate in this defense. In that way, Maye might be a better fit for the 2024 Titans than Kevin Byard because Byard doesn't have the same kind of experience in an aggressive scheme like the Titans are about to run his year.
Keep an eye on the safety market over the next few days, especially Marcus Maye who seems like an ideal fit for the Tennessee Titans.