Perfect solution for the Tennessee Titans after the Nicholas Petit-Frere suspension
By Will Lomas
3. Sign TE Marcedes Lewis, cut two tight ends
Regarded as one of the best blocking tight ends in recent NFL history, it is shocking that Marcedes Lewis isn't already on the Tennessee Titans roster.
Helping Daniel Brunskill at right tackle by giving him a tight end on his side of the field isn't necessary, but it would certainly make life easier. Whether that was as an extra blocker in the running game or someone to help neutralize speed rushers on passing downs, Lewis would be a welcome addition to this offense.
The best part about this is that he shouldn't cost very much against the cap. Over the last five years with the Green Bay Packers this is what his cap hit has looked like:
2018: $2.1 million
2019: $2.1 million
2020: $2.3 million
2021: $2.4 million
2022: $4.5 million
If the Tennessee Titans can sign him for $2.26 million or less, then they can create that space almost instantly. $2.26 million is how much cap space you can create by cutting Hassan Haskins, Trevon Wesco, and Kevin Rader.
The signing would make Wesco and Rader's roles irrelevant on offense because Lewis can do what they do better and more consistently. Hassan Haskins obviously has his own issues going on off the field and I can't imagine him being with the team unless he is fully cleared from that somehow.
Assuming that the Tennessee Titans are desperate for DeAndre Hopkins and they land him as well, then this is what the Tennessee Titans offense would look like for the first six weeks of the season (or maybe longer if all went well):
QB: Ryan Tannehill
RB: Derrick Henry
RB/WR: Tyjae Spears
WR: Treylon Burks
WR: DeAndre Hopkins
SWR: Kyle Philips
TE: Chig Okonkwo
TE: Marcedes Lewis
LT: Andre Dillard
LG: Peter Skoronski
C: Aaron Brewer
RG: Corey Levin
RT: Daniel Brunskill
That could actually be a very functional group for this offense with a great mix of first- or second-year players and veterans at every position group.
The more I think about this group, the more I believe that they could do well in this offense that believes in force-feeding Derrick Henry and then being efficient in the passing game around him.