Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon did an outstanding job addressing some major needs this offseason. Wide receiver and cornerback were two obvious positions of weakness. Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, L'Jarius Sneed, and Chido Awuzie were acquired at those positions alone.
The offensive line was also in obvious need of revamping. First-round pick J.C. Latham and free-agent center Lloyd Cushenberry were among the upgrades. The final outcome is four new projected starters in Week 1 compared to last season's debut game.
The 2025 offseason is still months away, but it's easy to identify some potential positions of need. An EDGE rusher opposite Harold Landry may be required. Right tackle, safety, off-ball linebacker, and wide receiver also project as needs.
With those positional needs in mind, we've identified three 2025 NFL Draft prospects the Titans should be monitoring closely this season.
James Pearce. Jr | EDGE | Tennessee
EDGE is an obvious long-term need after GM Ran Carthon failed to replace Denico Autry in free agency. The Titans will rely on situational rusher Arden Key to play a larger role opposite Harold Landry this season. Rashad Weaver and Jaylen Harrell don't exactly make for a strong group of rotational pass rushers behind the starters.
James Pearce Jr. tape did not disappoint pic.twitter.com/iW281W4XnI
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) April 29, 2024
Carthon and his scouts don't have to travel far to watch a dominant pass rusher. Tennessee Volunteers EDGE James Pearce Jr. is a heat-seeking missile. Though listed at a slightly undersized 242 pounds, Pearce Jr. possesses legit burst off the edge with dominant length, traits that led to him recording 10 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss last season.
Luther Burden III | WR | Missouri
The Titans are extremely well-stocked at the receiver position with DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, and Tyler Boyd in the fold for the 2024 campaign. It may be a significantly different outlook come next offseason. Both Hopkins and Boyd are effectively playing out the season on one-year contracts at age 32 and 30 respectively.
Ridley is the lone sure-thing on the Titans' roster for 2025 and beyond. Head coach Brian Callahan's offense places significant emphasis on the passing game. His No. 1 task is to develop Will Levis this offseason, and if successful, they'll want to build long-term consistency. Getting younger and more dynamic at receiver next offseason is a necessity.
Missouri's Luther Burden III is a dominant receiver that totaled 86 receptions for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns last season. He specializes in creating mismatches in isolated situations. Primarily lining up in the slot for the Tigers, Burden III would be an excellent replacement for Boyd.
Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
The Titans have largely neglected the safety position this offseason. Three players that logged significant snaps for them at the position last season are no longer on the roster (Kevin Byard, Terrell Edmunds, K'Von Wallace). GM Ran Carthon may still sign a free-agent safety like Justin Simmons or Jamal Adams to play opposite Amani Hooker, but whoever is signed (if anyone at all) will be a short-term solution.
This INT by Malaki Starks 😱😱 pic.twitter.com/xwO02oM61K
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) September 3, 2022
Georgia's Malaki Starks has been among the nation’s top defensive playmakers since his true freshman season in 2022. The Jefferson, Georgia native has accumulated five interceptions and 14 pass breakups across his first two campaigns of college football. Starks is a legitimate center-fielder with enough versatility to play all over the field.