Ever since Jamal Adams' contract details with the Tennessee Titans were revealed, it became increasingly clear that the team may not be done acquiring talent at the position. Paul Kuharsky is now reporting that the Titans have "been in contact" with free-agent safety Justin Simmons, and they've also "explored" adding Quandre Diggs.
General manager Ran Carthon should seriously consider signing Diggs, who was Adams' former teammate in Seattle.
Diggs was one of the first NFL players to react on social media to Adams signing with the Titans, and is undeniably following the fluid situation closely.
Yeah 33!!! 🤞🏾 https://t.co/M44yia4FyJ
— Nino (@qdiggs6) July 11, 2024
Like Adams, Diggs was released by the Seahawks earlier this offseason. Seattle created $11 million in financial flexibility by severing ties with him. Unlike Adams, the decision was purely financially driven as he was set to carry one of the largest cap charges ($21.3 million) among all safeties in the NFL this season.
Diggs was a high-level defender for the Seahawks over the previous four-plus seasons. He suited up for every contest across those four campaigns and earned three consecutive Pro Bowl nods in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Diggs is a consistent mainstay and was voted a two-time team captain in 2022 and 2023.
Diggs was still useful in coverage for the Seahawks last season. Kuharsky's report indicates the Titans could use Adams in a variety of roles, ranging from a big nickel, blitzing safety, and dime linebacker. That usage would be in line with Adams' skill set, and could create a pathway for a signing like Diggs (or Simmons) to be more of a traditional starting safety opposite Amani Hooker.
Pro Football Focus had Diggs playing a workhorse 680 snaps in coverage last season. The former Texas Longhorn was credited with allowing 20 receptions on 28 targets for just 247 yards and one touchdown. Those are fairly stingy numbers considering Diggs played more than 1,000 defensive snaps as a free safety.
Diggs accumulated a career-high 95 tackles last season. After totaling 17 interceptions from 2019 to 2022 (at least three every season), that number regressed to one takeaway in 2023. Interceptions often arrive in bunches, so that regression could be blind luck, or a warning sign of Diggs' advancing age.
The Titans still possess approximately $24.1 million in effective cap space, per Over The Cap. Veterans and rookies alike report to training camp on July 23rd. The next few days could prove critical if Carthon is legitimately considering signing Diggs or Simmons.