Who is the Tennessee Titans next target in free agency?
By Will Lomas
The Tennessee Titans have made some impressive moves in free agency to this point, but now it is time for everyone to take a breath and reevaluate what the market looks like and what the team needs moving forward.
Heading into this week I projected 10 starting roles on the offense and defense that needed to be addressed before the season started. After almost a week of working, Ran Carthon has fixed five of those needs:
Needs filled:
-C: Lloyd Cushenberry, 4 years/$50 million ($12.5 million AAV)
-LB: Kenneth Murray, 2 years/$18 million ($9 million AAV)
-CB1: Chidobe Awuzie, 3 years/$36 million ($12 million AAV)
-WR2: Calvin Ridley, 4 years/$92 million ($23 million AAV)
-WR (vertical threat/playmaker) Calvin Ridley, (he fills both roles)
Needs remaining:
-LT
-RT
-DT (1-tech)
-CB2
-Safety
The Tennessee Titans also re-signed Nick Folk and Morgan Cox who will start at long snapper and kicker respectively. That isn't the point of this article because I am focusing on the offense and defense, but it is important and I wanted to make note of that.
Additionally, he has also added quality depth signings like Tony Pollard at running back, Mason Rudolph at quarterback, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine at wide receiver, and Saahdiq Charles on the offensive line.
Ran Carthon made the media rounds today to talk about the moves the team has made, and to me that signals the end of the second wave of free agency. At this point, I think that the Tennessee Titans have made all of the big moves that they are going to make and they are letting free agency come to them.
Any moves made from here on out are going to be for players who seem like good value for what they add to this team, or they are players who could earn a role for the Titans but they aren't good enough to preclude the Titans from drafting someone to compete for the same job.
With that in mind, there are a few names that have either been connected to the Tennessee Titans this offseason, or that just make sense as potential fits.
Offensive tackle: Cam Fleming
After cutting Andre Dillard, the Tennessee Titans most experienced offensive tackles are Nicholas Petit-Frere (1,000+ snaps at tackle) and Dillon Radunz (650+ snaps at tackle). They need a proverbial adult in the room at the tackle position and Fleming has over 1,000 snaps at left tackle and nearly 3,000 snaps at right tackle in his career.
Fleming has been with the Denver Broncos for the last three years alongside new Tennessee Titans starting center Lloyd Cushenberry, and he has a relationship with Titans coach Justin Outten.
Offenisve tackle: Tyron Smith
I think Smith is looking for a one-year deal with a championship roster, but if he doesn't find that then the Tennessee Titans should snatch him up. He isn't going to play a full season for the Titans, but he is an instant starter for Tennessee and his former offensive line coach Bill Callahan.
Everyone knows that he is a Hall of Fame left tackle, and if the Titans pass on a tackle in the first round Smith could be a guy to hold down that position for a season. What most people don't know is that Smith has nearly 1,500 snaps at right tackle including starting six games at the position last year so he makes sense even if the Titans draft Joe Alt in the first round.
EDGE: Chase Young
The Tennessee Titans have their starting EDGEs in Harold Landry and Arden Key, but they could use more depth than just Rashad Weaver. Chase Young is scheduled to meet with the Titans on Monday.
Safeties: Justin Simmons and Marcus Maye
The Tennessee Titans were reportedly very interested in Simmons, but that interest cooled off once it became clear that he was asking for a big contract. There hasn't been any update on that situation since the Calvin Ridley signing, which might mean that the Titans aren't willing to give out another big contract.
Dennard Wilson coached Marcus Maye when they were together with the New York Jets, and the Titans have an interest in Maye. He has been a fringe starter type player since he and Wilson went their separate ways, so a cheap reunion makes sense for everyone.
Which one is the next Tennessee Titans signing?
If I had to pick one of the players on this list to sign, I would lean towards Marcus Maye. His connection with Wilson and the Titans need for a safety makes sense. However, I think that offensive tackle could be next since Tennessee officially announced the release of Andre Dillard.
Keep an eye on the Titans over the weekend, but the third wave of free agency is slower than the second wave, so these things tend to be a lot more drawn out.