When the Tennessee Titans hired GM Mike Borgonzi, it was clear that this team needed a cultural overhaul. Last year, that included moves like trading Jarvis Brownlee Jr. and drafting Cam Ward, and this year Borgonzi continued the process by hiring Robert Saleh to be the new head coach.
Several times, Saleh has been asked about what he wants his team to look like, and his replies always include the phrase "fast and physical" somewhere in the description. Normally, that might be labeled as coachspeak, but Saleh's track record as a head coach shows he places a heavy emphasis on speed and physicality when building a roster.
Defensively, the Titans are fast and physical, even if they are still missing a few pieces that could take them to the next level. On offense, the addition of Wan'Dale Robinson and the retention of Calvin Ridley meet the "fast" requirement, but they won't be mistaken for physical any time soon.
Titans could redefine WR room with one final free agency signing
There is a free agent out there who would change that perception instantly, and that is wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who Saleh got to see up close when they were both with the San Francisco 49ers this past season.
Jennings is infamous for his physicality as a blocker and for making tough catches. The Titans' receiver room is currently built with plenty of Z and slot receivers (Ridley, Robinson, Chimere Dike, and Xavier Restrepo), but the only real X receiver is Elic Ayomanor.
Even in an era when the lines between receiver roles are blurred, the Titans are heavily skewed toward smaller, faster receivers. Adding Jennings would give the offense more physicality and versatility, and the team can certainly afford it. In case you missed it, even after all of the spending, the Titans still have more cap space than anyone else in the NFL by $10 million.
The Titans have leaned heavily on bringing in familiar faces, and Jennings fits that mold. Obviously, there is a connection to Saleh, but he also spent two years with new Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor in college at Tennessee. Speaking of the great state of Tennessee, both Taylor and Jennings are Tennessee natives, with Jennings playing his high school ball 30 minutes away from Nissan Stadium.
Everything about this move makes sense, from the homecoming to the role the Titans need to fill. Even if you don't think Jennings would be a superstar, he has been very consistent, does all the little things well, and would add a mean streak that the Titans desperately lack on offense.