The 2025 NFL Draft is over and the Tennessee Titans have their quarterback of the future in Cam Ward. The Ward pick was the expectation, so the surprise was more-so learning how the front office navigated the rest of the draft.
The Titans appear to have acquired a ton of talent throughout the draft, especially if you include the reported list of undrafted free agents. One of the team's most glaring needs was at wide receiver, where the Titans needed depth and starters.
They checked that box by landing three receivers in Chimere Dike, Elic Ayomanor, and Xavier Restrepo. You could also throw fourth-round tight end Gunnar Helm into that mix, since Helm led Texas in receptions in 2024 despite being surrounded by a star-studded cast of receivers.
The other major need was at EDGE. The team was already short-handed at the position before they cut Harold Landry, and with veterans Dre'Mont Jones, Arden Key and Lorenzo Carter all set to hit free agency at the end of this season, drafting developmental EDGE Femi Oladejo in the second round wasn't enough to turn a position of weakness into a strength.
Last year, the Titans exited the 2024 NFL Draft without sufficiently addressing receiver, and they quickly signed Tyler Boyd in free agency. This year, they added Tyler Lockett just prior to the draft. The Titans still possess more than $41 million in cap space, according to Over The Cap. We've identified two free-agent EDGEs that would be worth bringing in.
Matt Judon
Judon will turn 33 during the season, but he's appeared to possess some juice in his later years. He recorded 12.5 sacks at 29, and followed that up with 15.5 sacks the following campaign. Judon got hurt in 2023 after averaging a sack per game, but he bounced back decently enough with 5.5 sacks in 2024 with the maligned Atlanta Falcons defense.
Judon may be entering the "Calais Campbell" part of his career, where he is a mercenary on one-year contracts, but (like Campbell), Judon is a guy who generally receives praise from teammates and coaches. Adding him would improve the Titans pass rush for the 2024 season and allow Oladejo to have more time to grow and develop.
Za'Darius Smith
As a pass rusher, few players in the NFL are as consistent as Smith. Since turning 30, Smith has recorded 32 tackles for loss, 24.5 sacks, 10 batted passes, and 61 QB hits in three years. Long story short, he makes life very difficult for opposing signal callers, and he is someone you want on your side on 3rd-and-10.
Smith would have wrecking-ball potential for the Titans. The team should have some inside info, given that Chad Brinker was with the Green Bay Packers when they signed Smith, and throughout his entire tenure. If the Titans added the veteran pass rusher, it will be with detailed information on exactly how committed he is in the locker room.