Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons is the best player in the NFL at his position. New head coach Robert Saleh is thrilled to be inheriting the All-Pro linemen. As the Titans enter free agency, one of the focuses is to surround Simmons with more talent.
The process of retooling the defensive line has already begun. The Titans traded nose tackle T'Vondre Sweat to the New York Jets in exchange for EDGE Jermaine Johnson II. Saleh previously coached Johnson in East Rutherford.
Expect the Titans to continue targeting defensive lineman in free agency. Borgonzi is equipped with roughly $92 million in cap space. With Borgonzi tasked with spending portions of that money to improve Saleh's defense, John Franklin-Myers is emerging as the ideal sidekick for Simmons on the defensive line.
Titans could pairJohn Franklin-Myers with Jeffery Simmons for dominant duo
The Titans have been consistently linked to Franklin-Myers in recent weeks. The current Denver Broncos defensive lineman used to play for Saleh and new Titans defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton with the Jets. His inside-outside versatility and well-balanced skill set against the pass and run would be greatly appreciated next to Simmons' dominance.
Johnson, the Titans' new EDGE, has been publicly recruiting Franklin-Myers to Tennessee. The two were teammates in East Rutherford under Saleh and Whitecotton. Even new Titans assistant defensive line coach Tanzel Smart played on those teams. The connections are endless.
A fourth-round pick out of Stephen F. Austin in 2018, Franklin-Myers has consistently improved throughout his underdog career. He registered a personal-best 7.5 sacks and 39 pressures while playing on a stacked Broncos defensive line this past season. That performance has set up Franklin-Myers for a really nice payday in NFL free agency.
The Titans appear set to part with several defensive lineman this offseason. After Sweat was traded, the likes of Arden Key, Jihad Ward, and Sebastian Joseph-Day are all on expiring contracts. The reimagining of the defensive line around Simmons continues.
Franklin-Myers is expected to be among the Titans' preferred targets in free agency. Simmons provides the defensive line with an excellent base to start with. Simmons deserves a sidekick who could help fully unlock this defense's potential, and Franklin-Myers should be that defender.