Chad Brinker and Mike Borgonzi plan to build the Tennessee Titans using the method they learned from their previous experiences. That draft-and-develop strategy sounds great, but it can cause some discomfort during free agency.
On Monday, the Titans made one big move with some small ones sprinkled in, but with so much money and so many holes, fans wanted to see more. For reference, they had 12 positions they needed to address, and they only signed three players.
As free agency has progressed, a plan has slowly taken shape, and it seems like we have a better idea of what the Titans are prioritizing this offseason. Here is where things stand as of Thursday afternoon:
1. Right Tackle: Signed Dan Moore Jr. to play left tackle, 4 years/$82 million
2. EDGE: Signed Dre'Mont Jones, 1 year/$10 million
3. Quarterback: Brandon Allen (backup)
4. Wide Receiver (starter):
5. Linebacker: Signed Cody Barton, 3 years/$21 million
6. Safety: Xavier Woods 2 years/$10 million
7. Right guard: Kevin Zeitler 1 year/$9 million
8. WR (depth): Van Jefferson, 1 year/$2.5 million
9. Defensive line (depth): Re-signed Sebastian Joseph-Day, 1 year/$4 million
10. Kicker:
11. Punter: Johnny Hekker, 1 year/$2.5 million
12. Return specialist:
There are two things to note. First, positions that aren't in bold are positions where the Titans have signed players, but those players don't adequately fill the need. Second, this offseason, the plan was to spend big money on players who are long-term answers for the team, but use short contracts as band-aids for the positions they believe they can upgrade through the draft-and-develop plan.
The good news is that the Titans have done a decent job patching some holes in their roster. Aanother linebacker may be required because of the Kenneth Murray trade, but it seems like the team expects either James Williams, Otis Reese, or Cedric Gray to win that job in training camp.
Despite solid additions like Zeitler and Woods, the Titans are quickly running out of time to address some of the roster's other critical needs.
Assuming that the plan is to draft Cam Ward with the first pick, the Titans will be able to address that need in April. Even giving them the benefit of the doubt, the front office still needs multiple EDGEs and wide receivers to field a competent football team.
Expect more moves to arrive over the next few weeks, but the Titans would probably earn a low-level grade if this was all they did before the NFL draft. Looking at it critically, the Titans have only signed one player who can be viewed as a "solution" beyond 2025 (Moore). If the team is going to use the first selection to take Ward, then they are putting themselves in a position where they will need to rely on Day 3 picks by 2026.
The front office is putting a lot of pressure on themselves to nail the draft next month.