The Tennessee Titans made it clear that they are out on their chances to go anywhere meaningful during the 2024 season. They traded DeAndre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs early Wednesday morning, and just hours later, they sent Ernest Jones to the Seattle Seahawks. The Titans did get linebacker Jerome Baker back in the Jones trade, but it still does not change the intention of their actions.
General manager Ran Carthon was looking to gain draft capital in exchange for his most sensible trade assets, and keep in mind the trade deadline isn't until November 5. There is plenty of time for the Titans to make additional moves, and the question goes begging, who will be the next player to be dealt out of Nashville?
It should be noted that just because the Titans are active sellers right now does not mean that every player with value should be traded. You still need to have veteran presence, talent, and leadership on the team for an eventual turnaround to occur, and Carthon must strike the correct balance between acquiring draft capital and making sure the culture does not suffer.
If there is one player who fits that bill, it is Harold Landry.
Tennessee Titans likely can capitalize off of trade interest in Harold Landry
Landry is in his sixth official season in the NFL, his second since returning from a torn ACL that cost him the 2022 season. He turned 28 a few months ago and is in the third of a five-year contract he signed during the 2022 offseason. With the Titans at 1-6 following Sunday's blowout defeat to the Detroit Lions, now is the time you'd think about trading a player like Landry.
There are several EDGE-needy contenders who could show interest in Landry. Of all the players on the Titans, he is the one if whom teams call about, Carthon might want to think about it depending on the return.
People have also thrown around the idea of trading Jeffery Simmons, but that is a risky one as he is easily the best player on the Titans' defensive line, and one of the better defensive tackles in the NFL. Maybe even more concerning than that would be how the locker room would respond, as he is the fiercest leader on a team that lacks clear leadership right now.
It is way less likely that they move him, and the same can be said about most of the newer acquisitions such as Calvin Ridley. Ridley's contract makes it inopportune for other teams to acquire him.
Landry is not in the same boat, however, and while he is still a very good player, he is not the one who carries their defensive line. Landry's contract is fairly structured, and considering he's leading the Titans in sacks this year, he would likely garner some interest around the league.
Plus, while he is not an elite game-changer, he is one who noticeably improves your team if you have a weakness at EDGE. He has continued to play well since coming back from his injury, and he is one of those guys who does a little bit of everything on defense. Taking on a manageable contract for a player that good would be well worth the risk for win-now contenders.
Landry may not be in the Simmons boat, but trading him would come with significant risk as well. He is the only good player the Titans have at EDGE, and even though their main focus is on the future, it is never ideal to be that terrible at any position, especially a premium one.
And even though he is not a captain, Landry is one of those players on the Titans that provides veteran leadership. Once again, the lack of leadership among the players is only hurting them right now, and while losing him should not kill their locker room, it definitely would not help, to say the least.
There should be no sense of urgency to trade Landry. Carthon has already acquired two additional draft picks over the past few days and Landry has two full years remaining on his contract after this one. The offer would have to be outstanding, in the second-round territory.
A top 64 pick would be the bare minimum needed to get a deal done, and the Titans may even ask for a second selection to be included. It is very possible that the Titans could get that with how many teams could be lining up for Landry's services, so regardless of the outcome, they must remember his worth to the defense.