Titans veteran named as top free agent for 2023
There is still plenty of work left to do in the 2022 regular season and beyond for the Tennessee Titans. That being said, there will be an abundance of storylines heading into the off-season for the two-toned blue. One Titan is already garnering significant attention as the season winds down. Linebacker David Long Jr. was […]
There is still plenty of work left to do in the 2022 regular season and beyond for the Tennessee Titans. That being said, there will be an abundance of storylines heading into the off-season for the two-toned blue.
One Titan is already garnering significant attention as the season winds down. Linebacker David Long Jr. was named as a top free agent for 2023 in a recent article from Pro Football Focus.
Long was tabbed as PFF’s 14th-ranked free agent for the upcoming offseason. Not only has he developed nicely in the run game, but his abilities in pass coverage have evolved as well.
Authored by PFF’s Brad Spielberger, Long’s excerpt reads as follows:
“The Titans ask a lot of their off-ball linebackers, and Long can do it all. His 90.3 run-defense grade so far in 2022 is second-best at the position, with his 12 tackles for loss or no gain tied for the second-most. Long plays a downhill, attacking brand of football that helps him blow up a lot of plays but also makes him particularly susceptible to over-committing on play-action passes and missing tackles when he takes a poor pursuit angle. Nevertheless, he is clearly an ascending young player contributing immensely to Tennessee’s defense that currently ranks top five in expected points added per rush allowed on the season.”
“The 2022 season is Long’s first as a full-time starter at middle linebacker, but he’s made the most of opportunities in the past. Over the past three seasons, his 19.7% pass-rush win rate and 23.5% pressure rate are both the third-best marks among off-ball linebackers with at least 100 pass-rush snaps over the span.”
Click here to view PFF's complete list of top free agents for 2023.
As far as the market goes for Long, Spotrac estimates his average annual value to be just south of the $5-million mark. By no means does re-signing Long break the bank, but the Titans could opt to search for a younger/cheaper option via the draft.
When healthy, Long makes a difference in the middle of the Titans’ defense. In his first year as a full-time starter, the Titans are just beginning to see what Long’s ceiling truly looks like.
Though he’s struggled to stay healthy over his last two seasons, letting Long walk could come back to haunt the Titans. In this particular case, the risk far outweighs the reward if the Titans look to the draft for his replacement.
Featured image via Eric Hartline – USA TODAY Sports
