Titans draft implications of the Calvin Ridley and L'Jarius Sneed signings
Tennessee still has plenty of needs, just less dire ones.
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans needed wide receiver and secondary help this offseason. Agreeing to terms on a four-year, $92 million contract with receiver Calvin Ridley and trading for two-time Super Bowl champion corner L'Jarius Sneed gives both sides of the ball a huge boost.
Tennessee's roster still needs an influx of skill talent in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Ridley and Sneed to lessen the urgency at two red-flag positions on the Titans roster. Receiver DeAndre Hopkins was a godsend for rookie quarterback Will Levis in 2023 to the tune of 75 receptions for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns. The 31-year old was the lone bright spot for a group that wheezed its way to 17.9 points per game.
Finding additional playmakers for Levis this offseason was critical, and remains so even with Ridley on the roster.
Bringing in a versatile, proven player like the former Jacksonville Jaguar immediately helps Levis, Hopkins and the rest of Tennessee's returning starters. Drafting a weapon at No. 7 overall, if general manager Carthon and coach Brian Callahan felt like the right one was there, still has value. Ridley makes the situation less dire.
"I've always felt like today's offenses, I think you still have to protect the quarterback," Callahan said on 104.5 The Zone at last month's scouting combine. "But, to score points, you have to have guys who can score points. I've always felt that. I've always believed that. It doesn't mean that we're just automatically going to take a receiver. Philosophically, the more talented receivers that you have, the better chance you have to score points."
Pieces are also needed at every level of the Titans defense.
Swapping a 2024 seventh-round pick and sending a 2025 third-round choice to the Kansas City Chiefs for Sneed gives Carthon as good a starting corner trio as any in the NFL. Tennessee signed Chidobe Awuzie to a three-year deal worth $36 million this month before giving Sneed a contract reported to be four-years, $76.4 million after the trade terms were finalized. Carthon has yet to replace off-ball linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, edge rusher Denico Autry or safety Kevin Byard.
Sneed gives the Titans a legitimate lockdown corner to take some of the burden off of Awuize and starting nickel Roger McCreary.
Adding starters and depth to the Titans offensive line unit is still April's biggest priority. Carthon signed veterans Lloyd Cushenberry and Saahdiq Charles, but Tennessee still has no clear answer at either tackle position. With seven picks, including No. 7 overall, Carthon will continue to address offensive line room.
Receiver and corner could still use depth, but Carthon's solid work in the first wave of free agency has made the Titans' path forward much clearer.
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Titans fans should not jump to conclusions about the No. 7 overall NFL Draft pick despite rumblings
INDIANAPOLIS — The Tennessee Titans have the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. A franchise that has not selected that high in the order since taking wide receiver Corey Davis at No. 5 in 2017 is in desperate need of a talent infusion. Whether the choice will be between a wide receiver […]
Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.
