Five biggest remaining needs for Tennessee Titans in free agency

NASHVILLE — We are now two days into NFL free agency and players have been flying off the board. The Tennessee Titans have already agreed to contracts with five different players including RB Tony Pollard, CB Chidobe Awuzie, and C Lloyd Cushenberry.  With the new league year set to begin on Wednesday afternoon, it's a good time to […]

Sam Phalen
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Tennessee Titans General Manager Ran Carthon fields questions related to the firing of longtime Head Coach Mike Vrabel at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024 Denny Simmons / The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK
Denny Simmons / The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK

NASHVILLE — We are now two days into NFL free agency and players have been flying off the board. The Tennessee Titans have already agreed to contracts with five different players including RB Tony Pollard, CB Chidobe Awuzie, and C Lloyd Cushenberry. 

With the new league year set to begin on Wednesday afternoon, it's a good time to reevaluate where the Titans stand and what roster holes still need to be filled.

In no particular order, here's what I believe are Tennessee's five biggest remaining needs in free agency.

1. Backup quarterback

This is a no-brainer. Titans GM Ran Carthon made it clear at the NFL Scouting Combine that Tennessee would be adding a third quarterback to their roster in either free agency or the draft. But from what Brian Callahan said while describing his ideal backup quarterback, I think a veteran free agent is far more likely.

The Titans need an insurance plan behind Will Levis. I don't believe there is much confidence within the organization or fanbase that Malik Willis can be that.

A lot of quarterbacks have already signed with new teams leaving the Titans with limited options, but Joe Flacco, Jimmy Garoppolo, Kyle Allen, and Mason Rudolph are all players to watch. I'd be surprised if this free agent class passed by without the Titans adding a quarterback.

2. Inside linebacker

Azeez Al-Shaair signed a free agent contract with the division rival Houston Texans, leaving the Titans even thinner at linebacker than they already were. Tennessee has since signed former first-round draft pick Kenneth Murray to a two-year deal (which I'm not crazy about), but that's not going to solve the problem.

After Murray, the Titans depth chart at inside linebacker is currently led by Otis Reese and Jack Gibbens. They need to find a starter in free agency, preferably one that's even better than Murray.

Tennessee was linked to former Miami Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker recently, who would get the job done.

3. Safety

The Titans had reported interest in C.J. Gardner-Johnson before he returned to the Philadelphia Eagles on a three-year contract. Now, Tennessee is shifting the attention to former Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons, per Dianna Russini.

Simmons made the Pro Bowl in 2023 and has recorded three or more interceptions in each of the last six seasons. He is extremely consistent and durable and would be the perfect defensive addition for the Titans.

Tennessee needs to find a dancing partner for Amani Hooker in a secondary that lacks both experience and depth. Given the number of talented safeties on the free agent market, I'd expect the Titans to be in the mix for an addition here.

4. Defensive line depth

Adding to the defensive line may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about ways the Titans need to improve this offseason. Honestly…it may not be one of the first six or seven things you think of. But with Denico Autry leaving for the Houston Texans, Tennessee needs to be players in the defensive line free agent market.

Behind Jeffery Simmons, Harold Landry III, and Arden Key, the Titans defensive line depth is just not sufficient in any way.

There is an argument to be made that wide receiver, for example, is better off solved in the 2024 NFL Draft than it is in free agency. The same thing cannot be said about the defensive line. 

5. Cornerback

The Titans have already signed former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Chidobe Awuzie to a three-year, $36 million deal. That acquisition gets a full endorsement from me. Awuzie is a good compliment to Roger McCreary and will be a starting perimeter corner with the Titans.

But let's not forget that both Kristian Fulton and Sean Murphy-Bunting were free agents this offseason. SMB has already agreed to a deal with the Arizona Cardinals and I'm not expecting Fulton to be back with the Titans. That leaves another vacancy on the perimeter and a need for a starting cornerback.

Tennessee is one of the teams rumored to have interest in trading for L'Jarius Sneed, but not having a third-round pick in the upcoming draft complicates those negotiations. It also will make it difficult for the Titans to fully address this need in the draft. The Titans may not take a cornerback until the fourth or fifth round.

Adding another free agent corner couldn't hurt, even if it's not at the top of the market.

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