With the Tennessee Titans releasing veteran Ben Jones on Friday, you can add center to the laundry list of needs for Tennessee this offseason.

Tennessee's offensive line was already an issue. In 2022, the Titans allowed the fifth most sacks (49), and were the third most penalized offensive line, being flagged for 23 false starts and 19 holding penalties. 

Now, with Jones out of the picture, the Titans could be looking to replace up to four starters up front before next season. So, who could Tennessee be planning on taking over at center?

It's hard to imagine the Titans are planing on adding a veteran in free agency. Tennessee is only saving $3.7 million against the 2023 cap, and if the plan was to roll with an older veteran to hold things down, why not just keep Jones who you both know and love?

For me, releasing Jones is a sign that the Titans are wanting to get younger up front and are hoping to fill the hole either in the NFL Draft or with in-house options. That being said, here are four candidates to replace Ben Jones as the Tennessee Titans' center in 2023.

1. COREY LEVIN

While not a long-term solution at the position, re-signing OL Corey Levin is always an option if the Titans are looking for a serviceable starting center.

Levin played every snap at center in the final three games of the 2022 season for Tennessee after a concussion put Jones out for the season. Levin was the successor to Jones back then, and after playing well during his opportunity, he may be the successor now.

While Levin is an unrestricted free agent, the Titans should be able to bring him back at an affordable price and keep a majority of their salary cap savings from cutting ties with Jones.

Mike Vrabel tends to fall back on what he knows best in a time of need. If the opportunity to get a well-developed, young center does not present itself, it's entirely possible the Titans turn to Levin to offer them some consistency for a season.

2. AARON BREWER

Aaron Brewer is currently a restricted free agent, but he will more than likely return to Tennessee as the starting left guard in 2023…at least for now.

Even though he played 99.61 percent of Tennessee's offensive snaps in 2022 as the Titans' left guard, there are still major concerns about Brewers' size and questions about whether or not he would be better suited as a center at the NFL level.

If the Titans find a better option for left guard this offseason, sliding Brewer over to his natural position is a real possibility.

3. JOHN MICHAEL SCHMITZ

The road to the NFL has been a long one for John Michael Schmitz. Schmitz was with the Minnesota Golden Gophers program for six years before finally declaring for the NFL Draft this coming April. 

Schmitz has played in 57 collegiate games, most of them coming at center, and his hard work was finally rewarded with first-team Associated Press All-American and all-conference honors for his play in 2022.

Schmitz is experienced, consistent, and physical. He is the top pure center in the draft for most scouts, and ranked the second best interior offensive lineman overall by Pro Football Focus.

At 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds, Schmitz is a bit larger than most NFL centers, but even with less athleticism, he has had no trouble getting into outside zone schemes in the past. According to PFF, 207 of his 465 run-blocking snaps last season were outside-zone runs, and he earned a 95.7 run-blocking grade on those plays.

It's hard to say if he'll be available for the Titans on day two of the draft, but if Tennessee has an opportunity to grab him, he'd be an instant starter and everything the Titans are looking for in a Jones replacement.

4. STEVE AVILA

The Titans are one of a few teams that have already engaged in extensive meetings with Steve Avila, one of the top interior offensive linemen in the upcoming draft class.

Avila earned first-team All-Big 12 honors for the TCU Horned Frogs after starting 11 games at center for them in 2021 only to transition back to left guard for TCU's storybook season in 2022 and allow 8 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and no sacks.

At 6-foot-4 and 332 pounds, Avila has the necessary size and strength to handle bull rushes in pass-pro and excellent vertical speed. He can get into the second level in the run game and could be an immediate starter as an inside power run blocker.

He really fits what the Titans are trying to do with Derrick Henry in the backfield.

Avila will likely come off the board on day two of the draft, and while many consider him a top guard prospect, his versatility should make him attractive to a team in need of any interior help. Perhaps the Titans see him as their next center.

Image via George Walker IV / Tennessean.com-USA TODAY NETWORK