Tennessee Titans: 3 Free-Agent Fits for the Titans
We have reached a bit of a dead period during the NFL off-season. Alas, free agency will pick back up for teams once training camp begins later in July. For the Titans, their main focus during the final stage of the off-season will most likely be addressing depth. After the draft and the Julio Jones […]
We have reached a bit of a dead period during the NFL off-season. Alas, free agency will pick back up for teams once training camp begins later in July. For the Titans, their main focus during the final stage of the off-season will most likely be addressing depth. After the draft and the Julio Jones trade, Tennessee has filled many of the holes in the starting lineup on both sides of the ball.
Most of the names remaining in the free-agent pool aren't necessarily guys that you want to be jogging out there on the first snap of the regular season. Regardless, key role players are still available. According to Over The Cap, the Titans have around 8 million dollars of cap space to play with right now. That number could fluctuate with training camp cuts or small restructures.
They could use a couple – or even a handful – of the players out there. These are three of them that make a lot of sense for Tennessee.
K.J. Wright, Linebacker
The Titans could definitely use more depth at the linebacker position. They drafted LB Monty Rice in the third round of the NFL Draft this year, but they would probably prefer to see his role be mostly on Special Teams in year one, at least. Wright provides great veteran leadership and can still be productive at age 31.
The career-long Seahawk can also provide meaningful pass coverage from the box. Wright has 54 pass deflections over his ten seasons in Seattle. He also gives Tennessee a good insurance policy on LBs Rashaan Evans and Jayon Brown in the case of inconsistency or injury.
Jesse James, Tight End
Whoever signs James is not going to "wow" anyone with the addition. That being said, the former Steeler and Lion has been a serviceable and solid backup tight end. Tennessee could use that, and the market is thin outside of James and a couple of other older players. From 2016-2018 with Pittsburgh, James had at least 30 receptions and 300 receiving yards in every season.
The Wide Receiver room looks phenomenal for the Titans right now, but they need another somewhat impactful player at Tight End to go along with Anthony Firkser. There is a lot of excitement for "Firk" going into 2021, but he has never been a true TE1 before. Without a surprising trade for a bigger name, Jesse James or a similar talent is what will be in the cards for Jon Robinson.
Steven Nelson, Cornerback
Nelson may just be the hottest commodity in free agency once it starts rolling again in a few weeks. Multiple contending teams could use help at Cornerback. Nelson is still playing good ball and is only 28 years old currently. Over his last three seasons, he has seven interceptions. Don't forget he also played in Pittsburgh for the past two years. That is a system that asks a lot from its CBs, and Nelson was up to the task in most instances.
Tennessee has quite a few guys that are trying to prove themselves in the secondary, including their first-round pick from this year, Caleb Farley. In the case that one or a couple of them struggle, Nelson is a veteran presence that can help steer the ship.
There are plenty of other names that the Titans could look at in free agency to give them some depth for this upcoming season. Addressing the defensive line or the offensive line is another strong possibility. We'll have to see what they feel makes the most sense, but these three players could be in the cards.
Featured Image via USA TODAY-Sports
