Three free agent targets for the Tennessee Titans

Previewing three players the Tennessee Titans should make priority targets when NFL free agency opens next week.

Add as preferred source on Google

With just hours until the NFL free agency legal tampering period begins, it's time to take a look at which players the Tennessee Titans should have their eyes on. 

Tennessee has quite a few needs this offseason. If Mike Vrabel and Ran Carthon are hoping to put together a more competitive team in 2023, they will undoubtedly need to address the offensive line, secondary, and wide receiver room among other things during free agency and the draft.

The Titans need turnover. There's no avoiding that. That's why Taylor Lewan, Robert Woods, Bud Dupree, Zach Cunningham, Randy Bullock, and Ben Jones have all already been let go. That's why the Titans are not ruling out moving on from Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry yet.

Whether in rebuild mode or contender mode, Tennessee needs to streamline their operations, getting younger, cheaper, healthier, and more sustainable. 

So which players fit the bill for what the Titans will be looking for in free agency and who should they make a priority? Here's a look at three free agent targets that I believe should be high up on the list for the Titans this offseason.

1. Orlando Brown, LT

Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (57) after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Titans' most obvious need for 2023 is help on the offensive line. Ben Jones and Taylor Lewan have both been released and Nate Davis is an unrestricted free agent. Tennessee will need to add a minimum of three offensive line starters in the coming months.

Orlando Brown Jr. would be a good place to start.

Brown is easily the best left tackle on the open market heading into free agency, and the payday he gets will likely reflect that. Entering his age 27 season, Brown has been named to three Pro Bowls, won a Super Bowl, and been consistently healthy and impactful.

In each of his two years with Kansas City, Brown played over 1,100 offensive snaps. In 2019 and 2020 in Baltimore, Brown played on every single offensive snap, being one of very few constants in the Ravens' offense.

While he is expected to cost premium dollar on the open market, signing Brown would give Tennessee much needed stability at left tackle and completely reshape the offensive line. Brown would look really good across from Nicholas Petit-Frere for years to come, and that may be worth the rich price tag.

Spotrac's Projected Contract: 5 YEARS/$112,146,565

2. Parris Campbell, WR

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Parris Campbell (1) celebrates his touchdown scored against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Titans need to add weapons to their wide receiver room, and more specifically, they need to add more speed to the group.

"There is a degree of physicality that is required in this game at every level. Be fundamentally sound, play with technique, but we have got to get faster. We have to be a faster football team. Rarely are we the fastest team out there," said head coach Mike Vrabel when asked about complimenting Treylon Burks with other wide receivers this offseason.

Now, a big problem for Tennessee is the lack of premium wide receiver talent on the open market. Adam Thielen, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Jakobi Meyers highlight the free agent class and will all likely get overpaid because of that. 

If teams want to find a number one, they will have to take their chances in the NFL Draft or follow the Chicago Bears' strategy of acquiring one in a trade. Tennessee may not be able to get a proven stud at wide receiver this offseason, but they can always add complimentary pieces that have the skillset Vrabel is looking for. 

Former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Parris Campbell could be a good option. Campbell had a breakout season in 2022, hauling in 63 catches for 623 receiving yards. Campbell was also clocked as the fastest ball carrier in the NFL during the entire 2022 season, running 22.11 miles per hour.

According to Next Gen Stats, only six wide receivers in the NFL got more average separation than Campbell did in 2022. His speed also makes him a threat after the catch.

Campbell could slide right into Tennessee's offense and have a large impact for a really affordable salary, and he'd ultimately be great for the development of Burks.

Spotrac's Projected Contract: 1 YEAR/$2,528,427

3. Cameron Sutton, CB

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton (20) reacts to a defensive play against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Former Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Cameron Sutton could bring some stability and depth to the Titans' secondary in 2023.

Sutton has been a regular defensive starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers over the last two seasons after spending his first four NFL seasons as a rotational piece in the Steel City. In his two years as a starter, Sutton snagged five interceptions, defended 25 passes, and made 91 tackles.

The Titans have Roger McCreary and Kristian Fulton as their current starting cornerbacks, but very little beyond those two. Fulton has had recurring soft tissue injuries that have caused him to miss some time, and when he's not out there, things can get a bit shaky.

McCreary is good, but still very young and inexperienced. He's also been rotated around and never had consistent opportunity at one specific position in the Titans' defense. Tre Avery surprised many with his play in 2022 after signing as an undrafted rookie of Rutgers. Still, Avery has a lot to prove before he can be confidently viewed as an NFL starter. 

Then there's 2021 first round pick Caleb Farley, who had another really tough season in 2022 that finished with a season-ending back surgery. Farley is remarkably talented, but his injury history and inconsistent play leaves questions about if he'll even be on the Titans' roster come September.

The point is, the Titans could use another veteran in the secondary, and Sutton could play on the outside opposite of Fulton while McCreary starts in the slot. Defensive back is not being talked about enough as a real need for Tennessee this offseason, but I wouldn't be shocked at all if the Titans wanted to add an additional piece there.

Spotrac's Projected Contract: 3 YEARS/$22,914,926

Feature Image via Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports