When free agency gets underway next week, the Tennessee Titans will likely be looking to specifically address five positions: edge rusher, wide receiver, interior offensive line, safety and backup quarterback.

Edge rusher will be of special importance, with the retirement of Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan likely moving on from the Titans via free agency. Tennessee has promising young edge rusher Harold Landry on the roster, along with Jayon Brown who finished second on the team in sacks last season with six. But there's no doubt the Titans need a bit more experience from their pass rushers. Getting after the quarterback is one of the most important aspects of the game for a NFL team and I don't think the Titans want to rely solely on Landry and Brown.

Wide receiver is also a huge need for the Titans. Corey Davis looks like he's on his way to being a future Pro-Bowl caliber wide receiver, but he needs some help around him. Tajae Sharpe and Taywan Taylor are solid role players, but neither are primed to be No. 2 wide receivers in the NFL.

Decisions to be made

A lot of what the Titans do in free agency will depend on any roster cuts that are made. The Titans already decided to move on from safety Johnathan Cyprien, but that might not be the only player they cut ties with.

Tennessee could save $4.5 million by cutting center Ben Jones, who has a year left on his contract. They could also save $1.5 million by releasing quarterback Blaine Gabbert, which seems like a much more likely course of action.

Those decisions, whether they release those players or not, will determine how the Titans approach free agency.

With that in mind, here are a few players at each of the Titans' biggest positions of need that I think they could, or should, target.

Free Agent Options For The Titans —->>>>

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Edge Rusher/Outside Linebacker

Trey Flowers: If the Titans are looking to spend some cash in this area, then adding Trey Flowers would make a lot of sense. Flowers, who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, has averaged seven sacks a season over the last three years. Those aren't eye popping numbers, but it's consistent production. Flowers is widely viewed as the best free agent edge rusher on the market.

Justin Houston: One way the Titans can make a splash in free agency is to sign the recently released Justin Houston. The former Georgia Bulldog turned 30 in January, so he should still have plenty left in the tank. Houston, who is solid against the pass and against the run, hasn't played a full season since 2014 when he compiled 22 sacks. And he hasn't come close to replicating those numbers either. But he's still one of the top edge rushers in the NFL and shouldn't have any problem latching on with a team (as long as he demands aren't too crazy).

Shaquil Barrett: Barrett is a talented player who hasn't had a chance to shine in Denver because he's playing behind Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. However, Barrett has performed well when he's received an opportunity. He has 14 sacks over the last four years while starting only 15 games during that span.

Za'Darius Smith: Smith, who compiled 5.5 sacks last season without starting a game, makes sense for the Titans because defensive coordinator Dean Pees was a key reason why the former Kentucky Wildcat was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2015. We know that Tennessee, under Jon Robinson, values familiarity. Smith is certainly familiar to the Titans and not just because of the Pees connection. The Alabama native had three sacks in the Ravens' week six win against the Titans last season.

Eli Harold: If the Titans are looking to go cheap and add a player with some upside, then Eli Harold could be their guy. Harold had four sacks in 15 games for the Lions last season, but he was pushed out of the pass rushing rotation at times. At 25, however, Harold still has plenty of potential. He could thrive in a featured role and end up being one of the off-season's best bargains.

Preston Smith: Smith is coming off a bit of a down year, totaling only four sacks for the Washington Redskins last season. But twice in Smith's career he's compiled at least eight sacks. The former second round pick has a lot of upside and he's also good against the run. Smith is likely to command a contact in the $10 million to $13 million range.

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Wide Receiver

Golden Tate: Tate was traded from Detroit to Philadelphia last season and his production suffered in the city of brotherly love. Tate caught only 30 passes for 278 yards in his eight games with the Eagles. His 795 receiving yards last season was his lowest total since 2012 when he was with the Seahawks. I wouldn't be surprised if Tate's value took a small hit, but there's no doubt he's still one of the best free agent wide receivers available. He's a reliable target that would greatly benefit Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota.

Randall Cobb: Randall Cobb is a bit of a forgotten name among 2019 free agents. Of course, it's easy to understand why. The former Kentucky Wildcat has only had one great year in his NFL career (2014 when he caught 91 passes for 1,287 yards) and he was catching passes from Aaron Rodgers that season. However, if new Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith truly plans to keep last year's offensive system in place, then I think Cobb would be a good fit in Nashville. The East Tennessee native is good in space and would thrive in an offense where the goal is to get the ball out quickly.

Tyrell Williams: Williams isn't the flashiest 2019 free agent available, but he could make some sense for the Titans. He's a durable wide receiver (he hasn't missed a game over the last three seasons) who has a 1,000 yard season under his belt. Williams would also give Mariota a wide receiver who is capable of making "splash plays" (he was No. 7 in the NFL with 15.9 yards per reception in 2018).

Adam Humphries: Humphries is coming off a semi breakout season that saw him catch 76 passes for 816 yards and five touchdowns — all career highs. The South Carolina native just turned 26, so he still has plenty of upside. But other teams, perhaps the New England Patriots, will also see that upside, which would drive his price up.

John Brown: I'm not that enthused by the idea of John Brown to the Titans, mostly because he's failed to live up to the hype that surrounded him after the 2015 season. But Brown is a legitimate deep threat who has produced at a high level before.

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Interior Offensive Line

Matt Paradis (Center): Ben Jones still has a year left on his contract, but some competition at that spot wouldn't hurt the Titans. Plus, Jones played at left and right guard during the first part of his career in Houston, so he could easily switch positions. Paradis is a smart, athletic center who is really well rounded. He's excellent in the run game and he's excellent in the locker room. I can't see any down side to the Titans adding him to the roster.

John Sullivan (Center): Sullivan is five years older than Jones, but he's a better player. If the Titans were to sign Sullivan, who recently had his option declined by the Rams, I'd like to see them keep Jones at guard. Sullivan's been durable the last couple of seasons, but he's still a soon-to-be 34 year old offensive lineman. Despite his age, I think he still has a lot of value.

Rodger Saffold: Saffold is one of the top guards in free agency this off-season. I think the Rams will look to keep the talented left guard in town, but it's clear he wants to test the free agent market as well. With the offensive line market a bit thin, there will be plenty of suitors for Saffold. Perhaps the Ohio native would like to get closer to home? If that's the case, Nashville is a lot closer than Los Angeles.

Jamon Brown: Brown played under Matt LaFleur in 2017 with the Rams (he started all 16 games at right guard) so we know he'd be a good fit in the Titans' offensive scheme (again, assuming Arthur Smith keeps everything the same, which he's expected to). Brown turns 26 on March 15, so he's just now entering his prime.

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Safety

Kenny Vaccaro: I think the wisest move the Titans can make is to re-sign Vaccaro, who just turned 28. Vacarro played extremely well in place of Johnathan Cyprien last season. He also had the second highest graded season of his career (66.4 per Pro Football Focus) while missing only four tackles (21st best among 101 safeties).

Adrian Amos: Amos has quietly been one of the most solid safeties in the NFL over the last couple of seasons. According to Pro Football Focus, he has never missed more than 10 tackles in a season and he allowed only a 78.8 passer rating last season. Amos turns 26 in April.

Lamarcus Joyner: Joyner set a career high in tackles in 2018 with 79 while starting in 15 games. He's also missed only one tackle over the past two seasons. Joyner would give the Titans plenty of versatility, as he can player nickelback or safety.

Eric Weddle: Weddle is 34 and he's not good in man to man coverage. But he's still a talented player that could benefit the Titans' defense. Weddle played under Dean Pees in Baltimore for two seasons (2016-17). During those two years, Weddle had ten interceptions, which is tied for the most during any two year period in his career (he also had ten from 2011-12).

Update: Eric Weddle signed a two year deal with the Los Angeles Rams on Friday (3/8/19).

Tre Boston: Boston, who is excellent in coverage, is a free agent once again after signing a one year deal last off-season. The soon-to-be 27 year old tied a career high with 79 tackles last season. He also totaled three interceptions.

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Backup Quarterback

Ryan Tanneill: I think it's pretty clear at this point that Ryan Tannehill isn't a franchise quarterback. And he probably shouldn't be anything more than a spot starter. Is he talented? Sure, but he's not good enough that he should be competing against Tom Brady twice a year. That's why there's a great chance the Dolphins end up releasing Tannehill if they can't trade him (with his $26 million salary in 2019, a trade seems unlikely, but they can cut him and save $13 million). Tannehill would work well in Nashville as a backup to Mariota, who will almost certainly miss a game or two in 2019.

Ryan Fitzpatrick: Fitzmagic is good for a game or two, but beyond that, he probably shouldn't be counted on. But that's why he could be perfect for the Titans. If Mariota is forced from a game, or has to miss a game, Fitzpatrick would give Tennessee a great chance at winning. By now, I think most folks know that Fitzpatrick's hot streaks only last a couple of weeks, so I don't think there would be any sort of "quarterback controversy" if he performed well in relief of Mariota.

Tyrod Taylor: It's obvious by now that Tyrod Taylor shouldn't be a starter in the NFL. But he's still a good player. And I think I'd trust him to backup Mariota more than I trust Blaine Gabbert. Taylor is 23-21-1 in his career as a starter (on teams that were typically worse than the current state of the Titans).

Teddy Bridgewater: Bridgewater is a bit of a wildcard to me. I don't think he's ever going to get a chance to be a starter again and I'm not sure how much teams can count on him after tearing his ACL and dislocating his knee in 2016. But he's still only 26. Now that Bridgewater is nearly three years removed from his injury, perhaps he can return to his pre-injury form. In 2015, Bridgewater had the 12th best passer rating in the league when the pocket was clean.

*Note: Nick Foles wasn't included on this list because I think he will be looking for an opportunity to become a starter again. 

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