Remaining free agent options for the Tennessee Titans at safety
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans have made some noise through the first week of NFL free agency. The team has made a handful of additions to positions of need headlined by wide receiver Calvin Ridley, center Lloyd Cushenberry, cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, and running back Tony Pollard. But the Titans still have holes and should continue adding. […]
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans have made some noise through the first week of NFL free agency.
The team has made a handful of additions to positions of need headlined by wide receiver Calvin Ridley, center Lloyd Cushenberry, cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, and running back Tony Pollard. But the Titans still have holes and should continue adding.
One of those positions is free safety. Tennessee needs a safety to compliment Amani Hooker and fill the void Kevin Byard left behind when he was traded. Here are some of the top remaining free agent safeties available.
Justin Simmons
Justin Simmons is a two-time Pro Bowl safety that has a nose for the football. With the Denver Broncos from 2016-2023, Simmons totaled 30 interceptions and 604 tackles. The 30-year-old safety has had three or more interceptions in six consecutive seasons.
The Titans were linked to Simmons last week during the first few days of free agency. According to Diana Russini, Tennessee targeted C.J. Gardner-Johnson and pivoted to Simmons when Gardner-Johnson signed back with the Eagles.
A veteran that can create turnovers is exactly what the Titans defense is currently missing. I'd love to see this pairing with Amani Hooker, but Simmons has already had interest from other teams.
Marcus Maye
Another player the Titans were directly connected to is 31-year-old safety Marcus Maye, who they scheduled a free agent visit with.
Maye played in seven games with the New Orleans Saints in 2023, recording two interceptions and 37 tackles. The talent is there with Maye, but he's nowhere near as reliable as Simmons has been.
Maye has played a total of 23 games over the last three seasons. In 2021, his season was cut short due to a torn achilles. In 2023, he was suspended for three games due to a violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy and was later placed on Injured Reserve with a should injury.
Given that history this is probably a buy low option for the Titans, but one it's one that I could get behind. Maye would not have been my first choice, but he'd be starting caliber for a defense that is still ridiculously thin in the secondary.
Other free agents available
Julian Blackmon, Age 25
2023 Stats: 15 GP, 15 GS, 4 INT, 88 tackles
Eddie Jackson, Age 30
2023 Stats: 12 GP, 12 GS, 1 INT, 37 tackles
Quandre Diggs, Age 31
2023 Stats: 17 GP, 17 GS, 1 INT, 95 tackles
Tracy Walker, Age 29
2023 Stats: 17 GP, 6 GS, 1 forced fumble, 59 tackles
Adrian Amos, Age 30
2023 Stats: 16 GP, 3 GS, 28 tackles
Titans fill defensive hole with latest free agent signing
Titans have made essential addition to defense.
