Seven free agent targets that have connections to the Tennessee Titans new coaching staff
NASHVILLE — When the new NFL league year opens next week and free agents being signing with teams, Tennessee Titans fans should expect their team to make additions with connections to the organization. The Titans prioritize existing relationships and familiarity. Brian Callahan hired an entire coaching staff that is connected to one another and somehow […]
NASHVILLE — When the new NFL league year opens next week and free agents being signing with teams, Tennessee Titans fans should expect their team to make additions with connections to the organization.
The Titans prioritize existing relationships and familiarity. Brian Callahan hired an entire coaching staff that is connected to one another and somehow intertwined. GM Ran Carthon signed a free agent class last year that consisted mostly of players he knew well from previous stops.
DL Arden Key, LB Azeez Al-Shaair, and OL Daniel Brunskill all knew Carthon from San Francisco prior to signing with the Titans in free agency.
With this in mind, here's a look at seven free agent targets that could fill a need for the Tennessee Titans and have a connection to someone within the organization.
LB Azeez Al-Shaair
Maybe this is cheating, but if we're talking free agent targets with connections to the Titans, I have to start with former Titans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.
After signing with the Titans as a free agent last offseason, Al-Shaair had a career year in 2023, recording 163 tackles and starting in all 17 games. He was also named a team captain.
Al-Shaair reestablished his value on a one-year contract and will have a ton of suitors when this free agency cycle opens. But there's still a need for linebackers and leadership in Tennessee, so I wouldn't rule out a return.
Ran Carthon was in San Francisco with Al-Shaair for years. The two are well-acquainted with one another and if anybody knows how valuable Azeez is to a defense, it's the Titans' second-year GM.
LB Patrick Queen
On the subject of the Titans needing to add linebackers in free agency, Patrick Queen would be a big swing that could transform the defense in Tennessee.
Queen can do it all. In 2023, he had 133 tackles, 3.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, one interception, and one forced fumble. He has been durable and consistent over his four-year NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens.
In 2023, Queen was elected to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career while new Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson was on the defensive staff in Baltimore as the defensive backs coach.
The Titans may not go this big at linebacker in free agency, nor do they necessarily need to. But Queen should still be on the wishlist of Titans fans if the price is right.
CB Kendall Fuller
If the Titans don't want to take a big swing by trading for and paying L'Jarius Sneed (which they shouldn't), they could go one step down and sign Kendall Fuller to get some consistency in the secondary.
Fuller is a 29-year-old veteran that has 16 interceptions in his eight-year NFL career. Six of those eight seasons have been spent in Washington, where he has started 62 games since 2020.
During an otherwise forgettable season for the Commanders, Fuller shined and allowed less than 0.8 yards per coverage snap. Opposing receivers had less than 50 combined catches for the second consecutive season.
Tennessee Titans cornerbacks coach/defensive pass game coordinator Chris Harris was the cornerbacks coach in Washington from 2020-2022. He has worked with Fuller before and I wouldn't be shocked if he works with Fuller again in Music City.
S Geno Stone
Geno Stone had a career year in 2023 playing for the Baltimore Ravens and Dennard Wilson. With Wilson as his defensive backs coach, the 24-year-old safety broke out with an AFC leading seven interceptions.
Stone is a former seventh-round draft pick that is hitting his prime as he enters free agency. He was used in Baltimore's defense as a free safety, which I think would compliment Amani Hooker very well in Tennessee.
Not only does Stone know defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, he was also college teammates with Amani Hooker in the secondary for the Iowa Hawkeyes. This is a fit that just makes too much sense.
C Andre James
Andre James would be a huge addition for the Titans. He has been an anchor of the Raiders' offensive line for the last three seasons with a 98% pass block-efficiency rating and over 960 snaps per season.
Let's not forget Josh Jacobs won the rushing title in 2022 running behind James in Las Vegas.
Aaron Brewer is a free agent. The Titans need to find a center to stabilize their offensive line this offseason. James would be a huge upgrade, and both Nick Holz (Titans OC) and Bo Hardegree (Titans QB coach) should know that.
While neither worked directly with the offensive line, both have been offensive assistants for the Raiders while James has been there. Hardegree was even the interim offensive coordinator for the second half of last season.
WR Darnell Mooney
Former Chicago Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney is one of the top wide receivers available in free agency this year.
Back in 2021, Mooney seemed to be a young star in the making. With a combination of Justin Fields and Andy Dalton as his quarterbacks, Mooney popped off for 81 catches and 1,055 during his second NFL season at 24 years old.
Since then, the Bears have been a run-heavy offense, Mooney has missed some time with injuries, and D.J. Moore became Chicago's WR1 and Justin Fields' favorite target. The production just hasn't been what it used to be. In the last two seasons combined, Mooney has 907 receiving yards and only three touchdowns.
I still think there could be something there with Mooney if he gets a larger target share, although he needs to improve his play strength significantly. The Titans could use someone with the ability to separate in the slot. New Titans wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert also comes from the Bears, where he built a relationship with Mooney.
AtoZ Sports projects Darnell Mooney to get a two-year, $16 million contract this offseason with only $8 million in guarantees. I'd sign up for that with his upside.
CB Chidobe Awuzie
Chidobe Awuzie is on my personal Titans free agent wishlist as the team looks to revamp their secondary. Awuzie is a former Cincinnati Bengal, so Brian Callahan should know him well even though he's a defensive player.
The 28-year-old veteran will be affordable, projected to land a one-year contract worth $8,5 million by AtoZ Sports, and can be a starting caliber perimeter corner.
Awuzie was only targeted 56 times out of 446 coverage snaps in 2023. I like the fit and the price tag, which would allow the Titans to dedicate more resources elsewhere while simultaneously solving the coverage problem.
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