Caleb Harris
The Tennessee Titans have been one of the most active teams when it comes to acquiring new talent this offseason. General manager Ran Carthon handed veteran Calvin Ridley a lucrative contract, signed a new starting running back in Tony Pollard, broke financial records by signing center Lloyd Cushenberry and traded for cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. It’s been a busy offseason for the Titans, but they’re not done yet.
Tennessee has filled holes in its lineup, but there is still work to be done. There’s another wave of free agency coming now that the year 2024 NFL Draft has been completed, and Tennessee will be in the mix again. Below, we’ll break down five free agents the Titans should consider signing.
Kwon Alexander ruptured his Achilles tendon last year, but is back in training training. The linebacker position was addressed by the Titans in the draft with Cedric Gray and former safety James Williams, but is that good enough? There are few options on the free agent market when it comes to in-house sponsors, but Alexander is someone who knows how to play the position. While he probably won’t make another Pro Bowl at age 30, he would bring much-needed experience to this room and it wouldn’t cost a lot. Alexander recorded 41 combined tackles, one sack and one forced fumble for the Pittsburgh Steelers in nine games played last season, and a game-sealing interception, which came in prime time against the Titans.
The Titans will get Harold Landry and Arden Key off the edge, with Rashad Weaver and seventh-round pick Jaylen Harrell likely backing them up. Although Harrell led the Michigan Wolverines in sacks last year, it remains to be seen if he can be a consistent player at this level. We know Ngakoue can.
Former Maryland Terp and new Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson could consider bringing in a former Maryland star. Ngakoue has been a mercenary of late, playing for six different teams over the past five seasons. But he recorded 9.5 sacks for the Indianapolis Colts in 2022 and 10 sacks for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021. Ngakoue played 13 games for the Chicago Bears last season and recorded 22 combined tackles and four sacks. Coming off an ankle injury at age 29, he still has some marks on his tires. The Titans could add depth at EDGE.
I have no idea why Risner is still looking for a new team. He went unclaimed in the regular season last year before finally being signed by the Minnesota Vikings, and started 11 games for them, while Ezra Cleveland was sent to the Jacksonville Jaguars at the trade deadline.
Risner has played left guard his entire career, and former first-round pick Peter Skoronski is slated to start there for Tennessee. But will Daniel Brunskill be undisputed at right guard? Is Dillon Radunz a tackle or guard? The bottom line is that Tennessee would be smart to bolster the interior offensive line with someone who has starting experience.
What could put a damper on this potential marriage is that Risner has stated that he wants to start the custody money, but continues to not sign. I would love Risner in this room.
With the additions of Ridley and Jha’Quan Jackson, the wide receiver position isn’t one of the Titans’ biggest needs right now. But that doesn’t mean Brian Callahan stopped bringing guns.
Reports indicate the Titans have visited several wideouts, including Boyd. Callahan meets the former Cincinnati Bengals receiver who is considering leaving the only NFL franchise he has ever known. Boyd recorded the fourth-most receptions (513) and seventh-most receiving yards (6,000) in Bengals franchise history, and would give Tennessee just one more option to move on from the slot.
You can never have enough talented players, but the competition between these players will be fierce. Treylon Burks and Kyle Phillips have to prove not only that they can stay healthy but also carve out roles for themselves. Colton Dowell’s spot on the roster isn’t guaranteed as a former seventh-round pick and the same can be said for Nick Westbrook -Ikhine. Boyd is a receiver that Callahan is familiar with and who has two 1,000-yard seasons to his name.
The security market is full of stars, so choose who you would like to hire right now. Tennessee reportedly visited Marcus Maye, but if it were up to me, I’d take Justin Simmons. The four-time Second Team All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler was released by the Denver Broncos after eight incredible seasons. The 30-year-old Simmons was again named Second Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler last year after recording 70 combined tackles, one sack, eight passes defensed and three interceptions.
Tennessee currently has Amani Hooker and Elijah Molden at safety, so expect the Titans to sign a vet before we get to August.
