The hype of free agency has come and gone and now it’s time to look at what teams have gained and lost since March 16th and where they stand as they prepare for the upcoming draft. Let’s talk about the Tennessee Titans.
Tennessee Titans
Key acquisitions: WR Robert Woods, TE Austin Hooper, OT Jamarco Jones, RB Trenton Cannon, S A.J. Moore
Re-signed: OLB Harold Landry, C Ben Jones, TE Geoff Swaim, RB Dontrell Hilliard, K Randy Bullock, LS Morgan Cox, CB Buster Skrine
Departures: G Rodger Saffold (Bills), WR Julio Jones, LB Jayon Brown (Raiders), LB Rashaan Evans (Falcons), CB Janoris Jenkins, TE Anthony Firkser (Falcons), S Dane Cruikshank (Bears), RB D’Onta Foreman (Panthers), FB Khari Blasingame (Bears), OT Kendall Lamm
Remaining free agents: OT David Quessenberry, TE MyCole Pruitt
Analysis: A relatively quiet free agency for the Tennessee Titans turned into a solid one as not many changes needed to occur. The big move was the extension of pass rusher Harold Landry, who had a breakout year in 2021, and gets a deal through the 2026 season.
On offense, the big move was acquiring wide receiver Robert Woods from the Rams. This came after the release of Julio Jones, who was acquired last offseason from the Falcons and put up career-low numbers in an injury-riddled season. This was a necessary move as the WR group lacked depth behind A.J. Brown, and Woods, despite coming off an ACL tear, will fit in perfectly with Ryan Tannehill. They also signed Pro Bowl tight end Austin Hooper, who was cut by the Browns two years in to a four-year deal.
These additions on offense came with depth losses for the running backs as D’Onta Foreman, who filled in nicely for an injured Derrick Henry, signed with Panthers, and fullback Khari Blasingame signed with the Bears.
The offensive line will have a new look in 2021 following the release of left guard Rodger Saffold. They did sign former Seahawks backup Jamarco Jones who can compete for a guard or tackle job. Right tackle David Quessenberry is shockingly still a free agent, and there really aren’t any other options on the team, so they gotta make a move at some point.
The other departures on defense were longtime starting linebacker Jayon Brown, special teams safety Dane Cruikshank, and the release of veteran cornerback Janoris Jenkins.
Conclusion: The Titans 2021 season came after one of the worst performances by quarterback Ryan Tannehill. That’s been a conversation all offseason, whether or not to move on from Tannehill, but one bad game, albeit in the playoffs, shouldn’t alter the thinking that he is a very good quarterback. They made good moves to help the offense, but need work on the offensive line. Health is the key for Derrick Henry and Robert Woods. The defense has some good pieces but health is also important there. I expect a couple more moves for this team, either in the draft or approaching training camp, and this team will be right back in the playoffs.
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