Free Agency Day 1 Recap
Free Agency has been a whirlwind since 11am central time. Going into free agency the Titans had needs across the board: Tackle, Edge, QB, WR, LB, S, and Guard. The Titans were quick to make a splash today with their focus primarily on former Pittsburgh Steeler and new top dollar LT Dan Moore Jr. The new blindside tackle for the Titans looks to be more of the same for Tennessee; overpaid and overrated. Dan Moore’s signing is giving Titans fans serious PTSD from Dennis Daley and Andre Dilliard. In addition, the Titans drafted J.C. Latham to be the teams future LT. However, after a year with “OL Guru” Bill Callahan J.C. Latham was less than ideal at the position giving up 7 sacks and 47 pressures. Whereas, new Titans LT Moore Jr. gave up 12 sacks and 41 pressures. For Titans fans this looks to be more of the same except this iteration of LT carousel is more expensive than the previous 3 combined. Moore Jr.’s contract is for 4 years and pays out $50m guaranteed over the next 2 years. Like it or not he’s in Tennessee for quite some time. The good news is that last year was Moore’s best year as a tackle with a 66.2 PFF rating. Additionally, this could help J.C. Latham as now he’s at his more natural position of RT. In a way it’s killing two birds with one stone…but only if Bill Callahan can make Moore into a serviceable LT. To add insult to injury Dan Moore Jr. is now the 6th highest paid tackle in the NFL and ranked the 48th best tackle in the NFL according to PFF.
It’s becoming increasingly harder and harder to have faith that the Titans organization knows what it’s doing to create a solid offensive line. Since Isaiah Wilson in 2020 the Titans have had OL issues as they stumbled through Dennis Daley, Andre Dilliard, Dillon Radunz, NPF, Chris Hubbard, Leroy Watson, and Jaelyn Duncan. It’s been hellish, to say the least, for Titans QB’s since 2020. Objectively the Titans overpaid for Moore Jr. and they’ll need him to at least be average or the Titans will be spending another high pick on a LT in next year’s draft.
Next, the Titans signed former Denver ILB Cody Barton to a low risk deal around $7m per year for 3 years. Good news is Barton seems like a solid consolation signing after missing out on Dre Greenlaw who went to the Broncos. Barton isn’t going to be a superstar LB but he should provide good depth where the Titans lacked a lot of it last year as they were dealing with injuries throughout the LB room. Barton ranks 28th in run defense and 128th in pass coverage for LB’s. It appears once again the Titans will be missing a coverage linebacker. However, as it pertains to stuffing the run Barton should be a really solid 2 down LB with Cedric Gray or perhaps James Williams taking much of the obvious 3rd and long passing downs.
Who’s Left
The Titans still have room to make some moves or two. Jevon Holland is still available and many of the free agent Safeties have already signed with teams. However, Holland could be waiting it out for big money from someone. Every year or so there’s a player who ends up signing late, usually post draft, because teams aren’t willing to spend 1st wave type money for whatever reason to a player…see Justin Simmons (2024). The Titans should also look at adding an Edge player now that Landry was released and signed with Vrabel’s Patriots. It would be great if the dollars make sense to bring in Joey Bosa onto this defense, or the more likely and cheaper option could be Chase Young. Elijah Moore or Amari Cooper would be a solid addition to the team as well. Outside of Calvin Ridley you really don’t want to look at the WR depth chart. Whoever, the Titans bring in to play QB they’ll need all the help they can get at WR. Speaking of QB’s there’s a rumor about that the Titans are in on Russell Wilson. The 36 year-old QB would be a solid backup/mentor option for a rookie QB. A guard that could stay in division could be former Colts Guard Will Fries who has been solid for the Colts. If that doesn’t work Mekhi Becton, who started for the SB Champion Philadelphia Eagles, would be a solid get. Becton was a FA last year when the Titans didn’t even give Becton the time of day. However, the 26 year-old OG could be interested in heading down to Nashville to solidify the porous OL.
The Titans still have time tonight and/or throughout the next few days if they want to go bargin shopping or go big adding solid players. For a team with as many holes as the Titans it’s hard to go wrong with adding players to one of the worst rosters in the NFL.
