The Tennessee Titans made some wise moves during the first phase of free agency, giving the team a lot more freedom as it prepares to make selections in the 2019 NFL Draft.
General manager Jon Robinson didn’t just land potential impact players for the Titans — he got them for a bargain.
Matthew Stevens of the Touchdown Wire selected three Titans in his “7 biggest value deals from early free agency 2019” list.
Here’s a quick glance at three of Tennessee’s newest signings.
WR Adam Humphries
The Titans headed into the free agency period with a need for more depth and experience at the wide receiver position, and they got it in former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Adam Humphries.
Humphries, who is coming off of a career year, may turn out to be the most important deal the Titans have struck in this year’s free agency period.
“Humphries’ $9 million APY ranks eighth highest average signed in free agency,” Stevens wrote. “But with the 2018 free agency signings pushing wide receiver contracts into the stratosphere, Humphries is a steal. Even this free agency period, there were wide receivers signed that are less productive and consistent than Humphries has been in Tampa Bay’s deep offense.”
Expect Humphries to give the Titans a boost as a slot receiver, and come in clutch on third-down situations.
OLB Cameron Wake
Former Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Cameron Wake may be 37-years-old, but he’s still more productive than some of the league’s younger talents and is expected to bring an instant upgrade to Dean Pees’ defense.
In 2018, Wake racked up 36 tackles, six sacks and one pass defensed. On a 10-season career, Wake totals 360 tackles, 98 sacks, one safety, 16 passes defensed, and one interception.
“If Wake can stay healthy in 2019, he legitimately has the chance to put up double-digit sacks once again,” Stevens wrote. “When considering pass rushers who haven’t hit that level of production were signed to contracts nearly double what Wake is making, he could be a huge value for the Titans.”
QB Ryan Tannehill
In mid-March, the Titans signed former Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill to a one-year, restructured deal worth $7 million. With Miami set to pay up on $5 million of that, the Titans are responsible for only $2 million of the contract.
For an experienced insurance policy to serve behind starting signal-caller Marcus Mariota, it doesn’t get much better than this in terms of value.
“While Tannehill isn’t considered the starter in Tennessee, $2 million for an accomplished backup quarterback is a steal regardless of how you look at it,” Stevens wrote. “But when considering franchise quarterback Marcus Mariota’s injury history (eight missed games over four years), Tannehill could be an even bigger steal if he has to start any games in 2019.”
