The Tennessee Titans have a grand total of 34 pending free agents they have to make decisions on this offseason, but not all of them are created equal in terms of priority.
The Titans’ most notable free agents include tight end Austin Hooper, right guard Nate Davis, linebacker David Long, defensive linemen Teair Tart and DeMarcus Walker.
I guess we can also throw left guard Aaron Brewer on the list since he was a starter in 2022.
So, exactly how much will it take to keep each? We can’t say for sure, but Spotrac has posted market values for the majority of the aforementioned players on that list. Let’s see where they fall.
Note: all estimated market values are courtesy of Spotrac.
RG Nate Davis
Estimated market value: Three years, $22.4 million ($7.4 million AAV)
Where AAV would rank among guards: 19th
Davis is a quality starting offensive lineman, and those don’t exactly grow on trees, especially in free agency. However, there are some injury concerns here, with Davis missing eight games the past two seasons.
I actually think Davis could get more than this on the open market if he had been able to stay healthy. Regardless, sign me up for this deal, or something close to it.
LB David Long
Estimated market value: Two years, $9.8 million ($4.9 million AAV)
Where AAV would rank among LBs: 19th
This estimation is a bit too low for Long. Granted, he has dealt with injuries the past few seasons that no doubt hurts his value, but I think he can fetch at least a bit more than this if multiple teams get involved.
However, if this is all it takes to bring him back, it’s a no-brainer, injury history and all.
TE Austin Hooper
Estimated market value: Two years, $13.4 million ($6.7 million AAV)
Where AAV would rank among TEs: 19th
Hooper was one of the more reliable pass-catchers for Tennessee in 2022, so we’re definitely open to a reunion.
This AAV is slightly higher than what Hooper made last season ($6 million), but it’s fair if the Titans plan on giving him a similar role and utilize him more in 2023.
DL DeMarcus Walker
Estimated market value: One year, $3.2 million
Where AAV would rank among DLs: 83rd
At a shade over one million, Walker was an absolute steal for the Titans after tallying a career-high seven sacks. However, Tennessee won’t get him that cheap if they want to keep him in 2023, which they should.
I think this would actually be a fair price to pay for Walker, who proved to be a quality reserve. The veteran may also be thrust into a bit larger role depending on what Tennessee does with Bud Dupree.
LG Aaron Brewer (restricted)
Estimated market value: Four years, $21.9 million ($5.4 million AAV)
Where AAV would rank among guards: 22nd
If the Titans bring Brewer back as a starter and pay him this kind of money, the franchise should be disbanded. The 2020 UDFA proved he is not a starting-caliber offensive lineman in 2022.
Brewer is a restricted free agent, so the Titans have a bit of control here. That said, offer him a backup job and a shade over the $898,334 he made in 2022 and nothing more.
DL Teair Tart (restricted)
Tart was one of the only notable pending free agent Spotrac didn’t offer an estimated market value for, and while it remains to be seen what the Titans will offer him, he will definitely be getting a raise.
A 2020 UDFA, Tart made $895,000 last season, which is a steal for how good he was in his third campaign. Tart has been a quality starter for two seasons now and should be someone Tennessee brings back.
He’s a restricted free agent, so he’ll be able to seek offers outside of the Titans’, but they’ll have a chance to match anything that comes his way.
Figure it’ll take at least a few million to keep Tart in Nashville, and that’s a price the Titans should be willing to pay. However, don’t be surprised if a team comes with a strong offer than that.
LS Morgan Cox
After the Titans had long snapper issues a few years ago, the position has taken on a new level of importance, hence Cox’s inclusion here.
Like Tart, Spotrac didn’t provide an estimated market value for the veteran, but we can make an educated guess about what he’ll command based on past salaries.
Cox accounted for a cap hit of a little over $1 million in 2022, and that’s about what he’s garnered since his days with the Baltimore Ravens. The veteran should cost around that much once again in 2023.
