Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson is going to have a busy offseason.
After the Titans fell one game short of making it to Super Bowl LIV, head coach Mike Vrabel’s squad is on the doorstep of being true contenders.
But before that can happen, the Titans’ GM must make moves at certain positions in free agency and in the draft that will make a significant impact and/or add depth to the roster.
Let’s see what those positions are, in no particular order.
Starting and backup QB
These are obvious ones. The Titans don’t have a starting quarterback under contract for 2020 as of yet, but chances are they’ll get something done to keep Ryan Tannehill in Nashville.
On the extreme side, the Titans could bring in Tom Brady.
Once the starting situation is figured out, the Titans also need a backup, especially with Tannehill’s checkered past with injuries, or because Brady is going to be 43 when next season starts.
The only quarterback under contract right now is Logan Woodside, and there’s no guarantee he can keep this team afloat if an injury happens. The Titans like Woodside, but he hasn’t taken a snap in a regular season game yet.
The Titans might end up drafting a young quarterback to groom for the future and serve as the team’s backup, but the safer option would be to bring in an experienced backup who can keep the team competitive if an injury occurs.
Which direction the Titans decide to go as far as a backup is concerned could hinge on who the starter ends up being, whether it’s Tannehill or Brady.
EDGE
The Titans’ pass-rush was abysmal in 2018, and while it looked like it got better in 2019, it wasn’t by much. In fact, Tennessee totaled just four more sacks than the year prior.
Cameron Wake, who was brought in as a free agent in 2019 to add a boost to the pass-rush, is 38 years old and is coming off an injury-shortened season. There’s a chance he gets cut, also.
Even if he’s stays on the team and is healthy, he isn’t capable of playing a full complement of snaps and can’t be relied upon to be the true difference-maker this team needs.
Tennessee is best served trying to make a big splash via free agency, while also adding another pass-rusher in the draft.
Cornerback
The Titans might lose Logan Ryan to free agency, and Malcolm Butler may end up being a cap casualty, either this year or next.
Adding to that, Adoree’ Jackson is approaching the end of his rookie contract (his fifth-year option will be in 2021 if the Titans pick it up).
All of this means there could be a lot of turnover in the secondary in the next few years and the Titans would be wise to get a head start on what could be a rebuild in that area.
I’d expect Tennessee to draft a corner in the first or second round, with an outside chance that a move is made in free agency, albeit on a smaller scale than a move for an EDGE.
Running back
There’s no two ways about it: Dion Lewis has been an unmitigated disaster since signing a four-year deal with the Titans in 2018. It would be a shock if he’s still on the team in 2020.
At the very least, the Titans will need to add a No. 2 back behind Derrick Henry, and at most a No. 1 back if Henry moves on in free agency.
It would be a surprise if the Titans don’t find some way to retain the Alabama product, so chances are they’ll be looking for a young back to spell Henry and be an asset in the passing game.
Kicker
The Titans can’t go into 2020 without exploring every single option available to them at kicker. In 2019, the Titans’ struggles at the position were well-documented, as Tennessee was the league’s worst field goal kicking team.
Ryan Succop might get cut, or it’s possible his contract gets restructured and the Titans keep him around. There’s also a chance nothing happens with Succop’s contract and he simply returns next season to compete for a starting job.
No matter what the Titans decide to do, they need to bring another kicker to camp to compete with Greg Joseph, who took over for Succop last season but wasn’t able to show much, as he attempted just one field goal.
Wide receiver
At the very least, the Titans should be looking for a burner who can stretch the field and be a deep threat for this offense. But the Titans also have to keep in mind the future of Corey Davis.
The former No. 5 overall pick will be entering his fourth season in 2020 and the team has to decide if it’s going to pick up his fifth-year option for 2021. Based on the fact that Davis took a step back statistically last season and was surpassed by A.J. Brown, it’s unlikely the Titans do so.
So, not only should Tennessee be looking for a burner, but adding an outside receiver with speed would check all the boxes for 2021.
Offensive line
If the 2019 season proved anything, it’s that depth is vital upfront. If not for Dennis Kelly being a reserve option, the suspension of Taylor Lewan could have hurt the Titans even more than it did.
In 2020, Kelly is likely to be the team’s starting right tackle if Jack Conklin walks, or he could be moving on himself to find a starting job if Conklin returns.
One way or the other, the Titans will be losing a valuable depth piece.
Tennessee could use a versatile lineman who can play multiple positions, or one that can be groomed for the future if the 30-year-old Kelly starts next season.
Kevin Pamphile could be that guy, as he’s capable of playing both inside and out; however Pamphile wasn’t active for a single game in 2019 and there’s no telling what his situation will be for next season.
One thing’s for certain: the less the Titans have to depend on Jamil Douglas as a backup, the better.
