The Tennessee Titans went into the 2020 offseason with over 20 free agents to make decisions on, and nine of them remain unsigned at this late stage in free agency.
They are as follows:
Logan Ryan | CB
Delanie Walker | TE
Ryan Succop | K
Cameron Wake | OLB
David Fluellen | RB
Kevin Pamphile | OL
Daren Bates | ILB
Wesley Woodyard | ILB
Tramaine Brock | CB
Of those nine players, who could the team still realistically re-sign to fill a remaining team need? Let’s take a look.
Ryan Succop | K
While Succop was the root of the Titans’ kicking struggles last season, don’t rule out Tennessee bringing him back to improve the competition at kicker during training camp.
In fact, general manager Jon Robinson recently said the team was “not closing the door” on a reunion with its former kicker.
“Had a great meeting with him when we decided to release him there and just told him to get healthy,” Robinson said. “Certainly, we were not closing the door on maybe potentially looking at him again.”
Whether it’s Succop or another veteran, the Titans need to add more to a competition that will take place between Greg Joseph, who attempted just one field goal in the two-tone blue, and UDFA Tucker McCann.
Yes, Succop was a disaster in 2019, but it’s important to note that his knee might have been the cause of his issues. Prior to that, the former Titans kicker was one of the more consistent players at his position.
It certainly wouldn’t hurt to kick the tires on Succop and see if he can earn his way back onto the roster over two inexperienced kickers.
Cody Parkey | K
While Parkey isn’t technically a Titans free agent in the traditional sense, Tennessee was the last team he played for.
Things might have been different for the Titans’ field goal unit last season if they had held on to Parkey instead of bringing Succop back, but of course hindsight is always 20/20 and there was no telling Succop would return with such disastrous results.
Parkey was the only Titans kicker to have any semblance of success during the regular season. In three games, Parkey was 3-of-3 on field goal attempts, including two from 40-plus yards and one from 50-plus yards, and he made five of his six extra points before being cut in favor of Succop.
Granted, Parkey is no lock to be the guy to revive the Titans’ kicking game, but he for sure would bring a lot to the competition for the starting spot in training camp.
Wesley Woodyard | ILB
The Titans carried five inside linebackers on their 53-man roster last season, three of which — Jayon Brown, Rashaan Evans and David Long — are still on the team.
Beyond those three, the Titans have Nick Dzubar, Nigel Harris, and two UDFAs in Cale Garrett and Khaylan Kearse-Thomas, all of whom either lack experience or have played predominantly on special teams during their career.
The Titans saw just how important depth at inside linebacker can be last season after Brown missed three games (including playoffs) with an injury.
Woodyard would provide some much-needed depth at the position should he return, and he could once again be a key contributor on special teams — however, it remains to be seen if he’d be willing to keep playing a limited role in Nashville.
Daren Bates | ILB
Like Woodyard, Bates would not only provide depth on defense, but he’d also return to his usual spot as a key special teamer for the Titans.
The only issue here is that Bates has mostly played on special teams, as the most snaps he’s seen on defense during his career was 40 back in 2018. Still, that isn’t a huge concern for an inside linebacker who would be near the bottom of the depth chart.
Regardless, Bates brings versatility with him, and was a great presence in the locker room, serving as one of the team’s hype men during his time in Nashville.
