In Week 1’s contest against the Cleveland Browns, one thing in particular stood out about the Tennessee Titans offense: more shots taken downfield.
But as Tony Romo pointed out, the Titans offensive line doesn’t have the strength to block long enough for the wide receivers to get deep.
ESPN’s Turron Davenport said in a recent live stream on Twitter that he believes the Titans’ weakest position currently is at right guard.
Kevin Pamphile was originally planned to be the starter at the spot, but injuries have plagued him early this season. Rookie Nate Davis, who the Titans drafted in the third round, has also been sidelined by injury.
To remedy the issue within the offensive line, there are still names out there the Titans could target.
Here’s a look at some players the Titans could potentially sign to fill the void.
John Sullivan
Sullivan is an 11-year veteran who helped the Rams make it to the Super Bowl a season ago at center. With his level of experience, he is the type of player that you only have to teach what to do, and not how to do it.
Sullivan currently sits on the open market. Theoretically, if the Titans signed him, Ben Jones could switch to right guard.
Halapoulivaati Vaitai
Because the Eagles traded up to draft Andre Dillard in the first round, Vaitai may be expendable.
With Jason Peters and Lane Johnson starting at tackle for the Eagles, and Dillard able to play a swing tackle role as he develops, Vaitai may be worth making a phone call for.
It wouldn’t be the first time the Titans have traded for a tackle with the Eagles, and it worked out pretty well last time. Vaitai played well at left tackle while Peters missed an extended period of time in 2017.
He is on the final year of his contract and only carries a $2 million cap hit. Vaitai could fill in at left tackle until Taylor Lewan returns, and then play a swing tackle role afterward. Dennis Kelly could slide over to right guard, where he took snaps at last season in goalline packages.
Stefan Wisniewski
Wisniewski is naturally a left guard, but has seen time at center in his eight-year NFL career.
He has played with three different teams throughout his career, including with the Oakland Raiders who drafted him in 2011 and used him right away.
He also saw time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he started all 16 games at center, and with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he was a full-time starter for two seasons.
He started 11 games in his final year with the team. In 2017, Wisniewski helped the Eagles to a 13-3 record, complete with a Super Bowl win.
But Wisniewski’s play has gradually declined over the past few seasons, and he’s now on the free agent market.
With the emphasis the Titans place on having a strong offensive line, and the weakness within its interior, Wisniewski should be able to challenge for a starting spot or at least provide another versatile veteran presence.
