One of the Tennessee Titans’ bigger moves of free agency thus far was the signing of former Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Andre Dillard, who was inked to a three-year, $29 million deal.
Dillard gives Tennessee a left tackle for 2023, which was among the team’s biggest needs. However, he is certainly unproven, as Dillard failed to grab a full-time starting role in Philly for a few reasons.
All that said, the upside is certainly there with Dillard, and at 27 he has the potential to be a long-term answer for Tennessee. If all goes well, this deal will prove to be a steal.
But Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame doesn’t see it that way. In fact, he listed Dillard among the worst free-agent acquisitions of the offseason thus far. Here’s why:
Dillard is a 2019 first-round pick by the Eagles who failed to stay in the starting lineup throughout his rookie deal. All told, Dillard started nine games across four years in Philadelphia before hitting free agency.
Tennessee desperately needs help up front after releasing left tackle Taylor Lewan and seeing guard Nate Davis leaving in free agency. Still, first-time general manager Ran Carthon was overly aggressive in this instance.
Dillard, 27, will have a chance to consistently start in Tennessee, but the opportunity comes at a very high price for the Titans.
While the price could be considered somewhat high for a promising but unproven left tackle, the deal is actually quite friendly for Tennessee.
Dillard only has $10 million guaranteed on his deal, and the Titans can comfortably get out of it after two years without much of a dead-cap charge. Dillard’s contract does carry two void years, but both with low dead-cap hits.
On the flip side, if Dillard does pan out and answers the bell at left tackle for multiple years, this deal will prove to be one of the best of the 2023 free-agent period.
