The Tennessee Titans have reportedly made their first move of free agency after agreeing to terms with former Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman, Denico Autry.
The deal, which can’t be made official until March 17, will reportedly pay Autry $21.5 million over three years, with $9 million guaranteed and $14.25 million going to him over the first two years, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
Autry brings versatility with him to Nashville, as he can line up as a three- or five-tech, depending on the situation. No matter where he lines up, Autry’s ability as both a pass rusher and run defender will be an upgrade upfront.
More importantly, opposing offenses will have a tougher time sending extra help to stop fellow defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, who was thwarted later in the 2020 campaign with little help around him.
Shortly after the news broke of the Titans’ plans to bring Autry to Tennessee, which also plucks a key defender from a division rival, Twitter reacted like this:
As @RapSheet and @TomPelissero reported, the #Titans have signed DL Denico Autry. Autry had 7.5 sacks last season as an interior rusher. 57.8% of his pass rushes as an interior defender were vs. double team. He created 5 sacks and had an 11.6% pass rush win rate.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) March 15, 2021
I love this move. He penetrates and does a lot. Major upgrade for the DL. #Titans https://t.co/jKfNCyoXm3
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) March 15, 2021
Honestly though, Denico Autry is a very underrated pick up. He and Simmons will be a very physical and disruptive duo.
— 2nd & Victory (@2ndandVictory) March 15, 2021
Denico Autry is a very, very good football player. https://t.co/KnABUmOuaX
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) March 15, 2021
Love the Denico Autry signing for the #Titans. Interior DL with 7.5 sacks last season to pair with Big Jeff, now go get your edge rusher.
— Lucas Panzica (@lucaspanzica) March 15, 2021
Great… We get to watch Denico Autry wreck the #Colts twice a year.
— Believe Blue (@BelieveBlue1953) March 16, 2021
Really like this addition. 30 years old, but he’s a 6-5 285 guy who will probably play some 5-tech in base and can rush inside or out in subpackages. 20 sacks in the last three years and regularly tortured the #Titans while he was in Indy. https://t.co/ipU9iWoVLG
— Mike Herndon (@MikeMiracles) March 15, 2021
Dang, Tennessee got a complete Dawg man! I’m going to miss seeing you disrupt everything in front of ya! Rooting for ya even while you’re wearing a different shade of blue! https://t.co/yC9KUk82e2
— Darius Leonard (@dsleon45) March 15, 2021
Let’s get it!! It’s a HailState thing!! https://t.co/BSRhIMKlY5
— Jeffery Simmons (@GrindSimmons94) March 15, 2021
Make way for Denico Autry Colts fans#Titans https://t.co/9ilmJxyEYW
— TitansTonk (@TitansTonk) March 15, 2021
