The Tennessee Titans find themselves in a unique position in 2020 when it comes to the ability to keep their own free agents.
Because no new CBA has been passed, teams have the opportunity to use both the franchise and transition tags in the same year, as opposed to the norm where only one can be used.
However, that can change rapidly if a new CBA is agreed upon before the start of the league year on March 18th. As of right now, a proposal has already been ratified by the owners and players are expected to vote on it soon.
But until that happens, using both tags is currently on the table, and being able to do so would be a huge benefit for Tennessee.
Let’s take a look at what the Titans should do with their top four free agents if no new CBA is passed. Tennessee has about $50 million to spend this offseason before making cuts, per Over the Cap.
Ryan Tannehill: Sign to long-term deal
Projected market value (per Spotrac): Four years, $122 million ($30.5 million annual average salary)
Everything changed when the Titans inserted Ryan Tannehill under center as the starter in Week 7. After a 2-4 start, Tannehill helped launch the Titans’ offense into a different stratosphere and compiled a 7-3 record in the last 10 games en route to the playoffs.
It’s been a long time since the Titans have been able to say “that’s our guy” at quarterback, and it’s why general manager Jon Robinson should lock him up. Signing Tannehill to a multi-year extension also gives the franchise extra time to plan for its future solution at quarterback via the draft.
I think Spotrac’s market value is a bit high for what Tannehill will get from the Titans. I expect it to be more in the ballpark of what Alex Smith got from the Washington Redskins ($23.5 million average salary).
Derrick Henry: Franchise tag
2020 franchise tag salary (per Over the Cap): $12.4 million
The Titans should never let Derrick Henry hit the open market because another team looking for that final piece could make a crazy offer to the reigning rushing champ that Tennessee isn’t willing to match.
Now, this isn’t to say that the Titans shouldn’t still work on a long-term deal with Henry. In fact, I think that’s exactly what they should do after placing the franchise tag on the Alabama product.
However, if things don’t go according to plan, the Titans could keep Henry for the year on the tag. Of course, a holdout is possible, but that doesn’t seem like something Henry would do, and such an approach has failed miserably for running backs in the past.
The Titans just have to make sure that they don’t give Henry too many years on a deal that will take him past the stage of breaking down.
At most, Tennessee should sign him to a four-year deal, but three years would be preferable, with the contract being front-loaded and having an out after the second or third year, depending on its length.
In the past, I’ve flirted with the thought that Henry should be the highest-paid back, but I’ve since changed my tune on this. His limitations in the passing game hurt his value, and a lot of his success is a result of elite run-blocking from the offensive line.
An annual average salary of around $10 to $12 million would be fair for the 26-year-old.
Jack Conklin: Transition tag
2020 transition tag salary (per Over the Cap): $14.6 million
After the Titans decided not to pick up Jack Conklin‘s fifth-year option because of injury concerns and overall inconsistency, the right tackle had himself a sensational 2019 season.
As a result, he’s likely to command hefty payday on the open market with the demand for quality offensive linemen being what it is.
The transition tag allows the Titans to keep some control over Conklin. The 25-year-old will be able to negotiate with other teams with this tag, but Tennessee will have the chance to match any offer sheet.
In this instance, if Conklin receives an offer the Titans aren’t willing to match, they can let him walk and bring Dennis Kelly back. Kelly filled in for Conklin in 2018 and proved to be more than capable as a starter on the right side.
Logan Ryan: Let him walk
Logan Ryan was undoubtedly one of the most important players on defense for the Titans in 2019, but the team may already have a replacement in Amani Hooker.
When the Titans drafted Hooker in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Robinson knew two things.
- Ryan was going to be a free agent after 2019.
- Hooker was an elite slot corner while with Iowa. He earned the highest slot coverage grade since 2016, per Pro Football Focus.
Hooker very well could have been drafted to be Ryan’s heir-apparent.
If that’s the case, the Titans’ GM can avoid paying the veteran corner a salary that could go north of the $10 million annually he received in his last contract, as the demand for quality corners around the NFL will likely drive up the price.
With the money saved from Ryan, the Titans will be in a better position to make a big splash and bring in a pass-rusher via free agency.
