2018 Free Agency Preview: Tennessee Titans

What you need to know

Despite finishing the 2017 season at 9-7, the Tennessee Titans sneaked into the playoffs and rallied from a 21-3 deficit to upset the Kansas City Chiefs on the road in the Wild Card Round. Of course, Tennessee’s underdog run came to an abrupt halt with their 35-14 loss to the AFC’s eventual Super Bowl representative in the New England Patriots the following week.

Though short-lived, the Titans’ playoff run magnified both the strengths and weaknesses in the roster, which should give the team’s brass a better understanding of how to attack free agency and the rest of the offseason. Offensively, quarterback Marcus Mariota, running back Derrick Henry, and tackles Taylor Lewan and Jack Conklin should move forward as key pieces, while interior defender Jurrell Casey and safety Kevin Byard will remain staples to the defense. Building around these core players is paramount if the team is to become stronger playoff contenders.

Salary cap room

$45,974, 068 (10th in the NFL, as of Mar. 6, 2018)

Biggest Needs

Edge defender
Guard
Wide receiver
Cornerback

Notable free agents

Avery Williamson, LB, 85.6 overall grade
DaQuan Jones, DI, 80.8 overall grade
Josh Kline, G, 75.8 overall grade
Eric Decker, WR, 71.8 overall grade

Must re-sign

Avery Williamson, LB, 85.6 overall grade

A former fifth-round pick with the Titans in 2014, Williamson was cast into the fire early in his career, playing 820-plus defensive snaps in each of his first three years in the league. As expected, the former Kentucky product needed time to develop his skill set and gain experience before he could reach his maximum potential, which led to three consecutive years of middle-of-the-pack grades.

Most recently, Williamson seemingly turned over a new leaf as the Titans’ off-the-ball linebacker, finishing the 2017 season with the 10th-ranked grade (85.6) among qualifying linebackers. Also, his 90.1 run-defense grade ranked sixth among the same group of linebackers. He and fellow off-the-ball linebacker Wesley Woodyard make for a dynamic duo at the heart of Tennessee’s defense, one that would surely falter if Williamson were replaced in 2018.

Dream splash signing

Allen Robinson, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

With Eric Decker likely leaving Tennessee via free agency, Mariota should be in the market for another outside wide receiver opposite of sophomore-to-be Corey Davis. As such, targeting Robinson, easily the top receiver available, this offseason simply makes too much sense for the Titans.

Turning just 25 years old this upcoming season, Robinson has the size (6-foot-3, 211 pounds) and advanced skill set to dominate at the receiver position when healthy. However, his health has failed to hold up its end of the bargain, as he suffered a season-ending injury (ACL) just three snaps into his 2017 campaign. Prior to the injury, Robinson managed 87.5 and 74.9 overall grades in 2015 and 2016, respectively, despite working with an inconsistent play at the quarterback position. In his career year, he led the league in deep receiving yards (672) and ranked 13th in yards per route run (2.17).

If inserted into a stable offense with a capable gunslinger and a clean bill of health, Robinson is more than capable of mirroring his career-year numbers for at least the foreseeable future.

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2018 free agent prospects

Kyle Fuller, CB, Chicago Bears

Finishing his contract year in 2017 ranked 22nd in terms of overall grade (84.3), the 26-year-old Fuller likely earned himself a significant payday given the relatively league-wide need at cornerback. He allowed just a 69.0 passer rating when targeted despite being targeted more than any other cornerback during the regular season. Playing at a high level while seeing a high volume of targets is a sought-after trait in today’s NFL, and his contract should reflect such ample desire.

In Tennessee, Fuller could replace both Brice McCain and LeShaun Sims as a full-time starter along the boundary opposite of rising star Adoree’ Jackson, which would allow defensive coordinator Dean Pees to keep Logan Ryan in his slot cornerback role.

Andrew Norwell, G, Carolina Panthers

With guards Josh Kline and Quinton Spain both set to become free agents, the Titans’ need at guard strengthens even if just one of the two signs elsewhere. Norwell, easily one of the top five free agents still unsigned, would be a significant upgrade over either Kline or Spain and could quite possibly take the team’s run game to the next level.

In addition to his pass-blocking prowess, Norwell had the fourth-lowest percentage of negatively graded blocks among guards in 2017 and seventh-lowest in 2016. Fitting his skill set into an already talented Tennessee offensive line will give both Mariota and Henry better opportunities for success in 2018.