The Titans made the playoffs with Marcus Mariota for the first time last season. But that breakthrough also led to major change, an overhaul that will continue in NFL free agency.
General manager Jon Robinson is still calling the shots to build on a wild-card team, but now he's doing it for the staff under new head coach Mike Vrabel, offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur and defensive coordinator Dean Pees.
Mariota has proved to be a great centerpiece, but he needs more pop around him as the team moves away from the run-heavy style of Mike Mularkey and Terry Robiskie. The defense stopped the run and rushed the passer well under Dick LeBeau, but the Titans lacked in playmaking quotient and secondary stability.
NFL FREE AGENCY:
Top 25 players; best by position
Before the Titans go to work with six overall picks in the 2018 NFL Draft, they have nearly $48 million under the salary cap (per OverTheCap.com) available to spend on veteran free agents. Here's a look at the types of players on whom they might spend it.
Running back
The Titans cut DeMarco Murray and recouped $6.5 million in cap savings. Murray, 30, slowed down last season, and his limited receiving production didn't help the new offense.
Derrick Henry will get his crack as the early-down and drive-finishing workhorse, but he'll need a complement for the passing game. There's no better free-agent target for such a role than the Vikings' Jerick McKinnon.
Henry is a younger, better version of Latavius Murray, the player with whom McKinnon needed to work while the duo replaced injured Dalvin Cook last season. McKinnon turns 26 in May, while Henry turns 24 in July. Signing McKinnon to a three-year deal would have the Titans' backfield on lock to be productive on every down behind a mighty offensive line.
Wide receiver
The Titans used a first-round pick on Corey Davis last year, and when healthy near the end of 2017 (including the playoff game against the Patriots), he looked worthy of the selection. But Rishard Matthews will become a free agent after 2018, his age-29 season. Eric Decker, Harry Douglas and Eric Weems are all unsigned.
With Davis outside and fellow second-year player Taywan Taylor working more in the slot, the Titans could use a little experience at their No. 2 spot. The Rams' Sammy Watkins excelled playing with Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp under LaFleur with the Rams. He would be a perfect fit in this mix as a speedy field-stretcher to play off Davis' size.
NFL FREE AGENCY:
Top wide receivers on 2018 market
Either Watkins or the Jaguars' Allen Robinson, the more expensive wideout on the market, are worthy targets for Tennessee as it shoots to have a more legitimate, explosive downfield passing game in 2018.
Guard
The Titans have two stud first-round tackles in Taylor Lewan and Jack Conklin. Solid center Ben Jones has two years left on his deal. But around them, right guard Josh Kline and swing backup Brian Schwenke are free agents. With undrafted Quinton Spain playing well at left guard, the Titans should consider a replacement for Kline.
Either the Chiefs' Zach Fulton or the Colts' Jack Mewhort would do the trick. Fulton would bring the bonus of being good insurance for Jones. Mewhort has experience at right tackle, too.
Backup quarterback
Matt Cassel has proved he's a bad insurance policy for Mariota, and he's signed only through 2018. Behind both, Brandon Weeden is a free agent. The reasonable options on the market who fit LaFleur's West Coast offense best are the Giants' Geno Smith and the Jaguars' Chad Henne. If someone like that isn't acquired via free agency, expect the Titans to draft a developmental backup.
Inside linebacker
The Titans also need some edge-rushing help for Pees, but that's a hard position to fill in free agency. For now, they have good 3-4 starting outside linebackers in Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo. Inside, it's a different story.
Avery Williamson will be difficult to retain as a free agent after a strong season. The Titans have Wesley Woodyard signed through 2019, but he turns 32 in July. The Jets' Demario Davis would be a fine pickup to replace Williamson. For the shorter term, older options such as the Chiefs' Derrick Johnson and the Jaguars' Paul Posluszny are out there. The Colts' Jon Bostic needs some consideration as a cheaper option.
MOCK DRAFT 2018:
Titans find playmaker at linebacker
The Eagles' Nigel Bradham would be an upgrade in coverage, but he would hurt the Titans against the run. The Broncos' Todd Davis is a strong run stopper, but like Woodyard, he is limited in coverage. Because the Titans need to accept a veteran drop-off in some form, they might just re-sign Williamson, who turns 26 on Friday.
Cornerback
The Titans spent good money to get former Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan and former Jaguars safety Johnathan Cyprien in free agency last year. Then they used a first-round pick on cornerback Adoree' Jackson and enjoyed a breakout second season from All-Pro safety Kevin Byard.
Because Tennessee is looking good on the front line of its back end, there's no real desperation here. But there are enough issues for the Titans to consider reeling in a big fish. Depth is a weakness, with Brice McCain unsigned and LeShaun Sims coming off a season-ending hamstring injury. Neither was all that effective in coverage last season. Ryan also struggled a bit and ended 2017 with an ankle injury.
The Titans could go after the Patriots' durable Malcolm Butler to play opposite Jackson; they then could move Ryan to his more comfortable role in the slot. The Redskins' Bashaud Breeland also was a strong No. 2 last season working with Josh Norman and Kendall Fuller.
Byard had eight interceptions last season, but the rest of the team produced only four. The Titans also gave up plenty of big pass plays. If they choose to spend on a top veteran corner, their promising pass coverage can turn into a strength. It still makes more sense, however, for Tennessee to put offense first with its free-agency budget.
