The Tennessee Titans will look much different in 2024. The team decided to fire Mike Vrabel and install Brian Callahan as the new head coach. The team is seeking to improve after a disappointing 6-11 record in 2023. Unfortunately, this team is not just a player or two away from competing. Instead, it seems a much more intensive rebuild will take place.

However, it’s not all bad. The team appears set at the quarterback position after Will Levis showed promise as a rookie. The team also is in one of the best cap positions in the league with over $65M in projected cap space.

Today, we will take a look at every pending free agent and decide whether the team should keep or let walk. We will also identify some intriguing free agent options and go over some 2024 NFL Draft ideas. Let’s dive in!

Impending Free Agents

The following players are slated to be unrestricted free agents this offseason:

• Ryan Tannehill, QB

• Derrick Henry, RB

• Denico Autry, DL

• Azeez Al-Shaair, LB

• Aaron Brewer, OL

• Sean Murphy-Bunting, CB

• Terrell Edmunds, S

• Kristian Fulton, CB

• Chris Moore, WR

• Morgan Cox, LS

• Chris Hubbard, OL

• Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR

• Trevis Gipson, EDGE

• Trevon Wesco, FB/TE

• Corey Levin, OL

• Joe Jones, LB

• Marlon Davidson, DL

• Ross Blacklock, DT

• K’Von Wallace, S

Now, let’s dive into who the Titans should keep.

Keep

• Denico Autry

• Azeez Al-Shaair

• Chris Moore

• Morgan Cox

• Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

• Marlon Davidson

• K’Von Wallace

Autry and Al-Shaair should be looked at as “must-keeps.” Al-Shaair was a tackling machine and did a great job captaining the defense. Al-Shaair showed everything you could want in an off-ball linebacker and should be a top priority for the team. Autry has been a reliable veteran presence for years and still can get to the QB. Autry is 33 and may not have a crazy market, so a one or two-year deal should suffice.

I would be fine with keeping just one of Moore or Westbrook-Ikhine, but I couldn’t decide which one. Both are reliable WR3 or 4 options and have their place on any roster. Cox is one of the best long snappers in the league and is a Tennessee native. Easy call there.

Davidson flashed at moments and is deserving of a chance to be brought into camp. Wallace outperformed Edmunds and even Kevin Byard, if we’re being honest. Wallace may not be a reliable starter, but he would be a great third safety.

Let Walk

• Ryan Tannehill

• Derrick Henry

• Aaron Brewer

• Sean Murphy-Bunting

• Terrell Edmunds

• Kristian Fulton

• Chris Hubbard

• Trevis Gipson

• Trevon Wesco

• Corey Levin

• Joe Jones

• Ross Blacklock

Tannehill and Henry will always be remembered for restoring the Titans to relevancy. The duo were a major part of the team that made it to the 2020 AFC Championship Game. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and the Titans need to embrace a youth movement. I know it will be hard to see Henry play elsewhere, but it makes sense. Henry wants a ring, and he won’t get one in Nashville any time soon. The Titans also don’t need to break the bank for a 30-year-old RB, especially when Tyjae Spears showed so much promise in 2023.

In my opinion, it wouldn’t be too hard to upgrade over Aaron Brewer. Spotrac projects the center to command over $5M in free agency, which is way too steep for my blood.

SMB, Edmunds, and Fulton were all frustrating to watch in 2023. I wouldn’t mind SMB back on a one-year deal, but he could probably command more on the market. Edmunds failed to show much and was outplayed by K’Von Wallace. Fulton sucked in 2023. The once-promising corner got gashed frequently and should be playing elsewhere next season.

Chris Hubbard and Corey Levin are fine veteran depth options on the line, but you can find equal or better options in the draft. Trevis Gipson and Ross Blacklock are the defensive versions of Hubbard and Levin- decent depth options, but if you can’t re-sign them quickly and for cheap, move on. Joe Jones is just a guy.

Trevon Wesco was a non-factor in 2023. If you’re looking for a TE3/FB, there are better options abound.

Free Agent Targets

As discussed above, the Titans will have plenty of money to spend in 2024. The most pressing team needs are offensive line, secondary, and wide receiver. You could make the argument that Peter Skoronski is the only offensive lineman from 2023 who should remain a starter in 2024. In the secondary, I believe Wallace should get a shot to earn the job opposite Amani Hooker, but also wouldn’t oppose a safety addition. A couple of corners need to be added since I have Fulton and SMB leaving. The receiver position is in good hands at the top with DeAndre Hopkins, but the rest of the room needs work.

Below, I’m going to list a few tiers of free agents. Some will be higher-priced and some will be bargain bin guys. Let’s dive into it.

Tee Higgins, WR

Higgins is the dream target for any Titan fan. The big-bodied receiver hails from nearby Oak Ridge and spent time in Cincinnati with Brian Callahan. I believe Higgins would be a perfect fit in Nashville, and he could form one of the league’s deadliest duos with Hopkins.

The problem here is that Higgins may get franchise tagged. There’s a possibility that he could be traded, but it would require a ton of draft capital in all likelihood. Still, Higgins would be a game-changer and I would love to see this happen.

Tyler Boyd, WR

Speaking of Bengal receivers, Boyd represents a more experienced and much cheaper option. Boyd is nowhere near the level of receiver that Higgins is, but he has crossed 1,000 yards multiple times. Spotrac projects the veteran to land around $8.7M, which is reasonable for the Titans.

I believe Boyd’s familiarity with Callahan would help the negotiations. Boyd would be a solid WR3 behind Hopkins and a presumed rookie.

Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR

Another cheap option, Peoples-Jones would be a solid option for a couple of reasons. For one, Peoples-Jones is only 25 still and has an 800+ yard season under his belt. Additionally, the receiver doubles as a punt returner, which the Titans badly need. Peoples-Jones returned 13 punts for 84 yards in 2023. In 2022, he returned 18 punts for 223 yards including a 76-yard score.

Spotrac projects just a $2.7M salary for Peoples-Jones, so he could be brought in addition to one of the other receivers.

Mike Onwenu, OL

As I mentioned above, the Titans need help all along the line. Onwenu is a quality lineman who earned a stellar 71.5 PFF grade in 2023 for the New England Patriots.

Onwenu is primarily a right tackle, but he has started a ton of games at guard as well. That versatility will likely make Onwenu a hot commodity, but as mentioned above, the Titans can outbid most teams. Onwenu would be a solid veteran addition to a line that badly needs stability.

Connor Williams, C

As mentioned above, the Titans can do better than Aaron Brewer at center. Williams is probably the best option on the market and would be an immediate upgrade. Spotrac projects Williams to command around $13.5M, so the team would have to pay a pretty penny to get him. It would be worth it though as Williams earned an incredible 86.5 PFF grade in 2023.

Yosh Nijman, OL

If the Titans want to go bargain bin shopping, Nijman is a nice swing tackle option. Think of a younger Chris Hubbard who has some potential. Similar to Donovan Peoples-Jones at receiver, Nijman’s price won’t be prohibitive if the team wants to bring in one of the higher-priced options as well.

Chidobe Awuzie, CB

Sticking with the Bengals theme, Awuzie is also familiar with Brian Callahan. Hopefully, that connection can bring Awuzie to the Music City, as the Titans desperately need solid corners.

Awuzie had a nice 62.6 PFF grade in 2023 and racked up 46 tackles. Considering I had SMB and Fulton leaving, Awuzie would be a solid replacement option. The corner made just over $7M in 2023, so he wouldn’t break the bank.

Stephon Gilmore, CB

Gilmore had a solid bounce-back season with the Dallas Cowboys in 2023. The corner was once one of the best corners in the league but has now taken a step back. Still, Gilmore is a solid veteran option who can still cover. Spotrac projects Gilmore to land over $11M per year, so more expensive than Awuzie. However, the Titans need proven cover guys, and Gilmore is exactly that.

Geno Stone, S

Geno Stone burst onto the NFL scene in 2023. After a few seasons as a depth/rotational piece, Stone came into his own in 2023 with the Baltimore Ravens. The defensive back collected 7 interceptions and 50 tackles. Stone also earned a fabulous 71.9 PFF grade.

The fit with Stone and the Titans makes sense. For one, the Titans need safety help. Secondly, the new defensive coordinator is Dennard Wilson, who previously worked as the defensive backs coach in Baltimore. That knowledge may make Stone comfortable in Nashville, and the DB would likely be a starter.

2024 NFL Draft

The Tennessee Titans currently have the No. 7 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Most mock drafts have the team selecting a left tackle, with most suggesting Notre Dame’s Joe Alt. This is probably the route the team will go, but I’m going to go over a few options today. Below are the most realistic options for the team in the first round.

Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

Alt is considered by many to be the surest thing at the left tackle position. Alt is huge, standing at 6’8” and weighing in at 322 pounds. The tackle is proficient at both pass and run blocking but will need to adjust the size and speed of NFL pass rushers. Some are concerned with Alt’s stiffness, but I believe he will adjust given time. The tackle is a Mike McGlinchey-type who should be a starter for a decade in the league.

This is the safest option. It’s not sexy, but it’s what the team needs. You’d have to feel pretty good with Peter Skoronski and Joe Alt anchoring the line for years to come.

Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

This seems like a luxury pick, but Bowers is one of the most talented tight end prospects to ever come out. Look at the truly elite teams, and many of them have an elite tight end: the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and Baltimore Ravens are examples.

Bowers would immediately give the Titans’ offense another dimension that would be tough to gameplan for. I believe the upside of an elite TE may be too much to pass up at the No. 7 pick.

Trade down

This may not be the sexiest decision either, but it makes sense. The Titans only have 2 picks inside of the top 100 and have many needs. Trading back with the Las Vegas Raiders, for example, would net the Titans an extra pick or two. Ultimately, if Alt or Bowers are off the board, I would prefer to go the trade route.