Countdown to NFL Free Agency: Titans Can Begin Signing New Players March 13

The Tennessee Titans have nearly $70 million in effective salary cap space to begin addressing critical needs — offensive line, the passing game, and the defensive secondary. A couple wide receivers, Tee Higgins and Mike Evans, are reportedly off the board.

NASHVILLE — NFL free agency, the next big moment in the reconstruction of the Tennessee Titans, is here in a week.

NFL teams can begin talking with free agents on Monday, March 11, and begin signing free agents at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13.

According to OverTheCap.com, general manager Ran Carthon will have nearly $70 million in effective salary cap space to begin addressing critical needs — offensive line, the passing game, and the defensive secondary. 

Last week's NFL Scouting Combine zeroed in on the talent that will be available in April 25-27 NFL Draft, but free agency is the most immediate rebuilding block for the Titans.

And a couple wide receivers are reportedly off the board:

• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have re-signed Mike Evans for two years and $52 million.
• The Cincinnati Bengals have put the franchise tag on Tee Higgins and, barring an extension, will pay him $21 million for the 2024 season. Any NFL team interested in trading likely would have to pony up high draft picks.

Don't expect the Titans to franchise-tag anyone — see Derrick Henry — by Tuesday's deadline. 

He's one of 24 Tennessee free agents, but Carthon has consistently said the team is open to re-signing Henry.

"Derrick (Henry) and I had a good conversation on the way out, and he knows where we are, and we know where he is," Carthon said at the 2024 NFL Combine. "I think you guys that have been around a year know that we don't really talk about players' contract status in public. But we'll be well-positioned to do whatever we need to do. However, when those conversations will need to be had, we'll have them with Derrick and his team."

Despite expressing dissatisfaction with his performance in the Titans' 6-11 season last year, Henry had 1,167 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns, and made his fourth Pro Bowl. According to Pro Football Focus, Henry could command a two-year contract with an average annual salary of $10 million.

Some of the most attractive free agents are expected to be:

Wide receivers

• Calvin Ridley, whom Titans quarterback Will Levis recently singled out for praise.
• Marquise Brown, the Arizona deep threat whom Pro Football Focus ranks 17th among all available free agents.

Cornerbacks

• Jaylon Johnson, the highest-graded corner in 2023 who likely will command a high salary, around $19 million a year.
• Chidobe Awuzie, a Cincinnati Bengal who is familiar to Titans coach Brian Callahan and who would cost $8 million less a year than Johnson.

Offensive tackles

• Tyron Smith, a perennial Pro Bowler with the Cowboys and also 33 years old.
• New England's Mike Onwenu, only 26 and possibly available for multiple seasons. 

While the Titans have a surplus of salary cap space, Carthon said the team will be prudent with its choices. 

"I know that's what everyone is talking about, and how much we have, but we have to spend wisely," Carthon said. "We don't want to just load up and just go spend money. Again, we're trying to build a long-term, consistent thing, and you can't do that by spending all $90 million out front. We’ve got to be patient."

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