One Position The Titans Could Still Improve In Free Agency

While there are multiple positions with which the Tennessee Titans could stand to upgrade either their starters or their depth, there are two that stand out at present.

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

NASHVILLE - A closer examination of the current Tennessee Titans roster after the first three days of their organized team activities, there is one position where this team could still look toward free agency for potential upgrades to their depth.    

As it currently stands, there appears to be a hole in the depth chart at the edge rusher position for the Titans. 

Harold Landry is returning from a season-ending ACL injury a season ago, and it is not often that a player returning from similar injuries has played up to their previous form in the first season following that surgery. 

Then there is Arden Key, who signed as a free agent and looked impressive in his first Titans practice with the media present. 

Entering his third season, Rashad Weaver has shown flashes of ability and should be poised to step into a more significant role this season. 

After that, the depth chart is filled with unproven and undrafted players, such as 2022 undrafted free agent Zach McCloud and 2023 undrafted Caleb Murphy or Thomas Rush.   

While the majority of top free agents have been signed away, a surprising amount of talent is still available for the Titans should they decide to add a veteran at the edge. 

The best of the bunch, Leonard Floyd, would be a big-time addition, though he is likely looking for a big-time payday in the range of $13 million for this season. 

Since Chicago for the Rams, Floyd has amassed 29 sacks and 59 quarterback hits in his three seasons in L.A. However, He will soon turn 31 but is still a top-level pass rusher and still plays almost every down. Floyd totaled at least 900 snaps each season with the Rams and hasn’t missed a start in any of the last five seasons on the west coast.

Frank Clark, 29, is another pass rush option, though he too would bring a high price tag of around $12.4 million. 

Likewise, former Jaguars edge Yannick Ngakoue, now 28, is also available in the same range as Floyd. Dawuane Smoot, 28, is also still on the market and would be in the $13.7 million range.   

Then there are some cheaper options, though with a higher age attached, in Justin Houston and Akiem Hicks. 

Houston, who is 34 and has been a pass-rush terror for years, could be had in the $5.3 million range and would be a third-down pass-rush specialist to pair with Weaver on the second team.   

As for Hicks, now 33, he too would likely bring somewhere in the neighborhood of $5.5 million for the season. 

Lastly. 27-year-old Da'Shawn Hand, who spent last season with the Titans, and wasn't overly impressive, would command just $503,000 but would add experience over the current depth options available on the roster. 

In a perfect world, the Titans would be flush with cap cash and be able to sign Floyd to a deal, but that's unlikely, considering their current financial situation. 

However,  Houston, Hicks, and Hand would all bring experience and a level of security not seen past the top three current rushers on the Titans roster.  

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