Titans’ Offseason Positional Preview: Tight Ends
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans had one of the worst, if not the worst, tight end room in the NFL in 2021. Seeing what they were able to do in 2022 with additions like Austin Hooper and Chig Okonkwo was a pleasant, but needed surprise. Now, the tight end room may be in for another big change. The Titans have some tough decisions ahead as they try to keep the group at the 2022 level or improve.
Under Contract
Chig Okonkwo - $996k Cap Hit
Okonkwo was one of the best tight ends in the NFL last year, let alone the best rookie tight end in the league. Okonkwo put up 32 catches for 450 yards and three touchdown catches while only playing 37% of the offensive snaps. Okonkwo obviously needs to continue to improve, but it is downright malpractice that Okonkwo played as little as he did in an offense that desperately needed his explosiveness.
Snap count should not be an issue in 2023 as logic would dictate the Titans feature Okonkwo as the primary tight end in the offense. Okonkwo will need to improve as a blocker to take the next step in his development, but he improved in this aspect as the year went on and even if the development is slow, what he brings as a receiving threat is too impactful to ignore. At his salary, there is zero question what Okonkwo’s status is with the team heading into 2023.
Kevin Rader - $1 million Cap Hit
Rader played a small role for the Titans last year. He was the third or fourth tight end depending on health and doubled as a fullback at times as well. While players like Rader have value, it is hard to see the Titans paying him a million bucks. Rader has no guaranteed money on his deal so the expectation should be he is released. Potentially Rader could come back, but Rader had zero catches for zero yards in 14 games. He did play 52% of special teams snaps during his time with the team, but you can find that for cheaper.
Thomas Udokoya - $750k Cap Hit
Justin Riggs - $750K Cap Hit
Both Udokoya and Riggs are currently on futures contracts with the Titans which is essentially a training camp invite contract. Neither have any guaranteed money on their contracts and both are long shots to make the roster. Neither should impact the Titans’ moves at the position in free agency or in the NFL Draft.
Pending Free Agents
Austin Hooper
Hooper was the Titans’ most consistent tight end all season. He finished the year with 41 catches, 441 yards and two touchdown catches. He filled his role well as a passing down specialist, but that is all Hooper is at this stage in his career. He’s not a consistent or good enough blocker to be an every-down tight end now. He played well for Tennessee no doubt, but with the emergence of Chig Okonkwo and Okonkwo’s blocking not being his best asset as well, it is just hard to justify paying Hooper close to $7 million this year(as he made in 2022).
The Titans should be giving most of what Hooper’s role was to Okonkwo in 2023 and it is hard to feature two tight ends that aren’t better blockers. Ideally, the Titans would pair Okonkwo with a better blocking tight end as the top two on the depth chart. If not, you run the risk of having a Geoff Swaim situation. One that requires you to always have your third-best tight end on the field so you have one reliable blocker. The Titans can’t afford to have that happen again.
Geoff Swaim
Speaking of Swaim, he is also a free agent and the Titans would be wise to move on. Swaim is known as a blocker, but struggled far too often in that role last season. He also isn’t dangerous enough as a pass catcher to truly threaten a defense. So, if you can’t threaten the defense as a passing option and you can’t be consistent as a blocker, what role can you serve?
The answer for the Titans should be no role at all. The Titans do need a Swaim-type at tight end. That style of player on a cheaper contract would make sense. In fairness to Swaim, he didn’t ask to be the Titans number one tight end most Sundays, but the roster needs to be built to where that is not a possible outcome.
Taylor Lewan Released: In an expected move, the Tennessee Titans have officially released left tackle Taylor Lewan. With Lewan's release, it appears likely that Tennessee will begin looking for a new long-term starter at left tackle, whether through free agency or the draft. CLICK HERE
Robert Woods Released: According to a report from Jordan Schultz, the Titans are releasing veteran wide receiver Robert Woods. The move will clear $12 million in cap space while leaving behind $2.6 million in dead money. CLICK HERE
Titans' Free Agent Fits - Offensive Tackle: The biggest need the Tennessee Titans have on the roster right now is at left tackle. There will be a bevy of viable options to fill that need in free agency this offseason, at all price points. CLICK HERE
