Three Weeks into NFL Free Agency, Ran Carthon Has Tennessee Titans Rebuilding Project on Fast Track

The Tennessee Titans have "needs all over the field, so credit to GM Ran Carthon for recognizing the deficiencies and addressing them decisively in his first year without former coach Mike Vrabel," Jeremy Fowler wrote on ESPN.com.

Newly acquired cornerback for the Tennessee Titans L'Jarius Sneed fields questions at his press / Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA

NASHVILLE — NFL observers are recognizing that Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon is a smart shopper.

Entering this offseason with an abundance of salary cap space, Carthon in three weeks has acquired nine important pieces that have the Titans' rebuilding project on a fast track.

The most recent acquisition — former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback and Super Bowl champion L'Jarius Sneed — was a trade and sign that potentially transforms the Titans pass defense.

The Titans now have $24,714,744 in effective cap space, according to overthecap.com. Effective cap space differs from regular cap space by taking into account the cost of signing the incoming draft class and constructing an initial 53-man roster.

Carthon had started the 2024 offseason with $72,534,425 in effective cap space. Starting on March 13 — opening day for signing free agents — the Titans have acquired:

• a 1,000-yard running back, Tony Pollard;
• an upgrade at center, Lloyd Cushenberry;
• a 1,000-yard wide receiver, Calvin Ridley;
• another starting cornerback, Chidobe Awuzie;
• a starting inside linebacker, Kenneth Murray Jr.;
• depth on the offensive line, Saahdiq Charles;
• a backup quarterback, Mason Rudolph;
• a veteran defensive lineman, Sebastian Joseph-Day;
• and traded for L'Jarius Sneed.

Carthon's moves are slowly changing the national narrative about the Titans. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recognized Tennessee as one of the most improved teams — before the Sneed trade.

"Tennessee has needs all over the field, so credit to GM Ran Carthon for recognizing the deficiencies and addressing them decisively in his first year without former coach Mike Vrabel," Fowler wrote on ESPN.com. "Calvin Ridley is a game-changer. Center Lloyd Cushenberry, running back Tony Pollard, linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr., and corner Chidobe Awuzie will make immediate impacts."

The Titans start their offseason program on April 8, which will allow the new players to work with the coaching staff led by first-year coach Brian Callahan.

Carthon said his focus now is on the April 25-27 NFL Draft, where the Titans are projected to take Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt with the No. 7 overall pick.

The Titans have made progress, but several positions — safety, linebacker, offensive and defensive line — still need attention. Another wide receiver also would be helpful. The good news is that the Titans still have some funds available to address these concerns once they have finished dealing with the draft class.

"It's a plethora of guys that have played a ton of ball in the league," Carthon said of NFL free agents still available. "We visited some guys and we're going to continue to do our due diligence on those guys and see where the market brings us. But right now, like I said, we start draft meetings next week. ... That takes precedence right now, to fine-tune that plan and bring everybody together on that. But there are a lot of good players still on the street that can help us."

Related Titans stories

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• LEARNING CURVE ON KICKOFFS: The NFL changed its kickoff rules to encourage more returns. Tennessee Titans GM Ran Carthon says "the preseason is going to be very important for us ... to figure out how we're going to be able to execute that play for us to start the game, because it's really going to be the first offensive snap." CLICK HERE
• L'JARIUS SNEED'S ATTITUDE: The Titans new cornerback said, "I'm a helluva player, I love my game, I'm not afraid to lose, but I'm gonna win every rep." CLICK HERE
• TACKLING TECHNIQUE BANNED: Tennessee Titans defenders no longer can use the "swivel hip-drop tackle" to bring down ball carriers. The NFL says the new rule will reduce serious injuries. The players union is opposed to the change. CLICK HERE