Bleav in Titans

After they selected tackle JC Latham in the first round, the Tennessee Titans doubled down on big men when they chose Texas defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat, the 2023 Outland Trophy winner, in the second round. At 366 pounds, Sweat is the heaviest draft pick in franchise history, topping by just a couple pounds the mark Latham set a day earlier. ... The last time Tennessee drafted a player who weighed 350 pounds or more, things did not work out well. It won't take much for one or both of these guys to do much better. ... In addition to his size, Sweat arrives with some sizable question marks, primarily whether he can be an every-down player and whether a recent DWI incident is indicative of character issues. Some felt the Titans could have gotten him much later in the draft, but it is easy to imagine how his bulk could make a huge difference on the defense. ... Among the third-day picks, two of them could combine to make a complete player, one followed one of his college teammates to the Titans, and one looks to be very much in the mold of a couple of this year's free-agent additions.

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The Tennessee Titans surprised virtually no one when they selected a tackle in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. With a glaring need at the position and a host of top prospects available, they went with Alabama's JC Latham (6-foot-6, 360 pounds), who was a two-year starter at right tackle in college. ... Latham is unusually athletic for his size was a left tackle in high school, where he became the country's top-ranked offensive line prospect, and impressed Titans coaches during pre-draft interviews. All of that factors into the team's belief that his transition to the left side in the NFL will be smooth. ... Oddsmakers had Notre Dame's Joe Alt as the Titans' most likely selection, but he ultimately was not available when Tennessee was on the clock at No. 7. Indications are, though, that the Titans might have taken Latham even if Alt was available. ... In addition to the tackles, there were other notable prospects at several positions available to the Titans. Plus, a number of teams called with trade offers. Ultimately, though, general manager Ran Carthon elected to stay put and go with Latham. ... In his post-draft press conference, Latham came across as intelligent, well-spoken, enthusiastic and highly motivated, all of which should make him someone Titans fans easily can root for. ... Latham's addition seemingly settles things on the left side of the offebnsive line. The right side, however, is a different issue. ... With two days and seven rounds remaining in the draft, the Titans still have needs to fill. They hold the sixth pick of the second round, which likely will generate more trade opoportunities, and then won't pick again until the fourth round.

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With one week to go before the 2024 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans still hold the No. 7 overall selection. Speculation on who they will pick there centers on Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt, who projects as a player who could step in immediately at left tackle. Former NFL executive Mark Dominik said this week, however, that the Titans can still get a good tackle in the second round (No. 38 overall) and are likely to go in a different direction with their first choice. ... Dominik also classified wide receiver as a "luxury pick" for the Titans and suggested that they will not use any of their seven draft picks on that position. ... With so much speculation about adding to the offense, what about the defense. Specifically, what about edge rusher given that the Titans' sack leader from a year ago, Denico Autry, is now with the Houston Texans? ... Tennessee has added another tackle already this week when it traded with Cleveland for Leroy Watson, who played just 55 sacks last year but worked under the Titans' current offensive line coach Bill Callahan. ... Similarly, one former Titans tackle, Andre Dillard, has a new team. He becomes the latest tackle to get another opportunity after a failing spectacularly with Tennessee.

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When he addressed his players at the start of the offseason program, first-year coach Brian Callahan said he wants the Tennessee Titans to be "relentless and resilient." Another professional sports team in Nashville has gotten a lot of mileage recently out of the former while not long ago the Titans showed plenty of the latter. ... Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson continues to entertain in his media sessions. In his latest, he talked about how he will not let opposing offenses dictate what his unit does and his notion that the game is played 11-on-1. ... Offensive coordinator Nick Holz won't have to familiarize himself with free-agent wide receiver Calvin Ridley. The two were together last season in Jacksonville, and Holz shared some insights about what the Titans and their fans should expect to see. ... One position group that has gone largely overlooked this offseason is tight end. The Titans have not yet added anyone at that position, and the returning players do not offer a lot of experience or a history of production. ... A red flag was raised with one draft prospect a day before he was to meet with the Titans. The only way to know what impact that will have is to wait and see whether the Titans -- given the opportunity -- actually draft him.

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When he met the Nashville media for the first time, recently acquired cornerback L'Jarius Sneed declared himself "a hell of a player." The personal assessment came off as well-earned confidence as opposed to blustery arrogance and given his play for the Kansas City Chiefs in recent years, it is easy to understand why he feels that way. ... The pairing of Sneed and free-agent addition Chidoe Awuzie gives the Titans a well-matched pair of cornerbacks who will attempt to create a clear identity under new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. ... With those cornerbacks and free-agent wide receiver Calvin Ridley, general manager Ran Carthon and his staff addressed two of the team's biggest offseason positional needs. Offensive line still needs obvious attention, likely with the first-round pick in this year's draft. But what other position or positions should the Titans address in the 2024 NFL Draft. ... The Titans are not the only AFC South team that made a big change recently. Days after the Sneed deal, the Houston Texans acquired wide receiver Stefon Diggs in a trade with Buffalo. That made an already good offseason for the Texans even better, but the good news for the Titans is that Sneed has a history of keeping Diggs in check.

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The Tennessee Titans' offseason spending spree continued with the acquisition of cornerback L'Jarius Sneed in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs. The transaction did not cost the Titans much in terms of what they sent to the Chiefs, but they did agree to a four-year, $76.4 million contract extension with Sneed. ... The trade not only solidifies Tennessee's depth chart at the position, it gives them arguably their best group of cornerbacks in recent memory. And given what Sneed accomplished in his years with Kansas City, he has a chance to be the franchise's best cornerback of the Titans era. ...The additions of Sneed and fellow cornerback Chidobe Awuzie do not mean that Carthon and Co. are done restocking the secondary. There are plenty of veteran safeties available, and it seems likely the Titans eventually will add one of them. ... The Los Angeles Chargers currently have the fifth overall pick in the 2024 draft, and their coach, Jim Harbaugh, has indicated that he would like to build his team's offensive line. Given the Titans' needs up front, it is possible that the Chargers could have a major impact on what Tennessee does with its first pick, No. 7 overall. ... The NFL announced a major change to kickoff rules this week based on what took place last spring in the XFL. The idea is to make it a more exciting play than it has been in recent years but far less dangerous than it has been historically.

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The Tennessee Titans filled their opening for a backup quarterback when they signed Mason Rudolph to a one-year, $2.87 million contract. In six seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the 2018 third-round pick started just 13 games but one eight (with one tie). His deal means the current quarterbacks will count fewer than $7 million against the Titans' salary cap, a far cry from a year ago when Ryan Tannehill's cap hit was more than $36 million. ... Speaking of Tannehill, the now-former Tennessee quarterback remains unsigned and clearly is the best available player at his position. It is not clear whether he has not found the opportunity or deal that he seeks, or if he is better served waiting until after the draft to find a new home. It seems likely, however, that the rest of the league doesn't see his potential role the same way he does. ... Two less-heralded deals went to players on the defense, lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day and linebacker Kenneth Murry. Day was a sixth-round pick in 2018 who quickly established himself as a reliable and versatile -- if not spectacular -- performer. Murray, on the other hand, never has lived up to his status as a 2020 first-round selection, but at 25 there is a chance his best days are to come -- and that a change of scenery could help.

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The Tennessee Titans made a big splash in the opening hours of the NFL's 2024 free agent signing period when they agreed to terms with wide receiver Calvin Ridley on a four-year, $92 million contract. ... All of the talk during the legal tampering period was that Ridley would choose between his former team, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the New England Patriots. The Titans, however, had plenty of money to spend, and they ultimately threw a lot of it at Ridley, a 2018 first-round draft pick by Atlanta who has twice topped 1,000 receiving yards in a season. ... Ridley will team with DeAndre Hopkins to give the Titans what looks to be one of their most potent receiving tandems ever. But does it completely eliminate the possibility that they will use their first-round pick in next month's draft on a wide receiver? Not necessarily. ... Ridley is not the only player the Titans have added early in free agency. Far from it. In Lloyd Cushenberry, they have a center who is a proven starter but is young enough for franchise officials to believe his best days are still ahead of him. What is certain is that he is much larger and more physically imposing than the man he replaces, Aaron Brewer. ... Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie steps into a defensive backfield that was inconsistent (at best) in 2024. In the last three years at Cincinnati, he showed position versatility and established himself as a reliable tackler. ... Running back Tony Pollard joins last year's third-round pick Tyjae Spears in the backfield. He also changes the dynamic of the position group, relative to recent years when franchise officials liked to have complementary pieces. Pollard and Spears have much in common when it comes to their skill sets. ... The man Pollard effectively replaced, Derrick Henry, has moved on to another team, one that has a history of signing former Titans stars late in their careers. ... Two starters on last season's defense, Denico Autry and Azeez Al-Shaair, moved on as well -- to a division rival.

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The Tennessee Titans opted not to use their franchise or transition tags on running back Derrick Henry or anyone else. Instead, general manager Ran Carthon and the rest of the personnel staff held opted to look ahead to the free agency signing period, which starts in a week. Tennessee will enter the start of the new league year more than $75 million under the salary cap, which means it has more to spend than all but two other NFL franchises. ... After a 6-11 season, the Titans have no shortage of personnel needs, which means there are plenty of potential free-agent targets available. We look at who Carthon and Co. might want at obvious positions of need such as tackle or wide receiver as well as other spots. ... In stark contrast to Tennessee, the Buffalo Bills have shed salary in recent days and have cut a handful of notable players, at least of couple of whom ought to be of interest to the Titans. ... Similarly, the Philadelphia Eagles recently released Kevin Bayrd. So, what is likely next for the former Tennessee Titans safety? ... Free agency is bound to shape what the Titans do in the draft overall, but what happens with the first six overall picks in that draft will be the biggest factor in what the Titans do with their first selection, No. 7 overall. The apparent rise of one quarterback prospect could play a prominent role in that scenario. ... Since it looks as if Henry is headed to free agency, what is his most likely destination for the 2024 season?

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The Tennessee Titans started the week with three more additions to their coaching staff. One new assistant coach has direct ties to the head man, Brian Callahan. Another, like Callahan, is a second-generation coach. ... As the NFL free agency period approaches, the Titans have made no noticeable moves to retain any players whose contracts will soon expire. They also have a bunch of money to spend once the signing period commences. ... Some big-name wide receivers around the league are in the final weeks of their current contracts and could be available soon, but the one guy among them who makes the most sense (and who most excites the fan base) likely will not be available once the time comes. ... Largely overlooked among Tennessee's current needs is an experienced backup quarterback who can help Will Levis and keep the offense going, if needed. One such player who has proven himself in that regard (and who has beaten the Titans) is headed to free agency and makes a lot of sense. ... Cornerback is another area of need. It is also a challenge to find the right fit at that position on the free-agent market. ... After free agency comes the draft. Right now, the Titans have the seventh overall pick (first round) and 38th overall pick (second round) with no third-round selection. Which would be better: Make those two picks as scheduled early in those rounds or trade one or both in order to amass more selections overall? ... Like every other team, Tennessee still has time to re-sign some of its players and keep them from free agency. Among those in that situation, there is one member of the 2023 Titans who franchise officials should do what they can to make sure he is a member of the 2024 Titans.

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