Bleav in Titans

In recent years, the Tennessee Titans have made some notable selections on Day 2 of the NFL Draft. In 2016, for example, they came away with running back Derrick Henry in the second round and safety Kevin Byard in the third round. Two years later, they got outside linebacker Harold Landry with the 41st overall pick, which is exactly where they are scheduled to pick in this year's second round. Thoughts on what general manager Ran Carthon and his staff should do on Day 2 this year include a majority in favor of a tight end in the second round and help for the offensive line in the third round. ... Speaking of Byard, the two-time All-Pro became the lasted Titans player mentioned as someone who could be traded. That puts him in good company with Henry and quarterback Ryan Tannehill. No one expects all three to go, but which is most likely to be dealt depends on which member of the Bleav in Titans panel you believe.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jeffery Simmons' four-year, $94 million contract extension makes him the NFL's highest-paid defensive tackle in terms of guaranteed money ($66.91 million) and second to Aaron Donald in terms of average money over the next three seasons ($23.5 million). ... The deal means the Titans have Simmons' rights through the 2027 season. The structure of the contract, however, allows for Simmons to be released – not that such a thing seems likely at this moment – following the 2025 campaign. It also frees up more than $4 million of salary cap space for the current season. ... Most importantly, the transaction settles Tennessee's most pressing issue of the offseason and provides Simmons with the security and motivation that – given his personality – is likely to make him even more productive this year than he has been in his first four. ... According to current NFL mock drafts, three names come up most often in connection to the Titans and their first-round pick (No. 11 overall). They are: Ohio State tackle Paris Johnson Jr.; Kentucky quarterback Will Levis; and Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. A look at what likely appeals to the Titans in regard to each of the three and opinions on which would be the best fit, if all three are available when Tennessee picks.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Numerous reports say the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals are engaged in talks that would result in the Titans getting the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Tennessee currently has six overall selections, the first of which is No. 11. ... If the Titans move up to No. 3, it almost certainly is because they want to pick a quarterback, and – barring a surprise in the first two selections – they will have a choice between Florida's Anthony Richardson and Kentucky's Will Levis. We look at both and what the Titans might be thinking in that regard. ... Tennessee's six overall selections do not amount to a ton of draft capital. In fact, based on value charts, all six picks are not enough to move from No. 11 to No. 3. So, we look at what it might take for the Titans to make such a move. ... Other reports say Tennessee and San Francisco are exploring a deal that would involve a swap of young quarterbacks Malik Willis, a third-round pick by the Titans in 2022, and Trey Lance, the No. 3 overall selection by San Francisco in 2021. General manager Ran Carthon has a history with Lance, which makes his reported interest in that move understandable. ... Assuming the Titans don't make any major moves and use the six picks they currently have, which positions should they prioritize in this year's draft? Offensive line and wide receiver are obvious. Opinions about the importance of adding a tight end in the draft differ.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When asked about his quarterback situation at the latest NFL owners' meetings, Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel said he would not guarantee that Ryan Tannehill would be the guy when the regular season started. His reluctance is understandable given what he said – and what ultimately happened – last offseason with wide receiver A.J. Brown. So, is it simply caution on Vrabel's part, or is there a legitimate chance that the franchise could make a change at the most important position on the field? ... Speaking of quarterbacks, Vrabel and/or general manager Ran Carthon have been or will be at the pro day workouts of the top five quarterback prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. Either they simply are being thorough in their pre-daft prep or – if given the opportunity – the Titans will draft a quarterback for the second straight year. If Tennessee takes one of those top prospects, the panel looks at what it will mean for Tannehill and his current backup, Malik Willis. ... Betonline.ag currently has the over/under for Titans wins in 2023 at 7.5, which is one of the lowest in the NFL. It is still early in the offseason, but there is reason to believe that is a proper number. ... Finally, the Titans plan to wear Houston Oilers throwback uniforms for one game in 2023. Should it be when they face the Houston Texans, or would that be inappropriate?

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Several players were released early this offseason to create salary cap space. Apparently, the Tennessee Titans need more, and they have asked Pro Bowl safety Kevin Byard to take a pay cut. Thus far, Byard has refused, and reports indicate that he could be released if the sides can't reach an acceptable agreement to both. It is a stunning and potentially troublesome development in the minds of many Titans fans. ... The latest free-agent addition is veteran cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, a 2019 second-round pick who spent his first four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tennessee has spent a lot of draft capital at cornerback in recent years, who why are free agent dollars needed at that same position? ... Wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine did not immediately accept the Titans' first contract offer this offseason and elected to explore his options in free agency. Apparently, he did not find much, and quickly re-signed with Tennessee on a one-year deal. ... Westbrook-Ikhine's is the only deal the Titans have given to a wide receiver this offseason. It is an obvious position of need. So, is this an indication that franchise officials plan to address that spot in the draft? ... Two members of the 2022 Titans are moving on, including tackle Dennis Daley, who signed a two-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals. Many who watched him last season are glad to see Daley anywhere else but in Tennessee uniform.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

First-year general manager Ran Carthon leaned heavily on his San Francisco connections at the start of free agency. Three of the first five players with whom the Tennessee Titans agreed to contract terms spent at least one season with the 49ers while Carthon was a member of that front office. They are: inside linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, edge rusher Arden Key and guard Daniel Brunskill. All three have limited experience as starters in their careers but figure to plug prominent holes in Tennessee's lineup. ... The biggest deal, however, was to former Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Andre Dillard. His three-year, $29 million pact makes him the presumed replacement for Taylor Lewan at left tackle even though the 2019 first-round draft pick started just four games in his first four years in the league. ... Defensive lineman Teair Tart and offensive lineman Aaron Brewer were retained with restricted free agent tenders, and defensive lineman Naquan Jones will be back via an exclusive rights free agent tender. ... Linebacker Dvaid Long, defensive lineman Demarcus Walker and right guard Nate Davis agreed to deals with other teams and will move on. Long's departure is most unlikely given his importance to the defense in recent years and the fact that he agreed to surprisingly affordable terms with the Miami Dolphins. ... There is some intrigue with wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who declined the team's offer of a new contract so that he could weigh his options. If he does sign elsewhere, it will further diminish a wide receiver group that already is woefully short on players and production.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In recent days, one national media outlet reported that the Tennessee Titans and first-year general manager Ran Carthon are entertaining trade offers for running back Derrick Henry, who has one year remaining on his current contract and is a little more than one year removed from a serious foot injury. Hosts David Boclair, Denard Walker and John Glennon explore the possibility, the potential fan reaction and additional fallout related to the idea that the two-time NFL rushing champion could be in a different uniform this season. ... With or without Henry running the ball this season, the Titans need their offensive line to be better. The Kansas City Chiefs elected not to use the franchise tag on left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., which will make him one of this year's most coveted free agents. Denard Walker has expressed his admiration for Brown previously and continues to do so this week. Meantime, recently released Tennessee left tackle Taylor Lewan has made it known on social media that he would like the opportunity to take Brown's place in Kansas City. ... Speaking of social media, Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons has scrubbed all references to the Titans from his accounts. It is a move that stirs memories of last year's fallout with wide receiver A.J. Brown. But is it a sign of things to come for Simmons, who currently is scheduled to play this season on the fifth-year team option of his rookie contract. ... Finally, the Baltimore Ravens elected to use the non-exclusive franchise tender on quarterback Lamar Jackson, which means he is still free to get offers from other teams. A look at the potential fallout from that decision and whether it might impact how the Titans and the rest of the league do business in the future.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

General manager Ran Carthon and coach Mike Vrabel each answered questions about quarterback Ryan Tannehill this week while at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. What they said could not be considered an unqualified endorsement, but it does seem more likely than not that Tannehill will remain the man under center for Tennessee. ... With the 11th overall pick in this year's draft, the Titans are in position to make a move (or moves) to get one of this year's top rookie quarterbacks, if they so desire. Given all the more pressing needs for the roster, though, that is probably not the best course of action. ... As a first-year general manager, Carthon is doing what he can to familiarize himself with what his coaches want. And he has given every one of Vrabel's assistants an assignment to help him figure it all out. ... The NFLPA polled its membership about working conditions within their respective franchises, and the Titans ended up with a B- grade, ranked 18th out of the NFL's 32 franchises. The franchise's time in Tennessee shows just how important things like the quality of the locker room, the training room and travel amenities can be in a team's success. ... Tackle Taylor Lewan, wide receiver Robert Woods, inside linebacker Zach Cunningham and kicker Randy Bullock have been released. None of the moves was a complete shocker, and the reasoning behind them is obvious to all.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Tennessee Titans have been named as potential destinations for veteran quarterbacks Derek Carr, who has been released by the Las Vegas Raiders, and Aaron Rodgers, who might ask the Green Bay Packers to trade him. Of course, Tennessee still has Ryan Tannehill, their starter for three-plus seasons, under contract for 2023 and franchise officials have not said whether they plan to stick with him. Hosts David Boclair, John Glennon and Denard Walker weigh the merits of all three and how each one would impact other aspects of the roster construction. ... One position group that could be dramatically different from last season is edge rusher, where Harold Landry is on the mend from reconstructive knee surgery, Bud Dupree is a potential cap cut and Denico Autry is a much more viable option than most realized. A look at how that position group might shape up this season. ... The free agent signing period is still almost a month away, but the hosts serve up names they think could be – or should be – on the Titans' wish list.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII on Sunday when they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles. That makes two championships in four years for Patrick Mahomes and the rest, and during that span arguably no team has matched up better with them than the Tennessee Titans have. Does that mean Tennessee is closer to a championship than it appeared at the end of the 2022 regular season? ... Speaking of winning Super Bowls, the Titans are one of 12 NFL teams that never have done it. That group includes one that nearly did it a year ago (the Cincinnati Bengals) and several others that feature high-profile and highly productive young quarterbacks. So, is there one that looks capable of a breakthrough next season? Is it the Titans? If not, where do they stand on that list? ... Coach Mike Vrabel announced a host of changes to the coaching staff last week. Among them, Tim Kelly was promoted to offensive coordinator and Jason Houghtaling made a big jump from offensive line assistant to offensive line coach. Two others were demoted, Pat O'Hara from quarterbacks coach to pass game analyst and Luke Steckel from tight ends coach to run game analyst. Tony Dews was moved from running backs to tight ends, and a few others were added from the outside, including quarterbacks coach/pass game coordinator Charles London. What do these moves say about what the Titans want to do on offense from a personnel and scheme standpoint next season? ... Finally, Tennessee's former offensive coordinator, Todd Downing, has been hired by the New York Jets, a team reportedly interested in Ryan Tannehill. Does their familiarity with one another make the Jets a likely landing spot for Tannehill, if he is released or the Titans are willing to trade him?

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.