The Blueprint: Fixing the Tennessee Titans
The Titans earned the No. 1 overall pick. Now what? We break down the offseason for Tennessee's team
Team: Tennessee Titans
Decision Makers —
General Manager: Ran Carthon
Head Coach: Brian Callahan
Offensive Coordinator: Nick Holz
Defensive Coordinator: Dennard Wilson
Both Carthon and Callahan will be back in 2025. This will be Callahan’s second season and Carthon’s third. No key changes are expected at the top of the Titans’ decision-making group. No key players in the front office are expected to depart for promotions.
Blue Chip / Building Blocks —
DT Jeffery Simmons: Simmons has been one of the NFL’s best defensive tackles since being drafted in the first round of the 2019 draft. He’s the type of impact defender an entire defense can be built around, ala Chris Jones.
DT T’Vondre Sweat: Rarely do nose tackles have building block ability, but Sweat has the tools to be the NFL’s best big man in the 0-tech alignment.
WR Calvin Ridley: A savvy veteran, Ridley is the offense’s best player and one of the best route runners in the NFL. At 30 years old he’s nearing the end of his prime, but has a few years left in the tank.
LT JC Latham: The team’s 2024 first round selection, Latham is the future at left tackle.
LG Peter Skoronski: A first-round pick in 2023, Skoronski played well down the stretch this season at left guard. Paired with Latham, they form a potential strength on the offensive line to build around.
Free Agency —
Cap Space: $61M projected
Free Agents:
QB Mason Rudolph (starter)
RB Joshua Kelley
WR Tyler Boyd (starter)
WR Nick Westbrook-Ikine (starter)
TE Nick Vannett
C Daniel Brunskill (starter)
G Dillon Radunz (starter)
C Corey Levin
DL Sebastian Joseph-Day (starter)
DL James Lynch
DL Marlon Davidson
LB Jerome Baker (starter)
LB Luke Gifford
LB Garret Wallow
LB Raekwon McMillan
S Quandre Diggs (starter)
S Daryl Worley (starter)
K Nick Folk
Cut/Trade Candidates:
DE Harold Landry — Landry is one of the team’s best players, but a post-June 1 cut would save $17.5 million. One of the toughest decisions for Carthon’s front office will be deciding which veterans are culture-building pieces. Landry will be among the first players discussed when weighing his locker room and on-field value versus the cap savings. Verdict: Landry is too valuable to release given the team’s flush wallet with $61 million in cap space.
LB Kenneth Murray — Murray was a starter but a non-factor as the team continues to struggle to find an impact off-ball linebacker. Moving on from the veteran would save $7.5 million. Verdict: This is an easier decision. A remake is needed at the linebacker corps and the $7.5 million saved on Murray would afford the Titans room to pursue a much better player at the position.
QB Will Levis — Just two seasons in on a rookie contract that pays him $5.6 million over the next two seasons, moving on from Levis isn’t about cap savings. The argument for moving him would be to free up a roster spot and allow a rookie quarterback room to grow as the unquestioned leader in the locker room. Verdict: Levis should be traded for a late round draft pick. We saw this plenty last offseason as players like Kenny Pickett, Sam Howell and Justin Fields were moved to make room for new quarterbacks.
Free Agent Targets:
QB — Signing a veteran to mentor a young quarterback is an absolute. Key targets: Mason Rudolph (benefit that he knows the offense), Jacoby Brissett, Cooper Rush
WR — The obvious connection will be to free agent wide receiver Tee Higgins given his history with Brian Callahan; and he should be the team’s top overall free agent target. Re-signing Nick Westbrook-Ikine as a third receiver would also be a priority.
RT — In a draft class weak at tackle, finding a solid starter in free agency will be crucial. Cody Ford has been solid at right guard and right tackle for the Bengals and will be available in free agency.
RG — If Dillon Radunz isn’t re-signed, attacking the position with a mid-level free agent makes sense. Mekhi Becton has rehabbed his career in Philadelphia and has experience at guard and tackle. Similarly, Teven Jenkins should be available with dual-position experience.
OLB — Outside of Higgins, this is where the Titans should spend money to find a quality player opposite Landry. Josh Sweat from Philadelphia would be our top defensive target with his speed and ability to play in a stand-up rusher role.
LB — As mentioned above, it’s time to find a good starter instead of turning over this position yearly. Nick Bolton would be a good mid-level starter who can be a big impact against the run. If the Titans wanted to splurge, likely All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun is set to hit free agency.
S — Keeping the veteran leadership and on-field play of Quandre Diggs would be a must for us, but that doesn’t mean the team can’t also be aggressive in courting free safety Jevon Holland in free agency from the Miami Dolphins.
2025 NFL Mock Draft —
Draft Position: No. 1 overall
Draft Picks: 7
1.1 — Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
2.35 — Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
3.66 — traded to KC Chiefs for L’Jarius Sneed
4.102 — Jaeden Roberts, G, Alabama
4.119 (SEA) — Domani Jackson, CB, Alabama
5.140 — Jeffrey Bassa, LB, Oregon
5.166 (KC) — Jake Majors, C, Texas
6.177 — Ricky White III, WR, UNLV
7.240 — Kaimon Rucker, DE, North Carolina