The 2024 NFL draft is in the books and the Tennessee Titans brought in a seven-man class of rookies over the three-day event to help fill the roster.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72062312/usa_today_19606530.0.jpg)
The Titans’ 2024 NFL draft class is as follows: offensive tackle JC Latham, defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat, linebacker Cedric Gray, cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr., wide receiver Jha’Quan Jackson, safety/linebacker James Williams and edge rusher Jaylen Harrell.
Despite these additions, Tennessee still has needs. General Manager Ran Carthon said the team will add veteran free agents in his post-draft presser. The Titans still have over $25 million in effective cap space (the cap space a team will have after signing at least 51 players and its projected rookie class to its roster) at their disposal.
Who could they bring in? Lets break it down.
WR Tyler Boyd
The Titans failed to add an impact receiver for the second straight draft. Tennessee’s current slot options include underwhelming third-year players Treylon Burks and Kyle Philips, as well as depth receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
Enter Tyler Boyd.
Boyd has been one of the most reliable slot machines over the course of his eight-year career, and the 29-year-old already knows the Titans’ offense having played for Brian Callahan.
Over those five years, Boyd racked up 4,144 receiving yards and acted as a security blanket for Andy Dalton and Joe Burrow, amongst other quarterbacks.
Boyd is coming off a solid season as the Bengals’ third option. He registered 667 yards on 66 catches. It is worth noting that the Bengals were without Burrow for the second half of the season.
Boyd could provide the Titans with a reliable slot receiver at an inexpensive price. At this point in the offseason, he shouldn’t command more than seven million dollars.
S Marcus Maye
The Titans are still in need of a starting safety following the draft. The only safety Tennessee selected was James Williams in the seventh round, who they plan to convert to linebacker.
This currently leaves Elijah Molden atop the depth chart next to Amani Hooker. While Molden is a useful player, he is not a natural safety and is better suited for a joker role on the Titans’ defense.
Marcus Maye is the most sensible option left on the free-agent market. He’s coming off a solid season in New Orleans in which he allowed a passer rating of just 69.7 when targeted. However, the veteran appeared in just seven games due to injury and hasn’t played a full season since 2020.
So, why should the Titans sign Maye?
Maye has an excellent rapport with new Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, who guided Maye to a career season in 2020, where he recorded 88 tackles and 13 pass breakups. His efforts earned him a stellar 82.9 PFF grade. Since, Maye has struggled to stay healthy but has been effective when on the field.
Tennessee has already hosted Maye for a free-agent visit, so there’s clear interest here. Many Titans fans have suggested Justin Simmons to fill the starting safety role, but I get the sense his asking price is too rich. Maye shouldn’t cost Tennessee more than a few million.
DE Carl Lawson
The Titans added an intriguing edge rusher in the form of Jaylen Harrell in the seventh round on Saturday. Nevertheless, Tennessee still needs depth on the edge.
Not many exciting options remain available, but Carl Lawson could be a worthwhile reclamation project.
Lawson joined the Jets as a big-ticket free agent signing in 2021 after a successful start to his career in Cincinnati. But Lawson suffered a season-ending injury before his inaugural season with the Jets even began. Since then, he had been playing catch up in a deep Jets pass-rushing group. In 2023, he played just 101 snaps and was released this offseason.
Lawson is worth a potential flyer for an EDGE-needy team like the Titans. He’s still just 28-years-old and has connections within the building. Callahan spent two years with Lawson in Cincinnati, albeit on opposite sides of the ball. Additionally, new Titans special teams coordinator Colt Anderson and Lawson’s paths crossed in Cincinnati for two seasons.
Lawson should come very cheap. After not playing much in 2023, Lawson is likely hungry to get his career back on track and would be a quality depth addition for the Titans.
