This is part 2/3 of Early Verdicts for Tennessee Titans free agents.
Last time, we discussed the futures of Ryan Tannehill & Derrick Henry, giving out verdicts on what I believe the Titans should do with the two players that helped turn their season around.
Today, we’ll dive into some more Titans free agents, some that don’t receive as much of the “offseason dissecting” like Tannehill and Henry have gotten since December.
Logan Ryan & Jack Conklin.
Without further ado, let’s talk about it.
Logan Ryan
Through the first 9 games of the season, Logan Ryan was playing outstanding football, so good that his stat sheet stuffer type of play started to give Ryan some very small DPOY consideration.
Through the first 9 games, Ryan amassed 61 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, and 12 passes defended.
Like I said, stat sheet stuffer.
Those type of numbers are very impressive for a nickel corner, a role Ryan has starred in since his days as a New England Patriot.
Who am I kidding, those are incredible numbers for a slot corner.
Sigh, Tre’Jean.
However, with injuries piling up in the secondary, more notably to starting corners Malcom Butler and Adoree Jackson, Ryan was forced to play as more of a boundary corner as the season entered the final stretch.
Once that move was made, Ryan’s quality of play dropped off significantly, and at the same time, quieting any sort of small DPOY talk that Ryan found himself in earlier on in the year.
The Titans did end up getting Adoree Jackson back in time for the playoffs, and Tramaine Brock was claimed off of waivers to help battle the struggling depth at corner, but it was too late.
That matters a great deal since Ryan is scheduled to be a free agent once the new league year begins on March 18th.
If Ryan had it his way though, he’d be back in two tone blue next season.
“Right now I’m looking for a job. Hopefully my time gets extended here.”
via Turron Davenport
While we don’t know if Logan Ryan is in Jon Robinson’s long term plans, we can always take a swing at what type of new potential deal Ryan might receive.
For starters, Ryan is up there as one of the more consistent slot corners in all of football.
While he isn’t in the realm that employs the likes of Chris Harris and maybe even Kenny Moore, Ryan still brings a good bit to the table.
He’s a very dependent cover corner in the slot, and can step out to the boundary at times, but can’t be placed there too often since that area isn’t really one of his strengths.
To go along with his sound tackling that helps a great deal in run defense, he’s an excellent blitzer, bringing a bonus that defensive coordinators all over covet from their guys in the secondary.
Now what could a new deal look like for Ryan? It’s difficult to say, considering he isn’t one of the best slot corners in the league, but still hovers close to the pack.
The Titans have other needs though, primarily at EDGE and even offensive line depending on what happens with Jack Conklin.
Not only that, Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry are the 2 biggest bits of business that’s currently on Jon Robinson’s mind. The deals for those 2 could get quite expensive, so a new deal just might not be in the cards for Ryan.
Plus, slot corner is a position that’s a lot easier to replace these days.
Ryan could command a salary close to $10M per year, but I don’t see Jon Robinson paying that.
I’d resign him to a new deal, but my opinion means absolutely nothing!
Verdict: New Deal, but it could get expensive
Jack Conklin
Jack Conklin’s time with the Tennessee Titans has been nothing short of a rollercoaster.
Whether it was Conklin being selected as an All Pro in his rookie year, tearing his ACL in the 2018 playoffs resulting in him missing the first 3 games of the 2018-2019 season, or even struggling to rediscover his All Pro form, the ex-Michigan State product has found it difficult to grasp some sort consistency on the field.
So when Conklin’s 5th year option was declined by the Titans prior to the 2019 season, the good ole contract year mentality kicked in immediately.
While Conklin didn’t put out a mind blowing year, his play was good enough to be put in position for aMone raise.
Don’t get me wrong, if there were better options for the Titans at right tackle, then I’d be extremely comfortable with the Titans letting Conklin walk.
But there simply aren’t any upcoming free agents that are open and shut cases to bring better quality play than Conklin.
There are some intriguing prospects in the draft that could be in the Titans’ range at 29, but of course, we won’t know if the Titans will be looking for another right tackle until Conklin potentially signs a new deal with another team.
Jumping back to Conklin’s potential contract situation, let’s go back to our little friend, Spotrac.
Now, before you scream and yell and cry, yes, I think this projection is just a tad bit on the extreme side.
That type of money is reserved for the elite of the elite.
Money reserved for the Lane Johnson’s and La’El Collins’s of the world, and they don’t even get that type of money.
For a more realistic APY, let’s look at what our friends at OverTheCap put together.
That’s better.
All in all, with the knowledge of how free agency plays out, I’m pretty sure some desperate team with a need at right tackle will pay a big premium to land Conklin.
Definitely not even close not $15M per year, but a number that’ll wander into the “overpaid” category.
However, that doesn’t mean the Titans have to go out of their way to give Conklin the Brinks truck and more.
I’d resign him, but if the battle for his services lead to a bidding war, Jon Robinson would be wise to walk away.
Verdict: New Deal
