This is part 3/3 of Early Verdicts on Titans Free Agents
Welcome to the last issue of Early Verdicts on Titans Free Agents.
In part 1, we discussed Derrick Henry & Ryan Tannehill, with me giving the verdict on if the Titans should offer long term money to those 2, or exploring their other options.
Part 2 followed the same concept, this time with impending free agents Logan Ryan & Jack Conklin.
Today, we’ll dive into the the rest of the Titans’ free agents, including Anthony Firkser and Marcus Mariota.
A quick warning to you, the remaining number of Titans free agents is pretty high, so this’ll be a long issue today.
Sit back, grab a snack, and enjoy.
Tajae Sharpe
Sharpe’s free agency is an interesting one to debate. He’s never been a top guy in the passing game, but his extensive route tree has allowed him to overcome his struggles against press coverage, and earn the trust of the coaching staff.
If you don’t remember, Sharpe was a WR2 for this team in his rookie season, lining up alongside Rishard Matthews.
As the years flew by, Sharpe’s role in the offense decreased, but he still received important snaps as a WR3, WR4.
Now with Sharpe being a free agent, the Titans will have to decide if they want to bring back the ex-UMASS product.
It isn’t easy to find inexpensive depth WR’s, so I believe the Titans should simply retain Sharpe.
Plus, Sharpe won’t command a gaudy salary on the market, so this one’s pretty easy.
Verdict: New Deal
Marcus Mariota
This one will be short and sweet.
The Titans in no way will bring back Marcus Mariota.
It’s a shame, considering Mariota was brought in to be the franchise quarterback the Titans haven’t had since Steve McNair.
Through 5 years full of coaching staff changes, constant roster turnover, and even a change in controlling ownership, Mariota just didn’t convince the front office enough to be the long term guy going forward.
Verdict: Let Him Walk
Anthony Firkser
Firkser, or Firsker as many name butchering analysts call him, has a good shot at being brought back.
He’s scratched and clawed for a role on this football team ever since he was brought in during the 2018 offseason, and has unexpectedly delivered in various times of need for this Titans offense.
Particularly in the red zone, where all of his 4 career touchdowns have came from.
This one is way too easy.
Verdict: New Deal
Wesley Woodyard
When Woodyard was signed as a free agent in 2014, there wasn’t a lot of buzz about the ex-Denver Bronco.
Now, at age 33 and hitting the market again, Woodyard has established himself as a leader on this Titans defense.
It’s difficult to say if the Titans view Woodyard as a member of their future plans, but one thing’s for sure.
Woodyard has gained the respect of every single player in that locker room, being named a captain every single year during his time in Tennessee.
Even ex-defensive coordinator Dean Pees, who’s been around the block for some time, said Woodyard is the best pro he’s ever been around.
That’s a pretty big compliment, I should say.
If the Titans do bring him back, it’ll be interesting to see the role he plays.
Verdict: New Deal
Daren Bates
Daren Bates is, to put it simply, an outgoing personality.
From his hype on the sideline, to his gigantic boombox he carries around the Titans’ locker room, Bates isn’t afraid to have some fun.
While fun is…fun, what about his future status as a Tennessee Titan?
Bates has been kept around for a while due to his ability to consistently make plays on special teams.
Those types of players don’t pop up far too often, and I’m sure Jon Robinson knows that as well.
No debate here, bring him back.
Verdict: New Deal
Kevin Pamphile
I’ll keep this one pretty short.
Pamphile was in line for a starting spot on the offensive line, but got hurt and was replaced by 2019 3rd round pick Nate Davis.
If you want to bring him back as depth, that’s fine.
But other than that, nothing really makes me think resigning Pamphile is necessary.
Verdict: Let Him Walk
Dennis Kelly
Kelly’s time as a Titan has been….interesting to say the least.
He’s been used as a swing tackle, and primarily, an extra lineman when the Titans run their heavy sets.
He’s also brought me numerous occasions of joy by scoring a couple fat guy touchdowns.
A touchdown by some skill player is cool, but by a fat guy?
It’s downright amazing.
In all seriousness, Kelly’s situation is intriguing.
Whenever Kelly has been called upon to take snaps at either tackle position, he’s delivered mostly.
The Titans would LOVE to bring him back, but some team might end up offering Kelly a decent salary to start on their offensive line.
I’d sign him back 100%, but like I said, some desperate team might swoop in to offer him a juicy starting spot on their line.
Verdict: New Deal
Chris Milton
Milton doesn’t get any sort of snaps in the secondary, but he’s done some great work on special teams.
Such great work, that it was fairly easy to recognize the work he was doing.
I’d bring him back, let him compete in camp for a special teams role.
Verdict: New Deal
Kamalei Correa
Correa’s start as a Titan wasn’t the best, excluding his 2 TFL performance against the Texans in week 2 of the 2018 season.
The early portion of the 2019 season was much of the same, but once the 2nd half of the year hit, Correa turned in some impressive numbers.
Correa had 5 sacks and 6 TFL in the last 8 games of the year, quieting any sort of negative talk that swirled around him through most of the year.
Dependable depth at pass rusher is a premium in this league, so in theory, this’d be an easy decision.
But, the Titans do have Deandre Walker, an ex-5th round pick, coming back from injury.
So the Titans could look to see what they have in the ex-Georgia Bulldog.
However, banking on immediate success from a late round edge rusher isn’t exactly ideal.
Bring Correa back, but on a team friendly deal.
Verdict: New Deal
Austin Johnson
Another one where I’ll keep it short.
Johnson was a 2nd round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, courtesy of a pick the Titans received when they traded the #! overall pick to the Rams.
I’ll say this as nicely as I can, Austin Johnson has been massively underwhelming.
He isn’t some gaudy run defender, nor is he some sort of respectable pass rusher, he’s merely average.
Maybe even worse than that.
Let him go.
Verdict: Let Him Walk
Tramaine Brock
Brock came to the Titans via waivers in the middle of the year, instantly sliding into a starting corner spot after Adoree Jackson, Malcom Butler, and LeShaun Sims all went down with injuries.
He did an okay job, but nothing to ride home about.
He’s 31 years old, Malcom Butler will be healthy and ready to go for OTA’s, Adoree Jackson takes the other spot opposite Butler.
Only spot for Brock would be depth, and I don’t think he’ll be too interested in that.
Plus, you can find younger, better skilled options in free agency, and even the draft if you feel like it.
Verdict: Let Him Walk
David Fluellen
Fluellen has been with the Titans since 2015.
He’s bounced on and off the Titans’ active roster and practice squad throughout his time here, so if you pay attention to official league wide transaction reports, you more than likely have seen him a few times.
Bringing him back would solely lie on if the Titans believe they can easily replace him.
I like what he brings on special teams, and is solid depth in the backfield.
You should know my answer.
Verdict: New Deal
Darius Jennings
Special teams have also been the “specialty” of Darius Jennings.
Hehe, get it?
No?
I’m so sorry.
Sigh, back to the subject at hand.
Jennings found time as kick returner over the past 2 seasons for the Titans, averaging 31.7 yards per return in 2018, and 21.8 in 2019.
Kalif Raymond took over the return duties midway through the 2019 season after Jennings was released, and has a better ceiling as a wideout in this offense going forward.
Other than special teams, I see no reason for the Titans to bring Jennings back.
Verdict: Let Him Walk
MyCole Pruitt
Pruitt found himself as a Titan after week 1 of the 2018 season.
Ever since then, Pruitt has carved out a role primarily as a blocking tight end, even catching a couple touchdown passes along the way.
Now a free agent, I think he has a decent shot at being brought back.
Verdict: New Deal
LeShaun Sims
Sims has been in Tennessee ever since the Titans drafted him in the 5th round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Sims has never locked down a starting role, but he’s always been relied on as a depth corner.
He hasn’t been the best there, in fact, the Titans could upgrade from Sims.
But, the Titans will see 3 of their own in the secondary hit free agency, each with a shot to land elsewhere.
For that reason, I think the Titans bring him back.
Verdict: New Deal
Tye Smith
Smith has been in the same spot at LeShaun Sims, contributing on special teams and providing depth at corner.
This one is sort of the same as Sims’ verdict.
If the previous depth at corner gets thin for the Titans, Smith needs to be brought back.
It’s more of a TBD, but for right now, we’ll lean towards bringing him back.
Verdict: New Deal
Reggie Gilbert
Gilbert was acquired via trade right before the start of the 2019 regular season.
It took him until week 3 to get playing time due to injury, but Gilbert still put some decent play on tape.
As the season went on though, Gilbert was overtaken by UDFA Derick Roberson for gameday snaps.
Gilbert is an exclusive rights free agent, so the Titans can bring him back for little cost.
Verdict: New Deak
Cameron Batson
Batson didn’t play during the 2019 season due to an apparent shoulder injury.
However, during the 2018 season, Batson found himself as somewhat of a regular in the Titans offense, especially in the 2nd half of the year.
Batson offers a good bit of speed, but so does Kalif Raymond.
Batson is also an exclusive rights free agent, so he can be back for minimal cost as well.
Verdict: New Deal
