Grade: C-
Tennessee Titans
- Notable Free Agency signings: Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry(franchise tag), Vic Beasley, Dennis Kelly
- Additions via trade: None
- Notable additions via the draft: Kristian Fulton, Darrynton Evans, Isaiah Wilson
- Notable Departures: Jack Conklin, Jurrell Casey(trade), Logan Ryan, Tajae Sharpe, Marcus Mariota, Dion Lewis
The Tennessee Titans didn’t go on some cray free agency spending spree. Instead, the team focused on continuity, and left room for a couple signings here and there from the free agent market.
Jon Robinson broke the bank to re-sign Ryan Tannehill, who’s totally making money angels right now, yeah he’s totally not. Derrick Henry hasn’t received the big deal he’s been hoping for just yet, so until he gets to put pen to paper on his potential extension, he’ll have to wait it out while under the franchise tag. Dennis Kelly returns to most likely start at right tackle, but he’ll have some competition, by the way of 2020 first round pick Isaiah Wilson.
Speaking of draft picks, Kristian Fulton is expected to be slide in as the new starting slot corner, a role I’d be comfortable with Fulton holding down. Darrynton Evans was drafted to be the 2nd back, or RB2, behind Derrick Henry. But with his speed and versatility being such a weapon, it’s hard to imagine him not getting opportunities outside of his duties as a 3rd down back.
As for the outside additions, Vic Beasley comes over from Atlanta, and is looking at a starting role at EDGE rusher until further notice. Jack Crawford also makes his way from the Peach state to the Volunteer state, and will give some depth to the Titans’s interior defensive line group. Finally, Jonathan Joseph makes his way from Houston to Tennessee, and should provide some depth & experience in this talented Titans secondary.
But as much as the Titans stuck with the idea of continuity for most of free agency, the team saw a good number of its core players and leaders from last season’s squad, either take their talents elsewhere or have made plans to move on from them.
Jack Conklin is now in Cleveland, Ryan Succop was cut early on in the off-season process, Delanie Walker was cut as well. Logan Ryan remains on the market, and it’s already been revealed that he isn’t returning to Tennessee. Tajae Sharpe is moving up north to join the Minnesota Vikings, and longtime contributor Jurrell Casey, was shipped off to Denver for cap relief.
I like what the Titans did this off-season, but this team still needs an EDGE rushing type star to complete the Titans’s off-season Christmas tree.
Jadeveon Clowney is still on the market, but it remains to be seen when he’ll even sign a deal.
Good off-season, but not a great one either for the Tennessee Titans.
Grade: B-
Indianapolis Colts
- Notable Free Agency Signings: Philip Rivers, Xavier Rhodes, Anthony Castonzo, Zach Pascal
- Additions via trade: DeForest Buckner
- Notable additions via the draft: Michael Pittman Jr., Jonathan Taylor, Jacob Eason
- Notable Departures: Eric Ebron, Brian Hoyer, Quincy Wilson(trade), Pierre Desir
It’s been a rather interesting off-season for Chris Ballard and the Indianapolis Colts.
Philip Rivers now resides in Indianapolis, and will be tasked with squeezing out every last bit of high quality play he has, so he can to lead the Colts back to the postseason. He’ll have a sturdy, reliable offensive line in front of him, and a running game that’s only gotten better this off-season.
The other prized off-season acquisition, was none other than DeForest Bucker, who should instantly make an immediate impact on that young Colts defense. An off-season move that isn’t getting enough attention, is Anthony Castonzo’s decision to hold off retirement, and return to man the fort at left tackle. With Castonzo still in the fold, this Colts offensive line should stay as strong as they were before. Xavier Rhodes, once thought of as one of the best corners in the league, will get a shot to increase his worth once again, in a Colts secondary that already has some impressive young talent.
Draft picks Michael Pittman Jr. and Jonathan Taylor, are both expected to have big roles this fall, with the latter having the best chance to make the biggest impact between the 2.
A good off-season, borderline great for Chris Ballard.
I’ll leave a lot of room for potential changes though, since Philip Rivers’s signing could literally make or break the amount of success the Colts have in 2020. Jonathan Taylor’s bellcow potential is intriguing, as well as Michael Pittman’s potential to steal the WR2 spot, and put on a show there.
I can’t leave out my love for play in the trenches, looking at you DeForest Bucker.
This team still has a lot of questions, but that’s what we play in the fall and winter for, right?
Grade: B+
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Notable Free Agency signings: Joe Schobert, Tyler Eifert, Chris Thompson
- Additions via trade: None
- Notable additions via the draft: C.J. Henderson, K’Lavon Chaisson, Laviska Shenault, Josiah Scott
- Notable Departures: Calais Campbell(trade), Nick Foles(trade), A.J. Bouye(trade), Marqise Lee
The last 2 pieces of Jacksonville’s vaunted 2017 defense were traded away this off-season, with Calais Campbell being traded to Baltimore, and A.J. Bouye being shipped off to Denver. It’s a real shame, especially considering how scary that 2017 defense was.
Instead of riding that defense for years to come, this team is in the midst of another rebuild. This team won’t contend for a playoff spot for another year or 2, but I believe this rebuild has started out on the right foot.
C.J. Henderson will instantly lock down a top corner role in Jacksonville, and could remain there for a while. K’Lavon Chaisson and Josh Allen have the potential to be a nasty 1-2 pass rushing combo going forward, once Yannick Ngakoue inevitably leaves Jacksonville. Laviska Shenault is a speedy wide receiver that instantly adds a juicy amount of talent to Jacksonville’s wide receiver room, and Josiah Scott could emerge as an important piece on defense as well.
Tyler Eifert and Chris Thompson are a couple of talented offensive pieces that could pay off handsomely for the Jags, if they can stay healthy that is. Joe Schobert is a nice piece at inside linebacker, a unit the Jags desperately needed, and still need talent at.
A nice overall start to this rebuild for the Jags, now there’s only one thing left to do, don’t royally screw this up.
Easy.
Grade: B
