2013 NFL Offseason Team Needs: Tennessee Titans
Oct 28, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans linebacker Zach Brown (55) enters the field before a game against the Indianapolis Colts at LP Field. The Colts beat the Titans 19-13 in overtime. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports Presswire
The talent the Titans have on their roster is enviable, yet somehow on a yearly basis, they manage to underachieve and not perform up to anything close to what they are capable of. Jake Locker’s development has been slower than other young QBs in this league, Chris Johnson hasn’t lived up to his contract, and players simply aren’t playing up to their potential.
Mike Munchak’s crew should be in line to be a playoff contender on paper, but they have some things to figure out with this team, including improving the 32nd ranked scoring defense in the league, giving up nearly 30 points per contest.
Here are the Titans’ top needs, in no particular order.
1. Guard
The Titans have three unrestricted free agents at guard, including starter LeRoy Harris and backups Kyle DeVan and Deuce Lutui. A lot of mock drafts have Tennessee taking Alabama guard Chance Warmack, and that seems like a very realistic option at this point. Harris also partially tore his ACL, and the Titans’ other starter is the aging Steve Hutchinson. Center should be the only interior line spot locked in for next season, manned by Fernando Velasco who was a pleasant surprise.
**Signed OG Andy Levitre (Bills)**
**Signed OG Robert Turner (Rams)**
**Signed OG Chris Spencer (Bears)**
2. Safety
Michael Griffin and Jonathan Babineaux were terrible last season for the Titans. I don’t quite know what happened to Griffin after his outstanding 2011 campaign, but he missed a ton of tackles and his four interceptions are a mirage for what his 2012 season could have been. Babineaux is replaceable, and when the Titans put in Robert Johnson, he struggled as well. This is a position they could look to address both with picks and in free agency.
**Signed George Wilson (2 years)**
**Signed Bernard Pollard (Ravens)**
3. Inside Linebacker
The Titans hope Colin McCarthy returns to the form he showed in his rookie season, but the sophomore slump definitely hit him in 2012. He played in just seven games last season and it’s becoming increasingly evident that the Titans made a mistake letting go of Stephen Tulloch. The good news is, McCarthy is only 24 years old and has a ton of room to get better, and you have to give him some of the benefit of the doubt for being injured much of last year. I still think they’ll look to add some competition at this position and other LB positions with three impending unrestricted free agents.
**Signed LB Moise Fokou (Colts)**
4. Cornerback
The Titans have a couple of solid starters in Alterraun Verner and Jason McCourtey, but I think their depth at the CB position is suspect. Last year’s fourth round pick Coty Sensabaugh will be back, along with 2011 seventh rounder Tommie Campbell to compete for some backup positions, but a starting caliber player could be brought in, especially with Ryan Mouton potentially hitting the open market.
5. Pass rush Depth
The Titans have some picks and money invested in the defensive line, specifically a lot at the DE position that have not been overly fruitful. Kamerion Wimbley and Derrick Morgan combined for a pedestrian 12.5 sacks despite the money and investment the Titans have made in them. Compare that to the 11.5 that came from linebackers Akeem Ayers and Zach Brown, who are good blitzing LBs, but they should not be close to eclipsing the marks of the DEs in Tennessee. There isn’t a lot of depth at DE for the Titans, so I could easily see them going after a pass rusher or two this offseason.
**Signed DT Sammie Lee Hill (Lions)**
**Signed DT Ropati Pitoitua (Chiefs)**
6. Additional Moves
**Signed RB Shonn Greene (Jets)**
**Signed TE Delanie Walker (49ers)**
**Signed WR Kevin Walter (Texans)**
**Signed QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (Bills)**