Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Mularkey speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans have spent much of the offseason filling some of the many holes on their roster.
Armed with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft on April 28, the Titans have the opportunity to continue to replenish a roster that had sagged badly over the past couple of seasons.
In terms of their offseason moves thus far, the splashiest transaction was not a free-agent signing, but a trade where the Titans acquired running back DeMarco Murray from the Philadelphia Eagles in a simple exchange of fourth-round picks where Tennessee dropped back 13 spots.
While the Titans probably won’t be getting the 1,800-yard back who was NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2014 with the Dallas Cowboys, they are hoping to get far more than the 700-yard back Murray was with the Eagles a season ago after arriving as a high-priced free agent.
Murray isn’t the only addition the Titans have made this offseason. A couple of other players who are expected to make a big impact on the offense include center Ben Jones and wide receiver Rishard Matthews. Jones is expected to anchor the middle of the offensive line, which has been a problem area for a number of years, dating back to the Titans’ decision not to re-sign veteran Kevin Mawae after the 2009 season.
Matthews is the Titans’ latest indulgence at the receiver position, where they have had very little luck finding success. Matthews likely won’t be Tennessee’s No. 1 option at the receiver position, but if he can be a solid No. 2 receiver, the Titans should be satisfied.
The Titans also have added several pieces to their defense, including re-signing nose tackle Al Woods to a three-year contract.
Tennessee’s other free-agent pickups on the defensive side of the ball have mostly been bargain free agents on one- and two-year deals. Those acquisitions also have a decided Pittsburgh Steelers flavor, a nod to defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau and his familiarity with them. Those include linebacker Sean Spence and defensive backs Antwon Blake and Brice McCain. The Titans also have signed veteran safety Rashad Johnson to a one-year deal. The former Arizona Cardinal is slated to take the place of veteran Michael Griffin, who was released and signed with the Vikings.
The Titans enter the draft with far less holes to fill than before, but still with some areas that need upgrading. The two most likely players mentioned for the top pick are Ole Miss tackle Laremy Tunsil and Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey.
Both those players would fill needs for the Titans, but in the rounds after that, they could still use another nose tackle, an extra receiver and a right tackle if they don’t select Tunsil with the first pick.
