As I did last offseason, I thought it would be useful as a sort of macro overview of where the Titans stand in terms of holes on the depth chart. For purposes of this post, I’ll be using a sort of hypothetical depth chart based on what might have been if everybody was healthy.
Holes Filled Since the End of the Regular Season
SS-?: Technically, the Titans don’t have any holes on the depth chart at free agency, with both Jordan Babineaux and Al Afalava under contract for 2013. That said, I consider it a foregone conclusion newly-signed George Wilson will be either SS-1 or SS-2 Week 1 of the 2013 season (barring of course injury and the like).
Last offseason, the Titans had a number of their own free agents they wanted to keep and re-signed Lavelle Hawkins, Mike Otto, and Craig Stevens, plus used the franchise tag on Michael Griffin by this point in the process. This offseason, not so much.
Remaining Holes
TE-1: Jared Cook is heading to free agency. I won’t belabor points I just addressed at length, but suffice to say the Titans will be looking add at least one tight end this offseason.
LG-2: Fernando Velasco is a restricted free agent. The Titans have until the 12th to tender him, and I’m sure they will. Consider this a nominal hole but not a real hole.
RG-1: Leroy Harris is a free agent. When Mike Munchak spoke at the Combine about bringing back free agent, Leroy Harris’s name was not mentioned. He’ll be playing elsewhere in 2013. The Titans could use a starting right guard. I respectively request that this person be somebody who, unlike Harris, has started more games at right guard at the collegiate and professional level than I have.
RG-2: When Harris went down for the year, the Titans signed Deuce Lutui. He was a stopgap. There’s not really a reason to bring him back unless and until they get desperate again.
TE/FB-2 (FB-1): The unofficial depth chart went with this hybrid TE/FB listing, but Quinn Johnson was the starting fullback and is not under contract. The Titans can do better, though of course I said the same thing last offseason.
RB-2: Javon Ringer would have played a bigger role on the 2012 Titans if he’d been healthy, Ruston Webster’s comments have convinced me. He wasn’t. Webster’s comments also convinced me Ringer’s health issues mean he won’t be back independent of the Titans’ possible interest in bringing in a different type of back.
LDE-2: Unofficially Leger Douzable, who spent the season on injured reserve. Officially Scott Solomon, who is returning. Is Jerry Gray still interested in a tweener defensive end? The interest in Chris Canty suggests so. I doubt that player is Douzable, but you never know.
LDT-1: Sen’Derrick Marks. The Titans have expressed interest in bringing him back. I’m not sure just how serious that interest is or really what kind of contract they’d offer him. At this point in the game, there’s no reason for him to re-sign with the Titans before the pre-new League Year discussion period starts Friday night.
RDE-2: Unofficially Keyunta Dawson, who wasn’t in that much favor even before he went to injured reserve. I don’t see the Titans bringing him back.
RDE-3: Unofficially Dave Ball. Inability to play in 2012 suggests his NFL career is over.
RDE-4: Unofficially Jairus Wynn, who was listed as Wimbley’s backup even though he’s the tweener defensive end. Maybe he’s the tweener defensive end. I doubt it.
MLB-2: Zac Diles. With Colin McCarthy’s injuries, the Titans could use a good backup middle linebacker. With Frank Bush gone, I doubt the Titans have much interest in retaining Diles.
WLB-2: Will Witherspoon, thanks for your service. It’s not your fault you were the Titans’ least worst option for playing time last year.
WLB-3: Unofficially Gerald McRath. I didn’t think he made the roster, but getting hurt and going to injured reserve meant he was still at least nominally around. The Titans need a backup Will, and it could be him.
WLB-4: Unofficially Xavier Adibi. Played only special teams. Frank Bush is gone. Teams don’t carry four weakside linebackers. Bye.
LCB-2: Ryan Mouton. Won’t be back. The Titans may keep only four cornerbacks, with Tommie Campbell filling that role, but they’ll likely add a fifth. Not a priority in my opinion, though.
K-1: Rob Bironas. The Titans have reportedly talked to him, too. I think they can find an option every bit as good as he’s likely to be for less money.
KR/PR-1 (RB-3): Darius Reynaud. The Titans want him back, but at what price? At what price will other teams value him? If he signs in the first two weeks of free agency, I doubt it’s with the Titans.
As with last year, there are a number of other positions the Titans could choose to address, including particularly changes on the interior offensive line other than right guard, but those are unofficially the holes that need to be filled between free agency and the draft.
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