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The market price for prospective free agent defensive linemen has been set. On Thursday, Al Davis and the Oakland Raiders made Tommy Kelly (who?) the league’s highest paid defensive tackle by granting him a seven year deal worth up to $50 million, with about $18 million guaranteed. That’s an absurd price for a slightly above average defensive lineman coming off of an ACL injury.
As we all know, Titan defensive linemen Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy are unrestricted free agents this offseason. Their relatively youthful ages and recent production strongly suggest that both players will have their share of suitors during the beginning of the free agent signing period. As Andrew’s recent article regarding the defensive end position points out, the Titans may have a hole or two to fill on their defensive line this offseason.
As a result of Kelly’s record contract, the cost required to re-sign Odom and/or LaBoy has most likely become more expensive.

Odom will probably be the biggest beneficiary of Oakland’s kindness towards Kelly, as a result of his eight sack performance last season and relatively injury-free career thus far. LaBoy has had his share of injury concerns, but is still young and talented enough to garner the attention of teams that are desperate for pass rushers.
Even Albert Haynesworth should be able to benefit from the Kelly deal. Despite his status as the Titans’ designated franchise player, the potential dollars involved in a long term deal for Haynesworth probably increased exponentially as a result of Kelly’s contract. No disrespect to Kelly, but Haynesworth is several times the player Kelly has been or ever will be and Albert’s long term deal will undoubtedly reflect the Grand Canyon-sized gap between their talent levels.
The defensive line is one of the most pivotal positions in today’s NFL. As the oft- repeated cliché states, games are often won in the trenches. Look no further than New York’s upset Super Bowl victory over the seemingly unbeatable Patriots as an example of the impact an effective defensive line can have on a dominant offense.
With a ton of cap room at their disposal, the Titans should be able to make solid offers to Odom and/or LaBoy if they deem them as players who must be retained. However, as a result of the ridiculous contract given out to Tommy Kelly, the road to re-signing Odom and LaBoy just got a little bumpier.