How the Titans should fill the void in tight end position
When the Titans offense is really buzzing, the team is likely getting solid production from tight end position. Unfortunately for QB Ryan Tannehill, the tight end position was consistently inconsistent last season.
While the tight trio of Anthony Firkser, Geoff Swaim and MyCole Pruitt had some impactful moments over the year, none of the above could really be counted in the passing game. With all three contracts expiring at the end of the season, the Titans made the decision to re-sign Swaim to a one-year, $3.5 million deal, with the other two seemingly on the move elsewhere.
Many of the best free agent tight ends have already been swept across the league, leaving the Titans with little to work with at this point in the free agency period.
Most veteran tight end options that made sense for the #Titans the current situation has disappeared.
But Gerald Everett and Austin Hooper still exist as options.
— TreJean Watkins (@TreWatkins099) March 17, 2022
104.5 The Buck Reising of the Zone joins the Titan Up Podcast to share his thoughts on how the team should approach the position. “I would expect another veteran free agent to add and a draft pick as well to round out that group,” Reising said. “The sex appeal is not there.”
Like every offseason, there are always a handful of players who would be targets for the Titans. This year’s rumor mill featured tight ends such as Mike Gesicki, Maxx Williams and even Rob Gronkowski.
Dolphins TE Mike Gesicki has signed his tender for the franchise tag, per source.
First player to do so this year.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 14, 2022
the #Invoices are not done. The source said they are signing the former #Bucs TE JO Howard.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2022
Old #Vikings TE Tyler Conklin – one of the most underrated tight ends out there – signs with the #Jetsby @MikeGarafolo.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 16, 2022
Welcome back Maxx!
We have re-signed tight end, Maxx Williams, to a one-year contract.
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) March 16, 2022
While Gronkowski has yet to make a decision on his future, Reising isn’t holding his breath on a whirlwind signing for Tennessee.
“There’s a zero percent chance that Rob Gronkowski will end up in Tennessee.”
I hear that there is a serious mutual interest between the #Titans and Rob Gronkowski. If he decides to play in 2022, Nashville will be an option.
—Chad Withrow (@TheChadWithrow) March 12, 2022
As if battling with 31 other teams wasn’t bad enough, the Jacksonville Jaguars have handed out free agent deals that change the market like they’re going out of style.
The Jags’ most recent jaw-dropping signing was Evan Engram, who signed a one-year, $9 million deal with Jacksonville. Engram heads to Jacksonville after spending five seasons filled with falls and fumbles with the New York Giants.
Feast your eyes on Jaguar’s brand new TE Evan Engram 🔥🔥💪🏾💪🏾 😤😤pic.twitter.com/tX9Va7HEMq
— 𝓐𝓷𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓷𝔂🗽❼ (@Baby_Juka) March 14, 2022
“What we’re seeing right now is the Jags have ruined the market for everyone. Not just one position, but all positions,” Reising said. “As the market swells, you have to legitimately ask yourself, ‘Is there a game changer worth the money that tops what we have on our list?'”
While you may not have landed a sexy name in free agency, there is still plenty of time to properly answer the question of needing a good price. The 2022 NFL Draft will provide plenty of tight ends midway through that could impact the Titans’ offense in their rookie year.
As for how the rest of free agency will go, Reising urged Titans fans to temper expectations, “Practicality is what I would expect from this period of free agency.”
Featured Image via George Walker IV/The Tennessean/USA TODAY NETWORK
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