Tag: Denico Autry

The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell: Wrapping up NFL free agency for 2024

2024 NFL free agency is just about in the books, so it’s time for Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar to analyze the biggest transactions in the second wave.

Now that most of NFL free agency for the 2024 league year is in the bag — though there are a few helpful players still on the open market — it’s time for Greg Cosell of NFL Films and ESPN’s NFL Matchup, and Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire, to recap the biggest and most important moves in the second wave of this free agency phase. Greg and Doug covered the first day of free agency last week in the Xs and Os; here’s the conclusion.

Among the discussion points:

  • What does Brian Burns bring to a Giants defensive line that already has Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence?
  • Can Justin Fields become the best version of himself in the Steelers’ offense?
  • Conversely, can Kenny Pickett turn his career around with the Eagles?
  • How can Calvin Ridley use his true X-Iso skill set to ramp up the Titans’ offense?
  • Can the Texans’ addition of Danielle Hunter, along with Will Anderson Jr. and Denico Autry, make Houston’s defensive line a Super Bowl-level group?
  • What can Hollywood Brown do for the Chiefs?
  • Tyron Smith is a future Hall of Famer, but what will he be able to do for the Jets’ offensive line in the short term?
  • Chase Young has been an inconsistent pass-rusher throughout his NFL career; can he turn it around with the Saints?
  • The Lions made important additions to their defensive line and their secondary; can all that put them over the top?
  • The Falcons already have a ton of weapons for new quarterback Kirk Cousins. How will the addition of receiver Rondale Moore affect what looks like one of like the NFL’s most explosive offenses (in theory, at least)?

You can watch this week’s “Xs and Os” right here:

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You can also listen and subscribe to the “Xs and Os” podcast on Spotify…

…and on Apple Podcasts.

Texans agree to 2-year deal with edge rusher Denico Autry

The Houston Texans found a potential Jonathan Greenard replacement in Denico Autry, who posted a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2023.

The Houston Texans added another defensive lineman, this time agreeing to a two-year contract with veteran edge rusher Denico Autry.

The two-year deal is worth $20 million, according to KPRC’s 2 Aaron Wilson, and includes $10.5 million guaranteed for the 33-year-old pass rusher.

Autry will replace Jonathan Greenard, who agreed to a deal with the Minnesota Vikings earlier on Monday.

The 10-year veteran posted a career-high in sacks with the Tennessee Titans with 11.5 in 2023. He has been a model of consistency since he joined the Titans in 2021. Autry finished with at least eight sacks in his three seasons in Tennessee. Before that, he played for the Indianapolis Colts and the Oakland Raiders.

Autry is a large pass rusher at 285 pounds and uses his size and strength well to shed off would-be pass blockers. Many consider him one of the most underrated pass rushers in the league.

The former Titans defensive lineman will be on the opposite side of the line of reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr., who helped Greenard post a career-high 12.5 sacks. Autry ranks in the upper half of the league in several passing rushing categories, including hurries and pass rush win rate, per Pro Football Focus,

Houston will be Autry’s third stop in the AFC South. He has spent the past six seasons in the division and has 59 sacks and seven forced fumbles in his career. 

Texans general manager Nick Caserio has rebuilt the team with several one- and two-year deals, and the trend has continued early into the 2024 free agency cycle. Autry’s agreed-upon deal is the biggest the Texans have shelled out on the first day of the legal tampering period.

Jeffery Simmons shocked Titans ‘let’ Denico Autry go to Texans

Jeffery Simmons was shocked that the Titans “let” Denico Autry go to the Texans.

Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons is now the Will Smith meme from “The Fresh Prince” in which he’s standing around in an empty room with nobody there.

Big Jeff is set to lose his best line mate from the past three years, as Denico Autry is expected to sign a two-year, $20 million deal with the Houston Texans, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

The deal is for more annually than the 21.5 million Autry got from the Titans over his three-year deal in 2021, a contract that was the definition of a pure steal for Tennessee.

However, after 28.5 sacks over the past three campaigns, that’s still a good deal for such a productive pass-rusher.

With Big Jeff now the only Week 1 starter on the defensive line set to return in 2024, he was none too thrilled that not only did the Titans not bring Autry back, he’s going to a division rival.

Can’t say I blame Big Jeff at all.

Granted, it’s hard to say the Titans “let” Autry go before knowing what they offered him (if anything at all), and I’m not exactly going to lose sleep over a rebuilding team like the Titans losing a soon-to-be 34-year-old pass-rusher.

But there’s no question it sucks to see such a good player leave, especially to a division rival. Let’s hope Derrick Henry doesn’t follow the same path…

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Texans agree to terms with ex-Titans DL Denico Autry

The Texans are reportedly expected to sign former Titans defensive lineman Denico Autry.

The Tennessee Titans are set to lose a big part of their defense to a division rival, as pending free-agent defensive lineman Denico Autry is reportedly expected to sign with the Houston Texans.

The news comes from Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the deal is for two years and $20 million, with $10.5 million guaranteed.

That’s more annually than what Autry got in his last contract with the Titans, and it’s well-deserved.

Tennessee inked Autry to a three-year, $21.5 million deal in 2021. It was a great deal for the Titans after Autry piled up 28.5 sacks over three seasons (33 games), making him one of the better free-agent signings in franchise history.

Losing his production on the field in and of itself stinks, but the fact that the Titans will have to face him twice a year makes it even worse. With Autry gone, the Titans officially have at least two starting spots upfront to fill alongside Jeffery Simmons.

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1 pending free agent the Colts could target from each AFC team

Taking a look at one pending free agent for the Colts from each AFC team.

With free agency right around the corner, the Indianapolis Colts have the chance to make some key additions to a roster that already has some promise.

Working with some of the most salary-cap space in the NFL this offseason, general manager Chris Ballard and the front office can continue to add pieces to the defensive side of the ball while improving the supporting cast for quarterback Anthony Richardson.

Re-signing some of their own players like Michael Pittman Jr., Grover Stewart and Kenny Moore II will be key. But they also could look around the conference to bring in some outside talent.

We know Ballard isn’t one to make huge splashes in free agency, but they are still going to be an active team even if it means simply adding depth.

After taking a look at potential NFC targets, here’s a look at one pending free agent from each AFC team that should interest the Colts:

Projected market values for Titans’ most notable pending free agents

The projected market value for the Titans’ most notable pending free agents.

Believe it or not, we are a little over one week away from the start of free agency, which unofficially begins with the start of the legal tampering period on Monday, March 11, and officially begins on Wednesday, March 13.

Unlike last year, this is an exciting time for the Tennessee Titans, as the team is flush with cap space after having to dig into the couch for loose change last offseason.

In fact, the Titans’ $75.6 million in cap space ranks fourth in the NFL, according to Over the Cap, and that’s before Tennessee makes any cuts.

The Titans figure to bring in at least some help in free agency, but they will also bring back some of their own free agents, a list that includes 26 players.

We’ve already shared our thoughts on what the Titans should do with each of those players. You can check out defensive players here, offensive players here and specialists here, in case you missed those articles.

With free agency almost here, we thought we’d take a look at the projected market values for each of the Titans’ most notable pending free agents, all of whom will officially hit the open market on March 13.

The projected market values for each player are courtesy of Pro Football Focus and Spotrac, when available.

Giants named a potential landing spot for multiple edge rushers

The New York Giants, in need of an improved pass rush, have been named a potential landing spot for several free agent edge rushers.

With needs up and down their roster, the New York Giants and general manager Joe Schoen will enter free agency prepared to address multiple positions.

One of those is along the edge where the Giants are desperately lacking outside of Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Although the pass rush need has flown a bit under the radar, the Giants were named as a potential landing spot for multiple edge rushers courtesy of Pro Football Focus.

Although it may not be the Giants’ biggest or most glaring need this offseason, it may be one of the most important positions for them to address. With blitz-heavy defensive coordinator Wink Martindale no longer with the team, it will be even more important for the Giants’ defense to generate pressure more organically.

Here is a look at the edge rushers PFF has identified the Giants as a potential landing spot.

Browns linked to Titans veteran free agent pass rusher Denico Autry

The veteran would make sense in Cleveland

Could the Cleveland Browns and defensive lineman Denico Autry be a fit in 2024 NFL free agency?

The NFL combine kicks off next week and that means that free agency for the Browns and the rest of the league is just around the corner. Cleveland has some interesting decisions to make with pending free agents including whether or not they will bring back veteran pass rusher Za’Darius Smith.

If the team doesn’t bring Smith back, and they should find a way to re-sign him at the end of the day, PFF suggests they sign Denico Autry of the Tennessee Titans.

“If the Browns were to hypothetically lose Za’Darius Smith, they add a versatile defensive lineman who can line up as a five-technique end, kick outside, and rush from between the tackles.”

This would make sense for the Browns who used Smith all over the defensive line to rush the passer. Though Smith is a better player Autry will likely be cheaper and is still a solid player that would help this defense.

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What Titans should do with pending free agents on defense

Our thoughts on what the Titans should do with their 13 pending free agents on defense.

The Tennessee Titans have a grand total of 26 pending free agents to make decisions on during the 2024 offseason, and 13 of of those come from the defensive side of the ball, which is now headed by new defensive coordinator, Dennard Wilson.

While Tennessee’s defense no doubt had its issues in 2023, it was easily the more consistent unit, with the team’s pass-rush standing out the most. That was crucial because of how poorly the secondary played.

The biggest notch on the Titans’ belt on defense in 2023 was the fact that the unit finished as the No. 1 red-zone defense in the NFL.

The Titans have a slew of needs to address on the defensive side of the ball, but some of those can be filled simply by bringing back some of their own pending free agents.

Let’s take a look at who the Titans’ 13 pending free agents on defense are and we’ll share our verdict for what Tennessee should do with them, whether that be re-sign them or let them walk.

Note: Defensive free agents list is courtesy of Over the Cap.

Titans DL Denico Autry’s highlights from 2023 season

Highlights from Titans DL Denico Autry’s 2023 season.

One of the most notable pending free agents the Tennessee Titans have to make a decision on this offseason, defensive lineman Denico Autry had another impressive season in the two-tone blue.

The veteran defender, who was nothing short of a fantastic signing in 2021, tallied 11.5 sacks in 2023, a new career-high for him. In his three years in Tennessee, Autry totaled 28.5 sacks and was a major impact defender.

Normally I wouldn’t be too keen on keeping a player who is set to turn 34 in July, but Autry showed he still has plenty of gas left in the tank and the Titans should be interested in keeping him around.

While it remains to be seen if the Titans are indeed interested, Autry has made it clear he wouldn’t mind returning.

“I have no problem being here. It’s just another contract,” he said. “It’s a good fit for me and I like it here, so that’s what it is.”

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