Report: Tennessee Titans don’t plan on re-signing Logan Ryan

Logan Ryan’s days with the Titans might be numbered.

We haven’t really seen anything definitive close to definitive on what the Tennessee Titans might do with Logan Ryan as he prepares to hit free agency.

Of course, Titans fans want him back, but the cost of what that will take because of competition for quality corners on the open market has led many to believe that Tennessee might let him walk.

According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, that’s exactly what they plan on doing.

The Titans aren’t planning to re-sign corner Logan Ryan, and he could be of interest to the Texans and several other teams.

With many teams likely interested in Ryan’s services, he could command a contract that pays him north of the $10 million annual average he received from the Titans in the three-year deal he signed back in 2017.

While Ryan was no doubt a solid corner for this team, that’s going to be too rich of a price to pay for a good but not great corner — and that’s especially true with all the money already invested in Tennessee’s secondary.

Instead, the Titans will look for cheaper options, quite possibly in free agency and/or the draft.

And let’s not forget that Tennessee also has 2019 fourth-round pick Amani Hooker on the roster. The Iowa product was an elite slot corner in college and could presumably take Ryan’s spot in 2020.

Ryan has done some great things with the Titans and was an even better person off the field, but football is a business and Ryan’s days with the Titans are probably numbered because of it.

NFL Free Agency 2020: Buy or sell on potential Eagles FA targets

Buy or Sell on potential Eagles free agent targets

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As the new NFL league year quickly approaches, it is clear that the Eagles mission statement for the next two offseasons is to get younger and without mortgaging the future.

While the NFL Draft is filled with top-flight wide receivers, the Eagles will likely utilize free agency to help funnel cornerbacks, defensive linemen and value wideouts onto the roster.

The Eagles could also address the linebacker position in free agency as well after parting ways with Kamu Grugier-Hill and Nigel Bradham.

With the so many big names in play for Howie Roseman and company, it’s beyond important that the Eagles land the right talent at a reasonable price.

Here are five buy or sell options for potential Eagles free agent targets set to hit the open market:

***

Buy

1. Logan Ryan — CB

The former third-round pick had a career year for the Titans in 2019 and will turn 29 next month. The move would make perfect sense. Ryan grew up right outside of Philadelphia, would flourish in Jim Schwartz’s scheme and could be less expensive than Byron Jones.

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5 under-the-radar free agents the Giants could consider

The New York Giants have many issues to address this offseason, and here are five under-the-radar free agents who could help them.

The New York Giants have $73 million in salary cap space to spend on players this spring and, unfortunately for them, this free agent class isn’t considered to be one of more enticing ones in recent years.

Yet, there are always gems to be found and at a bargain sometimes. This is where the Giants can scoop up some decent talent for reasonable amounts.

But let’s not forget what free agency is all about: filling the holes in your roster and addressing your immediate needs. They can do that with some under-the-radar moves.

Here are five players I’d like to see them put bids on:

Logan Ryan, CB, Tennessee Titans

The former Rutgers and New England Patriots star should be very high on the Giants’ shopping list. They need a veteran corner who knows the ropes and how to win and the connection to Joe Judge and Patrick Graham has to come into play here.

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Report: Dolphins still interested in a slew of former Patriots

The Miami Dolphins are reportedly interested in a group of former New England Patriots.

The Dolphins’ offensive coaching staff in 2020 will have a lot less former New England Patriots in the picture, but that apparently isn’t going to stop the Dolphins from going hot and heavy after a bunch of Patriots on the free agent market this offseason. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald is reporting that the Dolphins are going to be in on a number of free agent players from New England — including some household names that have helped the Patriots’ dynasty extend over the past few seasons.

Jackson is reporting that the Dolphins are, at the very least, interested in OG Joe Thuney, FS Devin McCourty, C Ted Karras and (most recently of the Tennessee Titans) CB Logan Ryan.

Miami’s spending habits this season are the big variable. The team will have money to spend — but how much of their cash surplus are they willing to throw at problems for a 2020 turnaround and how much of it is going to remain in reserve for future seasons and future building efforts?

The Dolphins’ have painted themselves as interested in getting competitive quickly but also attacking this rebuild with “sustainable success” in mind — so don’t expect them to spend their full allotment of cap space on former Patriots this offseason. That said, Miami is probably going to be spending $50M to $60M in cap space by the time it is all said and done. That budget could easily account for the $15M Thuney is projected to command, the approximate $10M for McCourty’s services (he averaged $9.5M on his last contract), the $8M to $10M necessary to add Logan Ryan and whatever marginal cost it would take to add Karras to the picture as well.

This doesn’t even include LB Kyle Van Noy — the former Patriot who has been tied to the Dolphins by other resources this offseason. It is within reason that the Dolphins, if they could convince all parties to make the leap, could spend $40M this offseason in infusing their roster with players with a championship pedigree from Foxborough and then compliment the rest of the roster with the team’s NFL Draft capital.

The good news? We only need to wait two weeks to fully get a handle on where the Dolphins plan on taking their free agent game plan.

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What Titans should do with their top free agents if no CBA is passed

The Tennessee Titans should use both tags on their top free agents if no new CBA is passed before the start of the league year.

The Tennessee Titans find themselves in a unique position in 2020 when it comes to the ability to keep their own free agents.

Because no new CBA has been passed, teams have the opportunity to use both the franchise and transition tags in the same year, as opposed to the norm where only one can be used.

However, that can change rapidly if a new CBA is agreed upon before the start of the league year on March 18th. As of right now, a proposal has already been ratified by the owners and players are expected to vote on it soon.

But until that happens, using both tags is currently on the table, and being able to do so would be a huge benefit for Tennessee.

Let’s take a look at what the Titans should do with their top four free agents if no new CBA is passed. Tennessee has about $50 million to spend this offseason before making cuts, per Over the Cap.

Ryan Tannehill: Sign to long-term deal

Projected market value (per Spotrac): Four years, $122 million ($30.5 million annual average salary)

Everything changed when the Titans inserted Ryan Tannehill under center as the starter in Week 7. After a 2-4 start, Tannehill helped launch the Titans’ offense into a different stratosphere and compiled a 7-3 record in the last 10 games en route to the playoffs.

It’s been a long time since the Titans have been able to say “that’s our guy” at quarterback, and it’s why general manager Jon Robinson should lock him up. Signing Tannehill to a multi-year extension also gives the franchise extra time to plan for its future solution at quarterback via the draft.

I think Spotrac’s market value is a bit high for what Tannehill will get from the Titans. I expect it to be more in the ballpark of what Alex Smith got from the Washington Redskins ($23.5 million average salary).

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PFF predicts Giants sign three big-name defensive backs

Pro Football Focus predicts the New York Giants will sign four top 50 free agents, including three big-name defensive backs.

The New York Giants are expected to enter free agency with roughly $61 million in salary cap space (likely much more after cuts), which means they are theoretically in the market for whoever their heart desires.

And while co-owner John Mara has implied the team will not go on a wild spending spree, Pro Football Focus still believes they are going to make a major splash in free agency.

In fact, PFF predicts that the Giants will sign four big-named free agents, including three who play in the secondary.

First up? Re-signing defensive lineman Leonard Williams.

34. DI LEONARD WILLIAMS – NEW YORK GIANTS

Projected contract: 5 years, $15 million per year ($43 million guaranteed)

The Giants don’t have to pay Leonard Williams, but with the way some double down on their mistakes, it seems likely that they’ll continue riding the investment made on him. They gave up a third- and fifth-round pick for him midseason, and he finished off the year just 36th in PFF grade among those at his position. He’s always been a strong run-defender and a below-average pass-rusher. Williams had just a 66.2 pass-rush grade in 2019, which ranked 33rd among those at his position.

PFF believes Williams will get that $15 million per season after all. We shall see. Either way, we’ve beaten the whole Williams story like a dead horse, so let’s move on…

Next up, PFF has the Giants addressing the safety position.

23. S DEVIN MCCOURTY – NEW YORK GIANTS

Projected contract: 2 years, $10 million per year ($10 million guaranteed)

New head coach Joe Judge reportedly isn’t afraid to poach free agents from his previous team in the New England Patriots, and given their need for receiving weapons, the Giants might be in the hands of the guys they aren’t able to pay, such as Devin McCourty. He’ll turn 33 this year and is on the last leg of his football career, but he can be temporary help for a Giants team hindered by their secondary. McCourty has been one of the 10 most valuable safeties in each of the past two seasons, rarely allowing explosive plays and exemplifying great tackling.

McCourty seems like the obvious go-to at the position, not just because the Giants have had interest in him previously, but because there is a connection to head coach Joe Judge. And given his age (32), a two-year deal for McCourty would be ideal.

Still, at $10 million per season, that accounts for $25 million of the team’s available cap space between McCourty and Williams.

From here, PFF has the Giants addressing the cornerback position by signing not one, but two veterans.

43. CB LOGAN RYAN – NEW YORK GIANTS

Projected contract: 3 years, $10.5 million per year ($12.5 million guaranteed)

Bringing back Logan Ryan with Tannehill, Conklin and Henry seems to be a pipe dream. Ryan is by no means an elite slot corner — in fact, he surrendered over 1,000 yards in coverage in 2019 and was constantly picked on. That being said, he’s still an average player at the position — he was the 48th most valuable corner in 2019. His projected contact might be a bit steep, but Ryan could be a big improvement for a team that had a liability defending the slot for them in 2019, such as the Giants. Ryan spent the first four years of his career on the same team as Giants coach Joe Judge and could reunite in New York.

Can’t say we’re loving this projection at all. $10.5 million a year for a slot corner who surrendered 80 receptions (worst in the NFL) and over 1,000 yards in coverage in 2019?

Ryan may be a big-name free agent based on his previous resume, but the last thing the Giants need right now is another corner who struggles in coverage. And that contract on top of it? Hard pass.

But they didn’t stop there… Another questionable cornerback signing coming up…

45. CB TRAE WAYNES – NEW YORK GIANTS

Projected contract: 1 year, $7.5 million ($6.5 million guaranteed)

Trae Waynes is likely going to get a one-year, prove-it deal this free agency. He’s barely cracked the top 50 in grade among those at his position in each of the past two seasons. Waynes really wasn’t a terrible man-corner in 2019, allowing just 71 yards on 134-man coverage snaps. The Giants’ outside corners were the third-lowest graded among the 32 units and are going to need all the help they can get in the new scheme.

Waynes (outside) played better than Ryan (inside) based on many metrics, but he also played nearly 300 fewer snaps in two fewer games. And with a contract that is projected to be almost fully guaranteed? That’s a tough sell.

The experts clearly believe the Giants are going to invest heavily in the cornerback position despite their many draft picks in recent years, but Ryan and Waynes for a combined $39 million? We don’t see it.

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PFF predicts Titans CB Logan Ryan will land with Giants

Ryan upped his game in 2019, as his 4.5 sacks and his consistent presence around the football didn’t go unnoticed.

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Several Tennessee Titans players are set to hit free agency soon, and the team won’t be able to hold onto all of them.

The two priority players for the Titans to either franchise tag or sign to a multi-year deal are quarterback Ryan Tannehill and running back Derrick Henry.

But what about cornerback Logan Ryan?

Ryan upped his game in 2019, as his 4.5 sacks and his consistent presence around the football didn’t go unnoticed.

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Ryan had four interceptions after not having one in the two previous seasons, and more than doubled 2018’s total of pass breakups with 18 this season.

He’s a player the Titans would almost certainly like to hold onto, but it’s simply not realistic for the team to keep everyone on board.

Pro Football Focus has predicted he will land with the New York Giants ahead of the 2020 season.

“Bringing back Logan Ryan with Tannehill, Conklin and Henry seems to be a pipe dream,” the network wrote. “Ryan is by no means an elite slot corner — in fact, he surrendered over 1,000 yards in coverage in 2019 and was constantly picked on. That being said, he’s still an average player at the position — he was the 48th most valuable corner in 2019. His projected contact might be a bit steep, but Ryan could be a big improvement for a team that had a liability defending the slot for them in 2019, such as the Giants. Ryan spent the first four years of his career on the same team as Giants coach Joe Judge and could reunite in New York.”

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It will be interesting to see what happens for Ryan with free agency looming near, and we should expect to see continued upward momentum from him, regardless of where he plays.

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6 free agent CBs the Lions should explore signing in 2020

It’s a great FA cornerback class with players available at all levels of the price range

The Detroit Lions have a pretty solid track record of finding free agent cornerbacks who provide an immediate boost to the defense. From Rashean Mathis to Johnson Bademosi, DeShawn Shead to Rashaan Melvin, the Lions have found several capable short-term answers at cornerback on the free agent market in recent years.

The 2020 CB market offers the chance to do even more. Several potential long-term fixtures at corner are hitting free agency. There are some veteran stopgaps available too. Here are some the Lions should look at signing if the price is right, presented in alphabetical order…

Ronald Darby, Eagles

Darby makes sense for Detroit on a couple of levels. Foremost is his direct experience playing under new Lions defensive coordinator Cory Undlin. Darby spent the last three seasons in Philadelphia with Undlin as his position coach.

The 26-year-old is coming off his worst season as a pro, a season where he battled through a hip flexor injury that eventually landed him on injured reserve. In other words, he’s affordable and has something to prove.

Prior to the bad 2019, and pretty much every CB in Philadelphia had a bad 2019 campaign, Darby was an above-average starter for both the Eagles and Bills. He’s at his best in press-man coverage on the outside and aggressively attacks the run — the two biggest requirements to play in Matt Patricia’s defense. Give him a one-year prove-it deal and hope Darby does indeed prove he’s back to his prime form from 2016-2018.

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Kevin Byard: CB Logan Ryan was ‘probably the most productive guy’ on Titans defense in 2019

If there’s any player who particularly upped his game in 2019 for the Tennessee Titans, it’s cornerback Logan Ryan.

Safety Kevin Byard doesn’t want to see him gone ahead of the 2020 season, and had some high praise for his teammate when he spoke with reporter Paul Kuharksy.

“I’m a little scared because I know the kind of work he put in this year or just puts in, period,” he said. “I’ve worked out with him on the offseason. I know the production. This guy was probably the most productive guy if not on our defense on our team this year.”

And Ryan has every right to expect a large paycheck as he hits free agency.

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He totaled 113 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 18 pass breakups, four forced fumbles, and four interceptions.

Ryan’s performance ahead of his contract year wasn’t always great, but he showed significant improvement.

Those four interceptions came after not having one in the two previous seasons, and his total pass breakups were more than double his 2018 total.

Ryan is just one player on a long list of names the Titans have to make important decisions on before next season, but you certainly get the sense he won’t be one the team should let walk.

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Outside of Ryan, the team has Adoree Jackson, Malcolm Butler and Kareem Orr at the position.

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5 takeaways from Titans’ 35-24 AFC Championship loss to Chiefs

Here are five takeaways from the 35-24 loss.

The Tennessee Titans simply weren’t able to get it done as their historical season was halted by the dominance of a Kansas City Chiefs team now on an eight-game winning streak as they prepare for a Super Bowl appearance.

The Titans struggled to get the ground attack going and couldn’t accomplish enough in the passing game, while Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes victimized the defense.

Here are five takeaways from the 35-24 loss.

1. The Chiefs tamed the beast that is Derrick Henry.

Hardly any team has been able to come up with an answer to a Titans ground attack led by Henry, who finished the 2019 regular season with the NFL’s rushing title and only seemed to improve over the postseason.

Kansas City limited the big back to just 69 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries in their home win Sunday.

That total doesn’t even begin to touch that of his last two outings, when he rushed for 195 yards on 30 carries in the 28-12 win over the Baltimore Ravens and 182 yards with a touchdown on the ground in a 20-13 victory over the New England Patriots to open the postseason.

The last time the Titans faced the Chiefs back in November was a totally different story, when Henry put up 188 yards and two rushing touchdowns on 23 carries.

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