Tag: no_mcc

Breakdown of possible Titans draft target, WR Garrett Wilson

A closer look at WR Garrett Wilson, who is a potential 2022 NFL draft target for the Titans.

Now that the 2021 NFL season has come and gone, it’s time to start preparing for the new league year, and more specifically free agency and the 2022 NFL draft.

Up until draft weekend, we will be breaking down some of the more intriguing collegiate prospects the Titans could consider with the No. 26 overall pick.

Today’s breakdown is going to be one of the most intriguing wide receiver prospects in this draft class: two time All-Big Ten wide receiver, Garrett Wilson.

The former five-star recruit out of Texas was highly-touted coming out of high school. Wilson was ranked as the No. 2 overall receiver and the No. 3 overall prospect in the state.

After receiving dozens of offers from prestigious universities such as Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Texas, Florida, and Georgia, Wilson ultimately opted for the Scarlett and Grey down in Columbus, Ohio.

Now that Wilson’s collegiate days are in the rearview mirror, could Nashville, Tennessee be the Texas native’s next stop?

Let’s take a closer look at what makes Wilson a viable candidate for Tennessee come April 28.

Name: Garrett Wilson

Position: Wide Receiver

College: Ohio State

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 192 pounds

2021 stats: 70 receptions, 1,058 receiving yards (15.1 AVG), 12 touchdowns, four rushing attempts, 76 rushing yards (19.0 AVG), one touchdown

Predicting the fate of Titans’ most notable pending free agents

A look at the Titans’ most notable free agents and what we predict will happen with each.

With free agency rapidly approaching this month (the legal tampering period begins on March 14, and the official start of free agency on March 16), the Tennessee Titans have a total of 31 pending free agents to make decisions on.

General manager Jon Robinson will have a tough situation to navigate this offseason, as Tennessee sits nearly $8 million over the salary cap, which will necessitate the team making cuts and restructures, and getting creative with the contracts it doles out.

We saw Robinson work some magic last offseason by backloading contracts and adding void years to others, and we expect much of the same this year with the Titans trying to improve while in win-now mode.

With all that in mind, we’re going to take a look at the team’s most notable pending free agents, while also predicting each of their fates. We start with Tennessee’s two biggest pending free agents, outside linebacker Harold Landry and center Ben Jones.

Game day Tipico betting odds for Florida basketball at Vanderbilt Commodores

The Gators are a slight underdog in Nashville tonight.

Florida basketball plays in its penultimate regular-season game on Tuesday night against the Vanderbilt Commodores in Nashville as the Gators scratch and claw their way into the postseason discussion. It will not be easy, but a loss would likely tank their NCAA Tournament aspirations with just one game left against the Kentucky Wildcats this Saturday.

Currently sitting at No. 51 in the NET rankings, Florida’s résumé is a bit on the weak side with just two Quadrant 1 wins against eight losses, as well as that ugly Quadrant 4 defeat at home to the Texas Southern Tigers back in December. The Commodores are currently ranked No. 74, which is just inside the threshold to qualify as a Quadrant 1 matchup against the Gators.

However, a UF victory would likely slip Vandy outside of the top 75, resulting in a Quadrant 2 win — if they can pull it off. Unfortunately, the oddsmakers are not feeling too bullish about the Orange and Blue’s chances tonight despite winning the previous matchup in a 61-42 rout.

The Tipico Sportsbook favors the Commodores by 1.5-points over the Gators while the over/under is set at 134.5. The money lines for Vanderbilt and Florida are minus-115 and minus-105, respectively, as of 9:15 a.m. EST.

Team Spread Money Line Total Points
Florida 1.5
-125		 -105 O 134.5
-115
Vanderbilt -1.5
+100		 -115 U 134.5
-107

How to follow Florida basketball at Vanderbilt Commodores

Tipoff is scheduled for noon EST on Saturday night inside Memorial Gym, Nashville, Tennessee. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network, livestreamed on the ESPN app and can be heard on the Gators IMG Sports Network.

All Betting Lines are Courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook

Visit our free to play game lobby at Daily Ticket, Powered by Tipico Sportsbook

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Titans select WR Jahan Dotson in Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft

Mel Kiper has the Titans addressing a position of need in his latest mock draft.

The Tennessee Titans enter the 2022 offseason with very different situations on either side of the ball.

While the defense appears mostly set as long as the team can bring back outside linebacker Harold Landry, the offense needs some work at wide receiver, tight end, and along the offensive line.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper has Tennessee addressing one of those needs in his latest mock, as he has the Titans taking Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson. Here’s his take:

“Julio Jones is 33, has played just 19 games over the past two seasons and has only four touchdowns over that span. Can the Titans really rely on him to be a great wideout next to A.J. Brown, who has had injury issues himself? I think they need to add an extra dimension for quarterback Ryan Tannehill, and Dotson has the versatility to align out of multiple spots. He had 91 catches for 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, and he could rack up yards after the catch to help Tannehill.

“Another wideout to keep an eye on late in Round 1: Calvin Austin III, a 5-foot-9, 165-pound dynamo who could run a sub-4.4-second 40-yard dash this week. He is one of the most underrated prospects in this draft, and I don’t think it’s that off the wall to put him to Tennessee here. He had 74 catches for 1,149 yards and eight scores at Memphis last season.”

When it comes to wide receiver, the Titans need someone who can check multiple boxes. Not only does Tennessee need a deep threat to take the top off defenses, but they need someone who can align in the slot.

Dotson would take care of both of those issues. The 5-foot-11, 184-pound prospect has the speed to make plays down the field, and he can line up inside and out.

Adding to that, the Penn State product has experience in the return game, an area where the Titans could use an improvement.

In 2021, Dotson reeled in career-highs in catches (91), yards (1,182) and touchdowns (12). In four seasons, Dotson returned 25 points to the tune of 13.5 yards per return and one score.

It might take some time for Dotson to develop, but he should provide a great depth piece in Year 1, and will give Tennessee another receiver to build around for the long haul alongside A.J. Brown.

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What a contract extension for Titans’ Ben Jones might look like

The Titans won’t have to break the bank to bring back Ben Jones.

Center Ben Jones is one of the most important pending free agents for the Tennessee Titans to make a decision on this offseason, but said decision shouldn’t be that difficult.

Jones was Tennessee’s best offensive lineman in 2021. With fellow starters upfront struggling with ineffectiveness, injury, or both, he was once again a stabilizing force, both in the passing game and ground attack.

The Georgia product finished with Pro Football Focus grades of 66.3 and 79.9 in pass protection and run-blocking, respectively, both good enough for second-best among the starters along the offensive line.

Adding to that, Jones allowed just one sack, the fewest of any offensive lineman on the team, and his 26 pressures allowed were tied for second-fewest.

While age might be a concern for Jones moving forward (he’s set to turn 33 in July), we’d have to see his decline before we worry about it. After all, not only is Jones still playing at a high level, he’s been as durable as they come, with just one game missed in six seasons in Nashville.

So, what should we expect in a new contract for Jones if the Titans end up giving it to him?

Jones’ last contract extension was a two-year pact worth $13.5 million, which works out to $6.75 million annually. It’s safe to say the veteran will be looking for a raise — and quite frankly, he’s earned it.

PFF estimates that Jones will get a deal of three years and $20 million. That works out to an annual average of $6.67 million, which is actually a bit lower than his previous extension.

We believe it’ll cost a bit more to bring Jones back. Look for him to get a deal of about two or three years that pays him somewhere around $7 to $8 million annually and has a nice chunk of change guaranteed.

If a third year is included in the deal, chances are it won’t have much, if any guaranteed money, seeing as how Jones would be in his aged 35 season and the Titans would likely want an out at that point just in case.

We’d also expect the first-year cap hit to be minimal with Tennessee having limited funds to spare, leaving the biggest cap hit of the contract in Year 2.

Final contract prediction: Two years, $15 million ($11 million guaranteed)

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Titans’ Amani Hooker confident and hungry going in 2022

Titans safety Amani Hooker believes he improved in his first season as a starter.

Amani Hooker made tremendous strides in his first year as one of the Tennessee Titans’ starting safeties, although the path to get there was not always linear.

The Iowa product suffered a foot injury in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals and missed the next five out of six contests.

However, he lived up to the hype in his return to the lineup, recording a career-high 62 tackles to go along with one interception and four passes defended in just 12 games played.

“I felt like I’d had I had a good year, my first year starting and throughout the whole season, I feel like I improved and got better, not just like physically but communication being a leader as well, and it was very encouraging for myself to see what I can do at this level,” Hooker said at the end of the year.

Hooker made significant improvements in his pass coverage, and so much so that he was recognized as the most-improved player on the Titans, according to Pro Football Focus.

The 23-year-old limited quarterbacks to a 68.6 completion percentage and 79.3 QB rating while not allowing any touchdowns. In 2020, Hooker was tabbed for an 82.6 completion percentage and 83.2 QB rating.

He also was one of the lone bright spots in the Titans’ playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals, recording an insane diving interception that set up A.J. Brown’s touchdown two plays later.

“Going into the offseason, it’s good to have that game under my belt, but unfortunately we lost. I’m hungrier — I mean, the whole team is hungry,” he added. “We’re going to come out here this offseason and get better.”

Hooker credits fellow starting safety Kevin Byard as a mentor, and the two have formed one of the best safety duos in the National Football League.

Per PFF, Byard and Hooker finished with top-five grades among safeties in the NFL in 2021, with Byard landing at No. 1 (90.4) and Hooker at No. 3 (85.9).

Byard returned to elite status in 2021 after a down 2020 season, recording five interceptions, 13 pass deflections, 88 combined tackles, and two defensive touchdowns.

And his play seemed to elevate those around him, including Hooker.

“Oh, yeah, me and (Byard) out there, we’re in sync, we’re playing together. I love playing next to him,” Hooker said of his teammate. “He’s a baller. He plays at a high level. I just try to match it and try not to let him down, let the team down, and just try and do the best I can to do my part.”

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Hooker will return to the Titans alongside Byard next season, and the two will be expected to anchor the top of the defense.

As far as what he needs to improve upon this offseason, Hooker is keeping it simple.

“I like to just go back to the basics and improve on everything that I think I can improve on and then stuff that I think I’m good at, I gotta go back to make sure those are good as well,” he concluded.

Hooker enters the 2022 campaign on the final year of his rookie contract. If he plays like he did in 2021, he should land himself a nice new contract in 2023.

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ESPN’s Bill Barnwell: Titans should bring Harold Landry back

The Titans need to make sure Harold Landry is in the two-tone blue for the long haul.

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With free agency rapidly approaching, there has been at least some debate about what the Tennessee Titans should do with Harold Landry.

Landry is coming off a career year in 2021 after notching 12 sacks and playing a vital role in Tennessee’s defensive revival.

Based on what we’ve seen, there is overwhelming support among the fan base for the Titans retaining Landry, and that’s the camp we’re in.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell is also in that camp, as he lists bringing Landry back as one move the Titans should make this offseason. He explains how Tennessee can go about doing that despite being $7 million or so over the cap.

“The Titans have lost a series of young contributors over the past few years, often because they declined or chose to move on from their fifth-year option. Jack Conklin, Corey Davis and Adoree’ Jackson have all left in consecutive offseasons. This year, it’s a second-round pick coming off a breakthrough season who might hit free agency in Landry, who capped off a 12-sack, 22-knockdown season by making it to the Pro Bowl.

“Signing Landry isn’t going to be a walk in the park. They committed a huge sum of money to Bud Dupree last offseason, and the former Steelers linebacker has his $16 million base salary for 2022 guaranteed. Defensive end Jeffery Simmons and receiver A.J. Brown are eligible for significant contract extensions. Tennessee is also nearly $7 million over the projected cap for 2022, although it can clear out $17.4 million by releasing Zach Cunningham and Janoris Jenkins and free up millions more by restructuring the contracts of Dupree, Derrick Henry, Kevin Byard and Taylor Lewan. It’s not going to be a breeze, but it should be possible to get a deal done for Landy.

“What would that contract look like? A franchise tag would come in around $17.4 million — although all of that money would be on the 2022 cap, reducing the organization’s financial flexibility. A new deal would probably come in north of the four-year, $60 million deal Trey Hendrickson signed with the Bengals last offseason. If the Titans are willing to go somewhere around $17 million per season, that’s probably right around what it’ll take to bring back Landry.”

Landry is simply too important for the Titans to let walk. If he flies the coop, it would leave a huge hole for Tennessee to fill, and chances are they won’t be able to adequately fill it right away, which would be a huge issue for a win-now team like Tennessee that leaned on its defense in 2021.

Barnwell’s estimation that a $17 million per year deal will get it done is exactly what we’ve been saying, and there’s good reason.

Landry, who has made it clear on several occasions that he wants to return to Nashville, reportedly wants to be the highest-paid player in the outside linebackers room, a distinction currently owned by Bud Dupree.

Dupree’s annual average is $16.5 million, so the aforementioned $17 million per year deal should suffice. From there, the Titans need to make Landry’s 2022 cap hit as friendly as possible by backloading his deal.

The Titans also have the franchise tag at their disposal, but we don’t see it being used as anything more than an avenue to buy more time for contract talks.

After all, the franchise tag ($17.4 million) would likely cost more than the annual average of a new deal, and even more so if the Titans can keep Landry’s first-year number low.

The bottom line is this: letting Landry go would be a colossal mistake, and it’s one we don’t expect the Titans to make.

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Titans have chance to play international game in 2022

There’s a chance the Titans will have a game overseas in 2022.

The NFL has revealed the five teams that will host an international game in 2022, and there’s a chance the Tennessee Titans will be involved in one of those contests.

The five teams include the Green Bay Packers (London), the New Orleans Saints (London), the Jacksonville Jaguars (London), the Arizona Cardinals (Mexico City) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Munich).

Of the three games in London, two will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Packers and Saints), while one will be at Wembley Stadium (Jaguars).

The game in Mexico City (Cardinals) will be held at Estadio Azteca, and FC Bayern Munich Stadium will host the contest in Germany (Buccaneers).

While both the Jaguars and Packers are away opponents for the Titans in 2022, Tennessee can only meet Green Bay in an international game, as a rule change taking effect this year mandates AFC vs. NFC matchups.

Taking it a step further, the Titans are one of three possible opponents for the Packers in London, with the New England Patriots and New York Jets being the other two.

The last time Tennessee went overseas was during the 2018 campaign when they lost to the Los Angeles Chargers, 20-19, at Wembley Stadium in London.

International games are a great way for the NFL and its teams to expand their appeal globally, but the long travel involved is definitely a negative. The good news is teams taking part will likely get a bye the following week.

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Four-star linebacker has notable crystal ball predictions for Penn State

The early crystal ball predictions are favorite Penn State for a four-star linebacker in Virginia.

One of the best features that recruiting service 247Sports offers is crystal ball predictions. Recruiting analysts from local to national levels get a chance to go on the record with their most dedicated guesses for each recruit, some daring to go on the record earlier than others. But it is a good way to measure which way things are developing on the recruiting trail when certain analysts cast their crystal ball predictions.

In the case of four-star linebacker Tony Rojas, out of Virginia, Penn State fans may want to be paying close attention to the crystal ball predictions for him.

In February, two 247Sports writers cast their crystal ball predictions of Rojas eventually committing to Penn State. And they are certainly worth recognizing as those predictions came from Steve Wiltfong, the director of football recruiting for 247Sports, and Sean Fitz, the insider for Lions247 who has a long history covering Penn State recruiting. The two are the only crystal ball predictions in for Rojas at the moment, and given each’s prediction record on the crystal ball tracker, this should be a strong indication of Rojas’ future with the Nittany Lions.

Rojas, at 6′-3″ and 200 lb, is rated as a three-star recruit in the Class of 2023 according to 247Sports, but his composite ranking actually sees him as a four-star prospect. In high school he has actually played wide receiver and defensive back, but he has the build for a linebacker.

The Virginia recruit already has a healthy assortment of offers from across the country, and the early indications are he has not yet narrowed down the list too much, at least publicly. But the early picks going Penn State’s way is certainly an encouraging sign on the recruiting trail for Penn State.

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PFF names Zach Cunningham a cut candidate for Titans

If the Titans were to cut Cunningham, they’d save $10.4 million.

With the Tennessee Titans entering the offseason over the cap and needing to free up cap space, the team will inevitably make cuts, but could linebacker Zach Cunningham be among them?

Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger thinks so. He believes the Titans should cut Cunningham, a move that would save $10.4 million and incur no dead-cap hit. Here’s his take:

“The Titans brought Cunningham aboard late in the 2021 season after he was released by the Texans and only owed him roughly $400,000 for the remainder of the season as the No. 1 seed looked to make a deep playoff push. Tennessee fell to Cincinnati in the divisional round, and Cunningham’s salary now jumps to $10 million for 2022. 

“Tennessee has some work to do on its roster, and paying top dollar to an off-ball linebacker may not be something it can afford.”

If the Titans were to cut Cunningham, who was brought in via waivers last season, they’d have to depend on David Long and 2021 third-round pick Monty Rice as starters on the inside.

While Long has proven himself worthy, the jury is still out on Rice, who is also coming off a serious injury that ended his season after 10 games. As a result, the Titans might be wise to give Rice another season before giving him the keys to the car.

The reality is, the Titans will likely hold on to Cunningham.

Not only was he sensational last season, especially against the run, but his contract isn’t exactly outlandish. In fact, it ranks 13th in the NFL among inside linebackers in terms of his 2022 cap hit.

The Titans have several avenues in which they can free up money with cuts and restructures, but Cunningham shouldn’t be one of them.

As we’ve said many times this offseason, the goal should be to run it back with as much of the same defense as possible after how well it played last season, and that includes Cunningham.

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