The Tennessean breaks down the 2012 Titans roster outlook

[OILERMAN]

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120116/SPORTS01/301160019/Titans-reasons-hope-concern-2012?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Sports%20Tennessee%20Titans

Pretty much what we've all been going over recently but it's a nice breakdown

[Nash]

Thanks Oman, I was looking for it to post the link.. Let's talk about the DT's .. Based on this article, the team really likes Clayton and expects him to earn playing time this season.. that means we have Smith (who needs to lose weight and get in shape), Marks, Casey, Klug, and Clayton, so I'm not sure how we use Jones except as a situational pass rusher..

[OILERMAN]

I don't even think they'll offer Jason Jones a contract. But aside from Klug none of the DTs are really pass rushers, although Casey might can do it better than he showed as a rookie. I'm not sure Smith will even make the team

[Calico]

This offseason could be a shaky one with so many unknowns. They need to have 3-4 plans with the secondary because letting Finnegan go for nothing is just plain dumb, but not have a for sure option on the roster to replace is poor management. Not to mention the Safety spot is completely bare. Griffin has his up/down's but his durability and range/closing speed is hard to find in draft or FA. Pinning everything on a 30 plus year old safety in Babineaux next year is absolutely insane.

[AvgJoe]

Due to health and size I would not resign Jones. Klug has already taken his role, is less injury prone to this point, and costs a fraction of what Jones would. A full offseason for Morgan and Casey and I see them growing as pass rushers.

[reo]

yeah, Jones is probably gone too. There's going to be a lot of change w/ this roster next year which makes me a little nervous. It'll be another big test for Munch.

[Nash]

On defense I see us building a pass rush, adding depth to the lbs , and rebuilding the safeties. I can see Campbell moving to safety, resigning babs, and hoping that rojo can play.

[JLocker10]

On defense I see us building a pass rush, adding depth to the lbs , and rebuilding the safeties. I can see Campbell moving to safety, resigning babs, and hoping that rojo can play.

I'd look at DE, S, and OL in FA

A more prudent move might be to get an Andre Carter or John Abraham instead of an unproven commodity in the draft, especially when the crop of pass rushers in the draft is considered to be weak

At least with Carter or Abraham, you know what you're getting. Even though they're on the older side, they still produced. Carter had 10.0 sacks and Abraham had 9.5 sacks.

I can see Campbell moving to S. It's what Maxie did with Alan Ball.

For depth, I'd also look at a cheap vet LB. Also, maybe a vet CB and another OL. BAL got Gurode in a camp cut. So did NE with Waters. I'd look at someone like that for depth and to compete with Velasco and Robinson for one of the G spots

If we attack DE, S, and OL in FA, then I'd go OL at 20 to further shore up the interior, then WR in round 2 so we have more depth there and insurance for Britt. This is a good WR draft, and there are a good crop of big tall WR like Jones, McNutt, Sanu, Quick, and Randle that could be had in round 2.

Then I'd go D in the mid-rounds, looking at adding another DE, another CB for depth, and maybe LB or S

[reo]

We absolutely have to add a S in FA even if it's just re-signing Babs but hopefully more than that. If they really like RoJo, I could see them just adding a good SS.

OL needs to be addressed in FA as well even if it's just Velasco (who is an RFA). There's no way they can leave a starting OL position as a complete unknown heading into the draft. I expect them to sign an FA, possibly a big named FA, and then still draft a guard in the 2nd or 3rd, possibly DeCastro if he's there. You guys seem to like Velasco a lot more than I do.

DE is a bit of a wild card. It's a need but there probably won't be any top pass rushers left when we pick so I expect them to sign someone like Abraham or Mathis.

Another big DT is also needed as is CB depth if Fin leaves but neither will be picked early. We'll probably add another safety at some point as well but probably in the mid rounds, same goes for LB.

I'd love to get a WR in the 1st but I'm starting to think that's unlikely as well from some of Munch's comments... not that he's saying we won't but he's not talking about WR being a need either at least not that I've seen.

[AvgJoe]

I would certainly look at Mathis and see what he would cost on a 2-3 year deal. He is not a long-term solution but a huge upgrade and a good mentor for Morgan and a rookie DE.

[reo]

I'm a little leary of Mathis b/c he's played opposite Freeney but I'd give him a shot. I'm more interested in Abraham though.

so where's that rumor IM? lol

[Cyrus]

I can't see how the Titans possibly add a "big name" guard especially if they're going to draft a guy somewhat high. Since the Titans have some depth at the position already (Velasco) their goal is to add talent through the draft (2nd to 4th round) as an eventual starter and add competition through free agency (possible camp cuts). Since Harris could end up leaving in 2013, they may add more depth than usual this draft and let multiple guys compete for a position.

It's the same case as the corner position after Harper left. The Titans had some depth through previous drafts (McCourty) and added talent through that years draft (Verner) and free agency (Rod Hood, Tye Hill).

Higher expense free agents and higher draft picks will typically be used at positions where there's a lack of competition and immediate need. Safety and defensive end primarily fall into these two categories. Linebacker, cornerback, defensive tackle, offensive guard and wide receiver are all positions that could be addressed through value free agents (mid-tier) or any point in the draft depending on the value of the prospect (I.E. we could see DeCastro or Floyd at 20 if they fell, but if not, other positions may be addressed).

In my opinion the best course of action would be to add starting caliber players (even if only short term) at defensive end and safety. Mario Williams, John Abraham, Andre Carter, Goldson and DeCoud should all be targets. The Titans would then be able to enter the NFL Draft in a position where they can add plenty of competition at positions and take the best available player at a position of need. (those outlined above)

[reo]

DE and safety will almost definitely be a starting caliber guy but OL could be too. It depends on their view of Velasco and what they want to do at the position. Adding talent through the draft and competition is great but it doesn't solve the problem quickly. If they want to solve it quickly then they could very easily just straight up sign a guard to start. It's not like there's no precedence for them signing OL. They lost Runyan and signed Fred Miller straight up to start (different regime but Munch was here and had a say). They signed Mawae straight up to start and they signed Scott straight up to start. And iirc they wanted Joseph last year.

OL is a position that they traditionally haven't screwed around w/ much. When they wanted a starter, they went out and got one. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see them do it again.

Sure they won't draft them high traditionally but that's b/c they've had set starters at most of the positions for a while (Matthews, Hopkins, etc) or they went out and signed an FA to fill the spot (Mawae, Scott, Miller). When they need a starter, they get a starter. It's when they need depth or a swing guy or they're about to lose someone via FA that they draft one mid-late. Hell they even drafted Roos the year before Hopkins retired.

They're looking for a starter this year so they could very easily go out and get a starter and then still draft one early (probably 2-3) to replace Amano or Harris who they expect to lose next year. The only way they just go w/ Velasco imo is if they truely think he can be the starter at the position for a while. They're not going to sign him and then draft another for a competition and then decide a starter in camp. We're not talking a corner or LB or WR or something. This is on the OL. They're not going to screw around here. If they think Velasco can start then they'll sign him as a starter and move on imo. If they don't, they'll sign a straight up starter.

[JLocker10]

I can't see how the Titans possibly add a "big name" guard especially if they're going to draft a guy somewhat high. Since the Titans have some depth at the position already (Velasco) their goal is to add talent through the draft (2nd to 4th round) as an eventual starter and add competition through free agency (possible camp cuts). Since Harris could end up leaving in 2013, they may add more depth than usual this draft and let multiple guys compete for a position.

It's the same case as the corner position after Harper left. The Titans had some depth through previous drafts (McCourty) and added talent through that years draft (Verner) and free agency (Rod Hood, Tye Hill).

Higher expense free agents and higher draft picks will typically be used at positions where there's a lack of competition and immediate need. Safety and defensive end primarily fall into these two categories. Linebacker, cornerback, defensive tackle, offensive guard and wide receiver are all positions that could be addressed through value free agents (mid-tier) or any point in the draft depending on the value of the prospect (I.E. we could see DeCastro or Floyd at 20 if they fell, but if not, other positions may be addressed).

In my opinion the best course of action would be to add starting caliber players (even if only short term) at defensive end and safety. Mario Williams, John Abraham, Andre Carter, Goldson and DeCoud should all be targets. The Titans would then be able to enter the NFL Draft in a position where they can add plenty of competition at positions and take the best available player at a position of need. (those outlined above)

It doesn't have to be a "big name" guard as a signing

Scott was a mid-tier signing

So was Mawae..he was a name, but he was older

We need to add at least one vet OL

It could even be a camp cut type...look at what BAL did getting McKinnie and Gurode...NE with Waters...last year KC signed Lilja to a mid-tier type deal and added a vet in Wiegmann and their OL was one of the best in the league last season

[Cyrus]

When they signed Scott they really had no depth at guard at that point. Harris was still considered a Center and Amano had transitioned over to left guard. When Mawae was signed in 2006 it was really not that different from what happened to Brian Waters. That's fairly different from signing a guy like Carl Nicks and definitely falls more into the category of adding veteran depth to compete (although the Titans gave Mawae a pretty long contract at the time).

Anyways, my point is that the Titans won't likely be handing any position to a veteran unless there's no depth (Scott). The Titans will undoubtedly draft a guard and sign a free agent guard to compete. That's the formula.