Sharp Overview of Titans Roster/Needs

[Callidus]

4 minutes ago, Grizz said:

 

For sure. And we all need to be expecting more FA cycles of one year deals where we are expecting those guys to come in and contribute in meaningful ways. I think it's extremely possible all the trade down people are going to be happy next season when we have another top ten pick and slide down in the draft for the team looking for their own Cam Ward. 

Be careful, the came ward fans may take that as you think a cam equivalent would god forbid be available at 8 or something

[NashvilleNinja]

What Grok thinks...

 

+++

 

With Harold Landry no longer with the Tennessee Titans—having been released on March 7, 2025, and subsequently signing a three-year, $43.5 million deal with the New England Patriots on March 12, 2025—the team faces a pivotal decision in the 2025 NFL Draft. The question of whether to prioritize an edge rusher (EDGE) or a wide receiver (WR) depends on the current roster, team strategy, and the draft class’s strengths. Let’s assess this anew with Landry’s departure in mind.

 

Current Roster Context

 

EDGE: Landry’s exit leaves a significant gap. In 2024, he led the Titans with 9 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and 18 quarterback pressures across 17 starts, playing over 83% of defensive snaps. Arden Key (6.5 sacks in 2024) remains under contract through 2025, but his role has been more rotational (12.5 sacks over two years). Beyond Key, the depth is thin—Jaylen Harrell and Rashad Weaver are unproven, and the Titans’ 41 sacks in 2024 (10th in NFL) relied heavily on Landry’s production. His 30 pressures ranked 104th league-wide, but his snap count underscored his importance. Without him, the pass rush risks regressing.

 

WR: The Titans’ receiving corps is equally shaky. Calvin Ridley (1,173 yards in 2024) is the lone returning starter, with a $23M cap hit in 2025. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Tyler Boyd, both pending UFAs, may not return, and no other WR topped 300 yards last season. DeAndre Hopkins’ mid-2024 trade further depleted the group. The offense, ranked 27th in passing yards (3,146), struggled to support Will Levis (66.0 PFF grade, 11 TDs, 12 INTs), highlighting the need for a reliable target.

Team Needs and Strategy

 

Defensive Identity: The Titans’ 2024 success (3-14 record aside) came from a top-10 defense (4th in points allowed, 17.8 per game), driven by Jeffery Simmons inside and Landry outside. Losing Landry weakens this strength, especially with Key turning 29 in May 2025 and no clear successor. A premium EDGE could maintain this edge, critical in a division with QBs like C.J. Stroud and Trevor Lawrence.

 

Offensive Urgency: Brian Callahan’s offense needs a jolt. If the Titans stick with Levis—or draft a QB like Cam Ward at No. 1—a WR becomes essential to evaluate or develop the passer. The passing game’s anemia in 2024 suggests a WR could unlock more potential, especially with Ridley as the only proven option.

 

Draft Class Considerations

 

EDGE: The 2025 EDGE class is robust, with James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee), Abdul Carter (Penn State), and Nic Scourton (Texas A&M) as top-15 talents. Pearce’s 5.5 sacks and 22% win rate, or Carter’s 12 sacks and 24 TFLs, offer immediate impact at No. 1. Day 2 options like Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College, 16.5 sacks) could fit at No. 35 or No. 67.

 

WR: The WR class is deep, with Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona), Luther Burden III (Missouri), and Isaiah Bond (Texas) as early-round fits. McMillan’s size (6’5”) and contested-catch ability, or Burden’s YAC prowess, could pair with Ridley. Bond’s speed aligns with pre-draft interest (Combine interview, scheduled visit). Value extends into Rounds 2-3 with Tre Harris (Ole Miss) or Kyle Williams (Washington State).

 

Strategic Options

 

No. 1 Pick: Holding the top pick, the Titans could take Carter or Pearce to replace Landry directly, leveraging EDGE’s higher positional value (e.g., 2024 sack leaders like Myles Garrett shaped games). Alternatively, trading back to stockpile picks—while still targeting McMillan or Burden—maximizes flexibility.

 

Day 2 Depth: With picks at No. 35 and No. 67, the Titans can address the secondary need. A first-round EDGE leaves WR options like Bond or Harris; a WR at No. 1 opens Ezeiruaku or Princely Umanmielen (Ole Miss) later.

 

Recommendation

 

The Titans should prioritize EDGE in the 2025 draft. Landry’s departure leaves a bigger immediate hole on defense—where they’ve built their identity—than at WR, where Ridley provides a baseline. Taking Abdul Carter at No. 1 (or Pearce if they prefer his quickness) restores a high-impact pass rusher, pairing with Simmons to keep the defense elite. The WR depth in this class allows them to grab a starter like Bond or Harris at No. 35, especially with pre-draft connections to Bond. Free agency could also supplement WR (e.g., a mid-tier veteran), but EDGE talent of Carter’s caliber is rarer outside the draft’s top tier.

 

Why EDGE Over WR? The Titans’ 2024 data shows a functional pass rush (41 sacks) versus a bottom-tier passing offense (27th). A top EDGE maintains their defensive edge, while the offense can grow with a Day 2 WR and Ridley. Teams with top-10 defenses made the playoffs 60% of the time in 2024, versus 40% for top-10 passing offenses—defense still anchors in Nashville. Draft Carter, then Bond, and build around Levis or a new QB.

[headhunter]

That was a waste of a read

[Number9]

Build the offense first because you can build the D quicker.  A QB needs targets, best available WR @35 within reason.

[titanruss]

18 hours ago, OILERMAN said:

 

Mail truck? The person delivering the mail is the "mail carrier" A.K.A "Stamp licker"

 

Didnt you say you walked your route? How many houses/far is that?

[titanruss]

12 hours ago, Grizz said:

 

For sure. And we all need to be expecting more FA cycles of one year deals where we are expecting those guys to come in and contribute in meaningful ways. I think it's extremely possible all the trade down people are going to be happy next season when we have another top ten pick and slide down in the draft for the team looking for their own Cam Ward. 

 

Yeah, I think this is the plan. The problem is always that we need a partner. We could easily trade back in the second this draft but the talent may be too good to pass up.

 

Next offseason we will very likely be picking a little later but still high enough to get good trade-back value for any of our first few picks.

 

They said they want to average 4 of the first 100 picks every year. They only have two this year so...

[ctm]

The article is dated and inaccurate. The Titans don't have pick #67

[rns90]

13 minutes ago, titanruss said:

 

Yeah, I think this is the plan. The problem is always that we need a partner. We could easily trade back in the second this draft but the talent may be too good to pass up.

 

Yeah, I think somebody at EDGE or WR who should have gone earlier will fall to 35. It’s probably a character guy or he could be just the victim of a position run.

 

Depends whether or not they are ok with the red flags if it’s a character guy.

5 minutes ago, ctm said:

The article is dated and inaccurate. The Titans don't have pick #67

You read that?  I glossed over it once I saw it was AI generated and long as hell.

[Starkiller]

19 hours ago, VanCityTitan said:

 

A trade back from 35 where the team could pick up an extra top 100 pick seems like it'd be the FO's preferred choice.  They could probably afford to double dip at wr and Edge while still netting a developmental IOL.  Though not sure how good the second dip at each spot would do long term.

I’m not a “trade down from 35 no matter what” guy, but unless someone they love falls to 35 then they are best served moving back in round 2 and picking up an extra 3rd or 4th round pick. 
 

The quality of players from #35 to #50 or so really is pretty much the same. So trade down and they can get an extra rookie who might make an immediate impact. 

[Starkiller]

Also, I’m in the WR over edge category simply because they need to prioritize building an offense around Ward. He needs a chance to be successful.
 

While Ridley would be fine as #1, guys like Oliver, Jefferson, and Burks aren’t going to cut it as impact starters. Add a rookie WR day 2 and another on day 3. 
 

Not that I don’t think we desperately need help at edge along with Jones and Key. But I think they could add one without it being a round 2 guy. Especially if it’s someone less in the mold of a speed rusher and more of a bigger power rusher.

Edited April 5, 2025 by Starkiller

[Callidus]

16 minutes ago, Starkiller said:

Also, I’m in the WR over edge category simply because they need to prioritize building an offense around Ward. He needs a chance to be successful.
 

While Ridley would be fine as #1, guys like Oliver, Jefferson, and Burks aren’t going to cut it as impact starters. Add a rookie WR day 2 and another on day 3. 
 

Not that I don’t think we desperately need help at edge along with Jones and Key. But I think they could add one without it being a round 2 guy. Especially if it’s someone less in the mold of a speed rusher and more of a bigger power rusher.

I think people get mixed up between wr1 and x. Calvin is a decent number 1, he just isnt an X. 

[Starkiller]

17 minutes ago, Callidus said:

I think people get mixed up between wr1 and x. Calvin is a decent number 1, he just isnt an X. 

They don’t need Ridley to be an X, which he isn’t good at, but they do need someone who can be. I’m hoping they can draft a good one.

[Number9]

We keep getting pumped about our defenses, then crying because we can’t score.  That’s why we want a QB at #1 so we can generate offense.  The rookie QB will need weapons to put points on the scoreboard.  Ridley is a great asset, but we need another WR and a TE.   Start developing the chemistry now for a high powered offense. 

[abenjami]

6 hours ago, titanruss said:

 

Didnt you say you walked your route? How many houses/far is that?

 

Not only does he walk his route, the entire route is straight up hill in the snow into a 40 mph headwind.

[Callidus]

30 minutes ago, abenjami said:

 

Not only does he walk his route, the entire route is straight up hill in the snow into a 40 mph headwind.

And its 120 outside with 90% humidity in the dark.