5 players for Titans to consider in free agency
NASHVILLE – The Titans improved during the first wave of free agency, adding former Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler and running back Dion Lewis.
They also re-signed starting defensive lineman DaQuan Jones, starting right guard Josh Kline and are likely to retain starting left guard Quinton Spain, after making a qualifying offer for the restricted free agent.
Their most notable loss – inside linebacker Avery Williamson signing with the Jets – leaves a hole in the middle of the defense.
So does their decision to release nose tackle Sylvester Williams. Defensive line depth was further thinned by releasing Karl Klug. The Titans also need a backup quarterback after releasing Matt Cassel.
Tennessee hosted three-time AllPro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh on a free agent visit this weekend, but there are other teams interested, he’s likely to cost a fortune and he comes with red flags, including character concerns and diminishing production.
There are other ways to improve the team.
Here are five players who remain unsigned as of Monday, and could help the Titans at areas of need:
Johnathan Hankins, nose tackle
The 6-foot-3, 320-pound nose tackle should be a top priority after he was released by the Colts, who are transitioning to a 4-3 defensive front one season after signing him to a threeyear, $30 million contract.
Hankins, 26, is excellent against the run and has an existing relationship with Titans coach Mike Vrabel, who served as his position coach at Ohio State.
He reportedly visited Washington on Sunday.
NaVorro Bowman, inside linebacker
Bowman, who turns 30 this month, has been named All-Pro four times in eight seasons. The 6-1, 230-pound linebacker missed 2014 with torn knee ligaments and most of 2016 with an Achilles injury. But he still managed to lead the Raiders in tackles in just 10 games last season, after being released by the 49ers.
In 15 games between both teams, Bowman had 127 tackles, 11⁄2 sacks, three pass breakups, an interception and a fumble recovery. He reportedly has an offer from the Raiders, but is testing the market.
Colin Kaepernick, quarterback
Many fans, and the Titans’ front office, may not consider this a viable option because of the controversy over his kneeling during the national anthem, a protest of racial discrimination and police brutality that spread across the league. But in terms of ability and experience, there isn’t a better backup quarterback on the market.
Marcus Mariota has yet to make it through a full 16-game schedule in his first three seasons in the NFL. Kaepernick, 30, is mobile, strong-armed and has played in a Super Bowl. Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews, who is the son of a Marine and lost his brother in Afghanistan, has vouched for his former college quarterback, who was seen working out in Houston last week.
Other young, mobile, free-agent quarterbacks include Blaine Gabbert, E.J. Manuel and Geno Smith. Brandon Weeden, who signed with the Titans midway through last season, also remains an option.
Jordan Matthews, wide receiver
Matthews caught 16 touchdowns in his first two seasons with the Eagles, after being drafted out of Vanderbilt with a first-round pick in 2014. He thrived as a slot receiver, but was hampered by injuries last season after being traded to the Bills, needing thumb, knee and ankle surgeries.
But he’s only 25 years old, and the 6-3, 212-pound target could prove a valuable addition to a receiving corps that appears to be moving on from Eric Decker.
Marquis Flowers, linebacker
Flowers, 26, is a special teams standout who could add depth at inside and outside linebacker.
He’s also a former Patriots player with Super Bowl experience, and we know how much the Titans like those. (See: Malcolm Butler, Dion Lewis, Logan Ryan, etc.)
The 6-3, 231-pound Flowers, a former Bengals sixth-round pick, served as a backup weakside linebacker in the Patriots’ 4-3 front, and filled in admirably due to injuries late last season, finishing with 30 tackles and 31⁄2 sacks. He recorded all those sacks in the last two regular season games. He also sacked Mariota in the Titans’ divisional-round playoff loss at New England.
Reach Jason Wolf at jwolf@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter at @JasonWolf and on Instagram and Snapchat at TitansBeat.