Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Tennessee Titans DON'T SIGN Mekhi Becton, Jonah Williams is a FIT & Cap Casualty Bargain Bin

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Tennessee Titans should not sign Mekhi Becton. I'll explain why on today's edition of the Locked On Titans podcast. Let's get it. You are Locked On Titans, your daily Tennessee Titans podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Welcome to the Locked on Titans podcast. I am your host, Tyler Roland, Titans fans. Today's edition of the Locked on Titans podcast is brought to you by GameTime.

Starting point is 00:00:49 Download the GameTime app, create an account, use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase of tickets. We got a lot to discuss on today's show. We are continuing the 2024 Locked on Titans free agency preview. We are capping off the offensive side of the ball with offensive tackle, one of the most important needs for the Titans this year. I'm going to tell you the guys the Titans should avoid, including Makai Becton, and then also talk about the best options for the Titans at offensive tackle in free agency. We'll cap off today's show talking about some bargain bin options that were capped casualties by other teams. Before we dive into all of that, I do want to thank you for making the Locked on Titans

Starting point is 00:01:28 podcast your first listen each and every day, Monday through Friday, Tennessee Titans content all year round, always for free. You're not going to beat that anywhere else. Make sure you get subscribed. Stay subscribed. It's your team every day here on the Locked on Titans podcast. Shout out to my everydayers out there. Tune in Monday through Friday.

Starting point is 00:01:46 It is a great time to be an everydayer because we are getting rumors and news every day and free agency is next week. I am going to cover it like nobody else. So make sure again that you stick with me here on the Locked on Titans podcast. But my number one point here is about the offensive tackles the Tennessee Titans should avoid. My hate list. I've been doing hype, happy, and hate. Now, with offensive tackles and the way free agency is right now,

Starting point is 00:02:15 there aren't really any hype options for me. I'm not going to be over the moon about any of the offensive tackle options. But there are some that I'm going to be happy about. And, of course, like I said, some that I'm going to be happy about. And of course, like I said, some that I'm going to hate. Number one is Makai Becton. So Tony Pauline released a rumor recently or reported recently that Makai Becton

Starting point is 00:02:35 has said that he's interested in the Tennessee Titans. And there may be some mutual interest there between the two parties. I am begging the Titans. Do not sign Makhi Becton. Do not. So look, I'll be, I try to play both sides of it here to be honest to you guys. There are some of you out there who do want to sign Mekhi Becton.

Starting point is 00:02:55 I see the reasons why. He's 6'7", 360 pounds. I mean, he is an absolute monster of a man. That is size that you cannot teach. For his size, he is athletic. He was a number 11 overall pick. Like, he is a good athlete at his size. He's also about to turn 25 years old in April. All right. So, he's still young. He fits the timeline of the team. And you got to put the other two things in here as well. Number one, he's not going to cost you a lot of money. Mekhi Becton isn't going to cost as much as a Trent Brown, as a Tyron Smith. You know, he's not going to be a high price guy. He knows

Starting point is 00:03:38 the situation that he's in. So the Titans could probably get him for one year, 6 million, one year, 7 million, most one year, $8 million. One year, $7 million. Most, one year, $8 million. You know what I mean? It's not going to be a big investment. And you have Bill Callahan as your offensive line coach. So you use Bill Callahan to get the best out of Mekhi Becton, who played 16 games last year, the most of any year of his career, through his first four years.

Starting point is 00:04:03 So those are all the positives. But, but, he played 16 games last year and gave up 12 sacks and 50 pressures. That's Andre Dillard numbers. Okay, now over a whole season, so it's not as bad as the 12 games that Dillard played, but still, that's 12 sacks and 50 pressures. All right? Whoa. Okay? Not only that, but the injury history is miserable. If Titans fans are tired of guys getting hurt, Mekhi Becton is the worst

Starting point is 00:04:35 player that the Titans can sign. He's played 31 games in four seasons. He played 14 games his rookie year and had a very good rookie year. Then he played one game. Then he played zero games in 2022. And he did play 16 games last year, but in a contract year. And why is he missing so many games? The number one issue with Makai Becton is his work ethic. Is he going to keep his weight down?

Starting point is 00:05:00 Is he going to stay in shape? Is he going to be dedicated to his craft? He does not have great football character. Not going to say what kind of guy he is. I'm sure he's a good guy. Helps the community and all that, but when it comes to the intangibles of playing football, working hard, staying in shape, pushing yourself, being locked in all year round, he doesn't have it, guys. He just doesn't have it. And he gets overweight, and he doesn't have it, guys. He just doesn't have it. And he gets overweight

Starting point is 00:05:25 and he doesn't train hard enough and then he gets hurt. That is what happens with Mekhi Becton. So you add in the injury history, the work ethic, the fact that Mekhi Becton is a short-term fix. Like I do not believe that he is a long-term answer for the Titans. So look, I see the good side of it. I see why people could get on board. But there are just too many things, too many things that go against Mekhi Becton that are just deal-breakers for me as a football person.

Starting point is 00:05:54 You know, at the end of the day, I would rather take someone who's more consistent, who maybe doesn't have as much upside, who I can trust, and who I know loves football. And you're not getting that with Makai Becton. So, for me, it is an easy, declarative, yelling from a mountaintop,

Starting point is 00:06:12 say no to Makai Becton. But there are other names that I don't want as well, and I've talked about those. Tyron Smith. Tyron Smith is 33 years old. He has always heard he's played 30 out of the last 67 games. Now, when Tyron Smith does play, he's one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL.

Starting point is 00:06:31 There's no doubt about it. But at his age, with his injury history, and the money that he is likely to command, $15 to $20 million in free agency, like, I'm just not doing that. There's just no way I'm paying for a guy that age with that injury history at that price. The Titans are rebuilding here.

Starting point is 00:06:49 They need young players that are long-term solutions. All right? They don't need guys who are always injured, guys who have work ethic concerns, not that Tyron Smith does, but back to Makai Beckton. Tyron Smith is an elite football person. So, you know, that's totally different. But still, the injuries at his age have piled up.

Starting point is 00:07:07 I am not interested in paying top of the market price on this free agency group of tackles. I'm not doing it. And then the last name that I want to mention here is Jermaine Illuminor from the Las Vegas Raiders. Look, he's 29 years old. He's only 6'4", 330 pounds. So he's a shorter guy. He's bounced in between being a swing tackle,

Starting point is 00:07:28 being a guard. He's been a backup for most of his career. Look, I know that he had a good season in 2022 and followed it up with a good season in 2023. But at 29 years old, with length concerns, I'm just out on that. Look, he's a decent athlete, which he should be for his size. Of course, that's important. But, you know, for me, again, I'm looking for long-term options.

Starting point is 00:07:54 If I'm going to pay a short-term option, I don't want it to be a Jermaine Illuminor at 29 years old. All right? That's not what I would do. I am going to talk about the other options I would look at if I went in the short term, but I'm not paying $10-12 million for a guy who's been a backup most of his career who's 29 and maybe isn't the biggest guy at tackle and could potentially play guard. I'm just not playing those games. So, Makai Becton,

Starting point is 00:08:21 big time no. Tyron Smith, big time no. Jermaine Illuminor, that's going to be a no for me. I'm not as bold on the no as I am those first two names, but definitely better options. And I'm going to get into those better options right now. I'm going to get into my happy tier offensive tackles that I would be happy if the Titans brought them in. Before I get into it though, I do want to let you guys know that today's episode is brought to you by Robinhood. Did you know that even if you have a 401k for retirement, you could still have an IRA?

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Starting point is 00:10:18 Such an important position for the Titans. I just talked about the options I think the Titans need to avoid. But now, I need to talk about the options I do want the Titans to go out and sign. Before we get into that, thank you for making the Locked on Titans podcast your first listen. Each and every day, Monday through Friday, Tennessee Titans content all year round. Always for free. You're not going to beat that anywhere else. Make sure you get subscribed.

Starting point is 00:10:39 Stay subscribed. And again, it's free agency week. I'm going to start off next week with a full free agency preview of what I think is going to happen. We're going to break down the news as we go throughout the week, the legal tampering period. It's going to be a big week of Tennessee Titans news next week. You're not going to want to miss a single show.

Starting point is 00:10:57 So you're not an everydayer. You need to be one. But with that being said, my happy tear starts, and I know this is controversial, and that's fine. I know that a lot of you are going to hate it, and I don't care. I like Jonah Williams from the Cincinnati Bengals. Okay?

Starting point is 00:11:15 Only 26 years old, so he's only a year older than Mekhi Becton in a month. You know what I mean? Now, Jonah Williams did give up eight sacks and 40 pressures last year. He is not a top-tier, top-of-the-market offensive tackle, but the only one of those that is even available is Tyron Smith, and he comes with his own issues. You know what Jonah Williams is? Reliable.

Starting point is 00:11:39 All right? In his last four seasons, rookie year, he played 10 games, but then 16, 16, 17 games. The guy is always out there, all right? And he is an above average pass protector. Yes, the numbers don't look great, but watch him on tape. He's an athlete. He's good with his hands. He is an above average pass protector.

Starting point is 00:11:59 He may not be the driver in the run game, but he's athletic. And in the Titans game, but he's athletic. And in the Titans' outside zone system, which requires athleticism and mobility from your offensive lineman, Jonah Williams makes a ton of sense. And not only that, but he can play right or left tackle. He's honestly better at left tackle. So, all of you guys who want the Titans to trade down,

Starting point is 00:12:23 if you want the Titans to trade down in the draft, there are more right tackles in the Titans trade down range than there are left tackles. Thank Fuwaga. Thank Mims. Thank Latham. These are right tackles. So, Jonah Williams gives the Titans flexibility of, hey, if we get a left tackle, we can play Jonah at right. Hey, if we drop back and we get a right tackle, we can play Jonah at left.

Starting point is 00:12:51 And unlike Tyron Smith, Jonah Williams is going to come in at a value. He's probably only going to be about $9 to $12 million a year for two years. That would be $20 million guaranteed, two-year contract essentially, even if it says three at the gate. I just think it's economical.

Starting point is 00:13:12 It's someone who knows Brian Callahan's system. It's someone who's reliable and stays out on the field who can be an average to above average player. You get a stud at one tackle. You get a stud at center. You got a stud at one tackle. You get a stud at center. You got a stud at garden, Peter Skowronski. You got a good fifth starter. And Dylan Radins or Daniel Brunskill,

Starting point is 00:13:33 you have a reliable fourth best offensive lineman at right tackle. I mean, Dylan Radins had good moments at right tackle. Chris Hubbard had good moments at right tackle. Jonah Williams can absolutely come in and stabilize that position. And at only 26 years old, he fits the Titans timeline. From 26 to 30, if he can lock down the right tackle spot for an economical price, the Titans are cooking. Again, he's not an all pro.

Starting point is 00:13:59 He's not a pro bowler, but he's the type of player who is a value starter who the Titans desperately need right now. So Jonah Williams would be number one on my list of offensive tackles because he's good enough to get the job done. He provides versatility and he's incredibly reliable. He's going to be out there. And I think that is key for the Titans in free agency is getting guys that you can rely to be out on the field. Also, you got to look at the two guys from New England. You have Trent Brown and you have Michael Nwenu. And I have them a notch below Jonah Williams. And here's why. They're both gap players. It looks like when you watch them, they're going to be much better in a gap run scheme with down blocks and pools and double teams at the line of scrimmage

Starting point is 00:14:46 where you don't necessarily have to climb up to the second level as often. They just aren't, they're bigger bodied guys in Trent Brown and Michael Nwenyu who aren't the fleetest of foot. They're not the best athletes. Now, Trent Brown, I would say is a more athletic guy, but Trent Brown is 30 years old. So he's probably not going to fit in the Titans scheme. He's 30 years old, and Trent Brown has some off-field issues. He was a healthy scratch for the Patriots at the end of the year. He's not necessarily the most team-oriented guy, according to most from New England.

Starting point is 00:15:19 But here's the reality. Trent Brown is versatile as well. He can play left tackle or right tackle. And if the Titans are comfortable enough with his athleticism to say that he can fit in their system, then I'm on board for it more than I would be Makai Becton or Jermaine Illuminor or paying the price for Tyron Smith.

Starting point is 00:15:37 That's what it comes down to. So if the Titans are cool with Trent Brown, I'm cool with Trent Brown. Even though there are some concerns. It's the same thing, Michael and Wenyu, 26 years old. So, and Wenyu does make more sense for the Titans. But I think he's even more of a gap scheme guy than Trent Brown is. So, if the Titans are comfortable with it, I'm okay with it.

Starting point is 00:15:57 But, again, double teams at the line of scrimmage. Michael and Wenyu is an incredibly strong guy, so he's going to be able to anchor and hold up against those, you know, speed to power edge rushers. Only 6'3", though. So now you're talking about another guy with size issues who some people thought was a guard. He has settled in at right tackle,

Starting point is 00:16:15 but the Titans have talked about looking for length on the offensive line. And you're just not getting, like, over-the-moon size with Michael and Wenyu. So I like Trent Brown and Michael and Wenyu more than I like Makai Becton and Jermaine Illuminor and Tyron Smith as options for the Titans. But again, I like Jonah Williams a lot more. And to be honest with you, the last two names that I have in my happy tier, I may just go with those guys because they're going to be a lot cheaper and accept the fact that I haven't solved the offensive tackle position long term at right tackle. I would like Josh Jones.

Starting point is 00:16:48 If the Titans are going to take another Andre Dillard, basically, and take a project player, I'm going with Josh Jones. Six foot five, 310 pounds, great length, good hands. He's got experience at right tackle and left tackle. He's an athletic guy who I know will fit in the Titans' zone run scheme. He just played for Houston. He was a backup for them, but if you get Bill Callahan

Starting point is 00:17:12 to get the best out of him, he's only 26 years old. I think that would make a lot of sense. Now, he's not the strongest guy. He has trouble with anchor. He's not the quickest at the line of scrimmage. Those things need to be worked on, but I mean, you want to go out and give $7-8 million to Mekhi

Starting point is 00:17:27 Becton as a project. I would rather go out and give $4-5 million to Josh Jones as a project. Like, if we're doing that, and we're accepting, hey, we can't find a long-term solution, and we're just going to go with the lottery ticket route that we went with last year, I'd do it with Josh Jones, not Mekhi Becton, because

Starting point is 00:17:44 it's at least a guy who loves football, and it's going to be in shape. And then the last thing, if the Titans really get desperate, and they don't want any of these guys, then go do what I asked you to do last year and get George Fant from the Texans. Fant had a great year. He was sitting right there and was available all year long. The Titans didn't want him. They went with Andre Dillard and more importantly, they went with Chris Hubbard.

Starting point is 00:18:11 And Hubbard had an okay season until he got hurt. But I would have rather have had George Fant and I still, right now, if George Fant plays right tackle for the Titans next year, their issue isn't solved long term, but I think he's going to do a good job. So, those are options for me. Again, no Mekhi Becton, no Tyron Smith, no Jermaine Illuminor.

Starting point is 00:18:31 I really like Jonah Williams as an option. Trent Brown, Michael Nguyen, you could make some sense as well. And Josh Jones and George Fant. Now I want to get into some guys who are cut by other teams, who could be options for the Titans as well. Before I get into that, I do want to let you guys know that today's episode is brought to you by GameTime. GameTime is the best place to buy tickets.

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Starting point is 00:19:18 So they have excellent features, excellent prices. Take the guesswork out of buying tickets with GameTime. Download the GameTime app right now. Create an account and use the code LOCKEDON. You're going to get $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply again. Create an account.

Starting point is 00:19:35 Redeem the code LOCKEDON, L-O-C-K-E-D-O-N, for $20 off your tickets. Download GameTime today. Last-minute tickets. Lowest price. Guaranteed. Titans fans, let's cap off today's edition of the Locked on Titans podcast. We finished off the offensive side of the ball for our free agency preview, talking offensive tackles.

Starting point is 00:20:13 If you missed interior offensive line, tight end, wide receiver, running back, or quarterback, go back and check those out. Those were excellent episodes and breakdowns as well. We're going to be moving into the defense now. We don't have a lot of time left. We might be getting some bonus episodes this weekend to go over defense because on Sunday, I'm going to have my full free agency preview predictions where I tell you who I think the Tennessee Titans should sign or will sign,

Starting point is 00:20:39 not necessarily who I think they should sign. So I'm going to do a little predictive free agency mock on Sunday. So don't miss that. But also want to let you know that Locked On has launched the first ever national sports 24-7 streaming channel. It's on YouTube and now it's available on Amazon Fire TV and the Free Fire TV channels app. It's called Locked On Sports Today.

Starting point is 00:21:00 Locked On Sports Today is here for you 24-7 covering the top sports stories of the day with local experts from Locked On plus coverage of here for you 24-7, covering the top sports stories of the day with local experts from Locked On, plus coverage of every league from our national shows. Find Locked On Sports Today now available on the free Fire TV channels app. But, again, legal tampering period starts on Monday. So, it's going to be a big week next week, and we're already seeing a bunch of players get cut.

Starting point is 00:21:25 So I just want to go over some of the guys who have been cut recently and say yes or no. Should the Titans go get them, or should they not? Play along with me down below. Let me know which offensive tackles you like as well. But number one, Russell Wilson. No! So stupid seeing people have the Titans as a landing spot for Russell Wilson. No! So stupid seeing people have the Titans as a landing spot

Starting point is 00:21:45 for Russell Wilson. It's obvious that no one believes in Will Levis, but the Titans do. So, absolutely stupid. A reunion with Kevin Byard. I'm here for it. Alright? Kevin Byard at his price tag last

Starting point is 00:22:03 year? No. No. But he's a free agent now. In this safety market, there are so many safeties that are available this year. You could get Kevin Byard for $5 million. $6 million. Like, yeah. I'm in for that.

Starting point is 00:22:19 Same thing. Justin Simmons from the Denver Broncos was released. Huge yes. He is still a great player. And in this safety market, again, you're going to get a depressed value on some of these guys. Absolutely would love Justin Simmons. That's probably my number one safety option now as a cap casualty.

Starting point is 00:22:41 Number one, Justin Simmons. Quandre Diggs could be an option. I already talked about CJ Uzama at tight end. Being cut by the Jets would be a great third cheap tight end for the Tennessee Titans that'll block. They can also catch the ball if you throw it to them. Fali Futakasi from the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Titans need an interior run stuffer at defensive tackle

Starting point is 00:23:02 to replace T.R. Tartt. I think Fali Futakasi could be a great option. Jerome Baker at linebacker was cut by the Miami Dolphins. Baker is in that Aziz Alshayer tier of just, hey, you're a replacement level linebacker. You're just a regular starter. We'll pay you $5-6 million, one-year deal, and see what you can do. I would love that with Jerome Baker. I've talked about

Starting point is 00:23:28 Zavian Howard, the cornerback from the Dolphins as well. Look, he's a little advanced in his age. Not the player he once was, but on a one year prove it deal. As a cornerback too, I think that can make a lot of sense for the Titans. Some of the guys who I'm not interested in. Number one, Jamal Adams. Jamal Adams is not a safety anymore. He's a linebacker at best, and I would say he's a defensive lineman. All he can do is blitz.

Starting point is 00:23:54 All he can do is come downhill. He can't cover, can't play man, he can't play zone. He's not a defensive back. Jamal Adams is a defensive lineman now and I am not interested. Mitch Morris. So the center from the Buffalo Bills was released. A lot of you guys were asking about him yesterday. He's 32 years old.

Starting point is 00:24:16 Like, he is not a long time. I would much rather go with the guys we talked about yesterday. Lloyd Cushenberry, Connor Williams, Andre James. I would much rather go with the guys we talked about yesterday. Lloyd Cushenberry, Connor Williams, Andre James. I would much rather go with any of those guys over 32-year-old Mitch Morris. He does not fit the Tennessee Titans timeline.

Starting point is 00:24:33 Lincoln Tomlinson, guard from the Jets. I don't want to pay a guard. Same thing, Mark Glowinski, guard from the Giants. Absolute no for me. JC Jackson at cornerback, not a chance. Not a chance. His last two teams couldn't get rid of him quicker. And then Alexander Madison, no.

Starting point is 00:24:52 Doesn't run with power, fumble, just not interested. Would rather get someone in the draft or just get somebody else. I don't even want to say a cheaper option because Alexander Madison is going to be incredibly cheap. I'm just not interested in him as a player. So I don't think he's a good fit with Tajay Spears. Not interested. So those are some of the big names that have been cut in recent days that could be options for the Titans. Those are the guys I like. The guys I don't like, let me know down below who you like, who you don't like. But with that being said, that is

Starting point is 00:25:24 going to do it for me. No guarantees, but you might get some bonus episodes this weekend because the reality is I'm running out of time for the free agency preview. And this happens every year, but the news comes fast and furious, and I'll always prioritize the latest news over just, you know, a general free agency preview for you guys. It's just the way that I see it. But thank you all so much for tuning in to this week of Locked on Titans. That is

Starting point is 00:25:47 going to do it for me today, folks. As always, I am your host, Tyler Rowland, and this was Locked on Titans.

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Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Tennessee Titans DON'T SIGN Mekhi Becton, Jonah Williams is a FIT & Cap Casualty Bargain Bin

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Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Tennessee Titans DON'T SIGN Mekhi Becton, Jonah Williams is a FIT & Cap Casualty Bargain Bin

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