Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Tennessee Titans Franchise Tag Fallout: Sign Calvin Ridley, Avoid Chris Jones & Tag Trade Options

Starting point is 00:00:00 It was franchise tag deadline day in the NFL, and there are some key players who avoided the tag that the Tennessee Titans need to attack in free agency. I'll tell you who they are 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 Rowland, Titans fans.

Starting point is 00:00:48 Today's edition of the Locked on Titans podcast is brought to you by FanDuel. Make every moment more. Right now, new customers get $150 in bonus bets with any winning $5 bet. That's $150. If your bet wins, visit fanduel.com slash locked on to get started. Tuesday was franchise tag deadline day, and there are a lot of players who got the franchise tag, but a lot of great players who avoided the franchise tag. I'm going to go over some of the top names and tell you whether the Titans should be attacking them in free agency or

Starting point is 00:01:22 avoiding them in free agency. We're also going to talk about players who did get the franchise tag and see if there's anybody worth trading for out of that group. Before we get into it, thank you for making the Locked on Titans podcast your first listen each and every day. Remember, 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 00:01:43 Stay subscribed to the number one Tennessee Titans podcast in the world. Shout out to my everydayers out there tuning in Monday through Friday. Couldn't do it without you guys. And throw a thumbs up on the video if you're watching on YouTube right now. Show is always free. All I ask for in return is the press of a button. With that being said, it's funny that on yesterday's show, my everydayers will remember I spent a lot of time talking about Calvin Ridley and how the Tennessee Titans need to go after Calvin Ridley if he does hit the free agent market.

Starting point is 00:02:16 And ladies and gentlemen, Calvin Ridley is free. The Jacksonville Jaguars used their franchise tag on Josh Allen. We'll talk about that at the end of the show. But the real point here is that Calvin Ridley is going to make it to the free agent market. He is going to be far and away the number one free agent wide receiver available. And I was asked about what kind of contract Calvin Ridley would be looking at. And for me, I would be looking at a three-year

Starting point is 00:02:45 $70 million contract. So about, you know, 22 and a half, $23 million per season. That's below a lot of the top wide receivers in the league that are 25 million or more. So you're going to get Calvin Ridley who can be a number one wide receiver at a lower price tag than some of the other number one wide receivers. I would also give out $45 million in guaranteed money. So basically two years, $22.5 million. I would make that guaranteed. And what you're looking at is you're basically looking at a two-year deal worth $45 million for Calvin Ridley, which I think is completely fair. And with the bump in salary cap, I think that's, you know, that that's a good deal for the Tennessee Titans to get Calvin Ridley, which I think is completely fair. And with the bump in salary cap, I think that's, you know, that's a good deal for the

Starting point is 00:03:28 Tennessee Titans to get Calvin Ridley, who again, he's 29 years old. Well, he missed a year and a half. So, to me, that's a year and a half of tread on his body that he did not take. So really, he's about 27, 27 and a half. If you look at the tread on his

Starting point is 00:03:44 tires, which is, again, makes him a great option. He's an outside receiver. He runs great routes. He has great speed. He's about 190 pounds, but he's 6'1". So you have the size on the outside, and nowadays in the NFL,

Starting point is 00:03:59 a 190-pound receiver, I wouldn't call that small by any means with these 170, 160 pound guys that come in every single year in the draft. So Calvin Ridley checks the box of everything the Titans are looking for. He's not going to be a top tier contract, but he's going to be worth him, you know, worth his salt. Absolutely. He's going to be an outside receiver with speed and incredible route running. Calvin Ridley is one of the best route runners in the NFL. I thought it was funny when A.J. Brown was still in Tennessee. He always talked about how good of a route runner

Starting point is 00:04:31 Calvin Ridley was. He is respected amongst his peers with his ability to do that. So you get a route runner who is going to create separation, who is going to get open, and a lot of people who know better than I do about what's going on in Jacksonville said he was misused. He was used on the wrong routes last year that don't make sense for what he does best. So give me Calvin Ridley with less tread on his tires than the age would say. He's going to hit free agency. He's not going to cost as much as Stephon Diggs and Justin Jefferson and these top tier wide receivers that are getting paid, I think it would be a perfect— and to steal him away from Jacksonville, it would be perfect.

Starting point is 00:05:08 But he's not the only player that I think the Tennessee Titans need to go after that avoided the franchise tag. The next is Michael Nwenyu, the offensive tackle from the New England Patriots. Look, I think that the Titans need to go out there, and they need to get a starting offensive tackle. And on Wenyu moved around quite a bit in recent years, but he found a home at right tackle. He's still only 26 years old.

Starting point is 00:05:38 He's 26 years old. So he fits the timeline of the Tennessee Titans. Now, he's a guy who's been better in gap schemes. I want to know, do the Tennessee Titans think that Michael and when you can fit in a zone run system, which is what the Titans are going to be using. He's been in a gap scheme in New England. So would he fit there? If the Titans think his athleticism can fit within their zone run scheme, the Titans must go after Michael and whenwenu if they think he can fit. I have my concerns about that.

Starting point is 00:06:10 But again, forget my concerns and what I think. If the people inside the building and Bill Callahan and Brian Callahan think that Unwenu will fit the system, then he is a prime candidate for the Titans to go get. The Patriots didn't use the franchise tag. They used the transition tag on safety Kyle Duggar, which, whatever, go ahead. But that means that Unwenu is going to hit free agency.

Starting point is 00:06:33 And a guy with his versatility to move around the offensive line, let's say the Titans are able to get two really good offensive tackles in the draft. You can kick Unwenu into right guard. And now you have a very good right guard. I think it would be better to leave him at right tackle. I think that's where he fits best. But again, Calvin Ridley and Michael Unwenu would be at the top of the list for options at wide receiver and offensive tackle for me. Can the Titans get them both?

Starting point is 00:07:00 Probably not. That's probably not going to be an option. But I think the Titans would absolutely be smart to get their hands on at least one of them. For me, I would prefer Calvin Ridley. I would rather go there and have that in the bank. But if the Titans came home with Michael and Wenyu after shopping in free agency, I couldn't be mad at Rantaclaus whatsoever.

Starting point is 00:07:23 So two guys who avoided the franchise tag, who make a ton of sense for the Tennessee Titans. We got to look at some players who avoided the franchise tag who don't make a lot of sense for the Tennessee Titans. And then we'll also look at some franchise tag players who the Titans could consider in a trade. So a lot to discuss on today's show before we get into it. Do want to let you guys know that today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel.

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Starting point is 00:08:22 Make sure that you visit FanDuel.com slash LockedOn and shoot your shot. FanDuel, official sportsbook partner of the Locked on Titans podcast, breaking down franchise tag deadline day in the NFL. It was Tuesday, 4 p.m. Eastern. Now we got the guys who did not get franchise tag.

Starting point is 00:09:04 Like I just said, Calvin Ridley, Michael Unwenu make a ton of sense for me, and those are going to be great options for the Titans. Let me know which one of those options you prefer if you had to choose. Let's make it tough on you guys in the comment section out there. But there are some players who didn't get the franchise tag who the Titans must avoid, all right? And number one, I'm not breaking any news to you guys, but it's the running backs. Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, the Titans must avoid any high priced running back.

Starting point is 00:09:35 It does not make sense. I've banged this drum for years and years now. I'm going to continue doing it because the data, the trends, and just logic in the NFL has made it overwhelming. You do not pay high-priced running backs. You don't. Look, Isaiah Pacheco, what he just did for the Kansas City Chiefs. Look at the Baltimore Ravens with Justice Hill and Gus Edwards. I mean, even the Lions.

Starting point is 00:10:03 The Lions went and got Jameer Gibbs, of course, in the first round because the rest of their team is absolutely stacked. But in free agency, they just went out and got David Montgomery. They didn't pay some big-priced running back. That is not what you do. That is not the smart way to build a team in the NFL, is to pay high-priced running backs, especially when you're in the situation that the Tennessee Titans are in,

Starting point is 00:10:24 where they need to completely build out their roster. If it was the 2019 Titans and they wanted to, you know, and they didn't have Derrick Henry and they wanted to go out and get a Saquon or whatever to add to the roster, then sure. I mean, I still wouldn't have been for it, but at least would have made more sense. But at the end of the day, it is clear cut. It is obvious. 15 Super Bowls in a row. The leading rusher in the Super Bowl has made less than $5 million. Like, the proof is right in front of you. If you don't want to listen to it, that's on you. But the Titans do not need to pay a high-priced running back contract.

Starting point is 00:11:02 I don't want the Titans to pay Derrick Henry. And Derrick Henry is going to make less money than Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs. Probably won't even be close. Josh Jacobs and Saquon Barkley are wanting $10 million or more. Derrick Henry is probably going to be more between the $6 million to $8 million range. Alright? So, I'm totally out on any of these high-priced running backs. Their teams are out on paying them big-time money as well.

Starting point is 00:11:25 So, with that being said, we'll move forward to the next position, and it's defensive tackle. And it was a bit of a surprise, but Christian Wilkins from the Miami Dolphins did not get the franchise tag. Now, the other name that we have to talk about is Chris Jones, who did not get the franchise tag from the Chiefs. I'm expecting him to go back to the Chiefs for a long-term deal. But either way, if these guys do hit the free agent market, the Titans don't need to pay them. They just gave

Starting point is 00:11:49 $100 million to Jeffrey Simmons, who plays the three technique, just like these guys. Now, Chris Jones will move around the line. Any good defensive lineman should be able to move around a little bit. But at the end of the day, Chris Jones and Christian Wilkins play the same position as Jeffrey Simmons. Why would you give out $200 million deals to guys who play the same spot? You wouldn't. It doesn't make any sense. Look at wide receiver around the league. Why are people talking about Brandon Ayuk being traded? Why are people talking about T. Higgins being traded? It are people talking about Tee Higgins being traded?

Starting point is 00:12:27 It's because you cannot pay, or let me say this, it is not smart to build your team with two $25 million wide receivers. It doesn't make any sense to put that much money into one position. Similarly, with defensive line, the Titans have Harold Landry making over $20 million in cap hit this year. They just gave Arden Key $7 million a year. They could bring back Danico

Starting point is 00:12:53 Autry as well, but they just paid Jeffrey Simmons $100 million to be Christian Wilkins, to be Chris Jones. So it does not make any sense at all for the Titans to double down. All right? It's like going into your grocery shopping. All right? And you got $5 in the grocery shopping nowadays. Let's say $7 allocated to a frozen pizza. And you go in and you're like, you know what?

Starting point is 00:13:22 I'm going to buy two frozen pizzas, and now I can't get strawberries or blueberries. Why would you do that? You're already getting one pizza. Why would you need two? You need other things. You need fruits and vegetables. You need produce.

Starting point is 00:13:36 You need meat. You can't spend that much of your budget on just frozen pizzas. So, to me, this is not even a question. I know, listen, I don't think that Saquon Barkley or, this is not even a question. I know, listen, I don't think that Saquon Barkley or Josh Jacobs is worth any of it. But, Chris Jones and Christian Wilkins, they are going to be worth whatever

Starting point is 00:13:54 contract they get. They are very good players. So, it's not that I don't think that they're worth the money. It's that the Titans already spent their money on that spot. There is no need to double down there. It does not make any sense. Alright, so that's how I feel about running back and defensive tackle.

Starting point is 00:14:12 There were some other names that didn't get franchise tag that are pretty obvious no's, if you ask me. Number one is Baker Mayfield. Okay, let me just take a moment and say this. Because I had somebody, and I'm not trying to be rude here, but I had somebody ask me about Russell Wilson for the Titans. And Russell Wilson's probably going to sign on a veteran minimum deal because he's got all set language in his Broncos contract.

Starting point is 00:14:36 Basically, any money that he gets from a new team subtracts money from what the Broncos have to pay him. So why would he do that? No, I'm going to take a vet minimum for my new team. Give them the biggest cap relief that I possibly can. And screw the Broncos and take as much of their money as I possibly can. That's what he should do. So even if.

Starting point is 00:14:56 Russell Wilson. Is on a veteran minimum. Why would the. Like. Some of it is. Some of it is Will Levis haters. People just hate Will Levis no matter what he does. They're going to hate Will Levis.

Starting point is 00:15:10 They're going to say the Titans quarterback sucks. They need a new quarterback. But the other part of it is, people overrating Russell Wilson. Look, Russell Wilson played okay last year. Better than he played in 2022. That's for sure. But Russell Wilson is okay last year. Better than he played in 2022. That's for sure. But Russell Wilson is 35 years old.

Starting point is 00:15:29 How much different is he than Ryan Tannehill? Imagine if I was sitting here telling you, oh, the Titans should sign Ryan Tannehill instead of playing Will Levis. What? Why would they do that? So even if Russell Wilson and Will Levis are comparable players right now, the upside of Will Levis and what he can mean for your franchise in the near future far exceeds any value that you're getting

Starting point is 00:15:54 from a mid-Russell Wilson who's a bridge quarterback at best at this point in his career. So just insane to me. And I feel the same about Baker Mayfield. Like I would take Will Levis over Baker Mayfield right now. If I had to have a quarterback for the next three years, I would take Will Levis over Russell Wilson right now. So, why would I sign those people?

Starting point is 00:16:15 Anyways, I think Baker Mayfield's going back to Tampa Bay on a long-term deal. There's no way that they franchise tag Antoine Winfield Jr. They give a two-year deal to Mike Evans, and then they don't have an answer at quarterback. Like, that doesn't make any sense. So, Baker Mayfield, nonsense, not interested, and I don't think he's really going to be available by the time we hit free agency next week anyway.

Starting point is 00:16:38 And then the last name, out of all the guys, the notable guys who didn't get franchise tag, because obviously more players than not did not get franchise tag, but the notable names. The last one is Xavier McKinney. Okay, and look. Xavier McKinney is a really good safety. All right.

Starting point is 00:16:56 From the New York Giants, really good player. But again, I'm not spending big time money at safety, especially when you look at the safety market. Quandre Diggs, Rayshon Jenkins, both got released on Tuesday. Jamal Adams got released, but he's not a safety. He's a defensive lineman at this point.

Starting point is 00:17:16 Don't talk to me about Jamal Adams. I have nothing nice to say. It doesn't make any sense at all, but we'll talk about some of those cap cut guys later in the week. But Xavier McKinney, very good player, but you're paying Amani Hooker $10 million. You're going to be able to get a Geno Stone. You're going to be able to get a good

Starting point is 00:17:32 safety in free agency for cheap with the way that this class is working out. You're going to get a good value there. There's just no reason to pay $14, $15, $16 million for Xavier McKinney. I'm just not putting money into safety anymore. I'm not doing it.

Starting point is 00:17:47 It's not a value position. Edge rusher, cornerback, offensive line, wide receiver, quarterback. Those are the positions that you pay. So, Xavier McKinney, good player. But I'm going to pass. All right? Would you guys sign any of these non-tagged players? Saquon, Josh Jacobs, Chris Jones, Christian Wilkins, Baker Mayfield, Xavier McKinney.

Starting point is 00:18:11 Would you sign any of them? Do you think I'm crazy? Let me know down below. But now, I want to talk about the players who did get franchise tagged and if any of them are worth trading for the Tennessee Titans. Before we get into it though, I do want to let you guys know that today's episode is brought to you by eBay Motors. Passion.

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Starting point is 00:19:13 Keep your ride or die alive at ebaymotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay guaranteed fit only available to U.S. customers. Titans fans, let's cap off today's edition of the Locked on Titans podcast breaking down franchise tag deadline day in the NFL we talked about two players who avoided down franchise tag deadline day in the NFL. We talked about two players who avoided the franchise tag who the Titans should go after,

Starting point is 00:19:49 and Calvin Ridley and Michael Unwenu. We talked about the players who avoided the franchise tag that the Titans should not go after. Now I want to talk about the players who did get the franchise tag who the Titans maybe should consider trading for. Before we get into that, I do want to thank you for making the Locked on Titans podcast your first listen each and every day.

Starting point is 00:20:06 It's your team every day here on Locked on Titans. But I also want to let you know that Locked on has launched the first ever national sports 24-7 streaming channel on YouTube. And now it's also available on Amazon Fire TV and the Free Fire TV channels app. Locked on Sports Today is here for you 24-7 covering the top sports stories of the day with local experts from Locked On

Starting point is 00:20:26 and coverage of every league from our national shows. Go to Locked On Sports Today now. It's available on the free Fire TV channels app. But as for the players who did get the franchise tag, we have Michael Pittman, Indianapolis Colts. And let me just say this. They gave him the non-exclusive franchise tag, which means Pittman can go out and negotiate with other teams.

Starting point is 00:20:52 I think that's pretty interesting right there. But also, Brian Burns, edge rusher, Carolina Panthers, franchise tag. Jalen Johnson, cornerback, Chicago Bears, franchise tag. LeJarius Sneed, cornerback, Kansas City. Safety, Antoine Winfield from Tampa Bay. Josh Allen, edge rusher, Jacksonville Jaguars. T. Higgins, of course, wide receiver, Cincinnati Bengals, and Justin Matabike, defensive lineman from the Baltimore Ravens.

Starting point is 00:21:19 Guys, I have said it before, and let me just take a moment to explain this. So a lot of you guys, when you complain about me, you say I contradict myself a lot. And I think that you're just not understanding what I'm saying in an intelligent way. You're just unable to process the nature in which I'm explaining these decisions. So T. Higgins, perfect example. I don't want the Titans to trade for T. Higgins. I do not think that that would be a smart move

Starting point is 00:21:55 to trade draft picks and give T. Higgins a big-time contract. I don't think that would be a smart move for the Titans. But just because that's what I think doesn't mean that the Titans agree. If the Titans trade for T. Higgins tomorrow, and I spent all my time saying, I don't want them to trade for T. Higgins, and I didn't go over the possible trade options that they would have,

Starting point is 00:22:19 that would be a bad job by me as the host of this show. So even if I don't agree with doing something, I'm still going to go through the thought process of what it would look like if the Titans did it. I don't want the Titans to trade down in the NFL draft. I do not want them to do that. But I am absolutely going to go over trade down scenarios on the show. Because what if the Titans don't agree with me?

Starting point is 00:22:48 What if the Titans do want to trade down? It would be a disservice to you as the listener for me to take my own personal opinion and use that as a way to completely avoid those conversations. I don't want the Titans to trade for any of these franchise tag guys. But they might. So if they might. So if they might do it, then I need to talk about it.

Starting point is 00:23:11 I need to go over what it would look like. I need to discuss what would be their options. So keep that in mind when you guys talk about contradicting. I'm not contradicting myself. I'm being honest. This is what I would do, but this is what might happen. That is my job, to go through all of those scenarios. So just keep that in your mind when I'm saying,

Starting point is 00:23:34 hey, I don't want to do this, but if they did, and that is what the T. Higgins conversation has people such in a frazzle. They're like, wait, why are you giving trade packages for T. Higgins when you said you didn't want to trade for him? Well, the Titans might. And if the Titans do trade for him, I want to go over what those trades could look like with you guys because that's the job. All right?

Starting point is 00:23:55 So with that being said, I wouldn't do these trades. But if there's anybody on this list of franchise tag players that we just went over that the Titans need to trade for, for me, there's only two names that make sense. Number one, T. Higgins. Again, I wouldn't do it, but the Titans aren't crazy if they go out and try to make a trade for T. Higgins. I think we all understand that, right?

Starting point is 00:24:18 The only other name that I think the Titans would even entertain trading for is Brian Burns. Now, Carolina turned down a trade package for Brian Burns from the Rams earlier this year with two first-round picks in it. They're not getting that. They're not getting two first-round picks for Brian Burns now. There is a very small handful of players in the NFL

Starting point is 00:24:41 that are worth two first-round picks, and Brian Burns is not there. But, if the Titans were able to give up a 2025, handful of players in the NFL that are worth two first round picks and Brian Burns is not there. But if the Titans were able to give up a 2025 first round pick for Brian Burns who's 26 years old one of the top edge rushers in the NFL

Starting point is 00:24:56 an athletic freak look, I talked about the money on the defensive line, but I don't want to pay Chris Jones and Christian Wilkins. They play the same position as Jeffrey Simmons. But paying an edge rusher, and then

Starting point is 00:25:12 maybe after this year you move on from Harold Landry, and now you have Brian Burns and you have Jeffrey Simmons as the bedrock of your pass rush, you are cooking right there, ladies and gentlemen. That is one of the best pass rush duos in the entire NFL. Period.

Starting point is 00:25:29 Two of the top five players at their position in the NFL. When I talk about blue chip players, this is what I mean. You take the opportunity, and let's just call it what it is. Brian Burns is a better player than Tee Higgins. So, would I want the Titans to make either of those trades? No, I would not.

Starting point is 00:25:50 But, if the Titans think it's right to do, I think the only two names that make sense would be to go after Tee Higgins or go after Brian Burns. That's where I'm at with the franchise tag guys. Ultimately, I think most of them, other than Tee Higgins, I don't think any of them get traded. Although I think the Panthers should trade Brian Burns rather than bring him back on a long-term deal. But very interesting, again, the Michael Pittman situation. They weren't close to a long-term deal according to reports

Starting point is 00:26:20 and they didn't give him the exclusive franchise tag. They gave him the non-exclusive franchise tag so he can go out and negotiate with other teams. It's kind of wild. Kind of wild. But from the Colts' perspective, is Michael Pittman a true number one wide receiver in the NFL? I don't think so.

Starting point is 00:26:38 So I'm not giving him $25-plus million a year. I'm not doing it. So, like, I would take Tee Higgins over Michael Pittman. I know that last year's stats don't make that look good, but talent, if we're just looking at how talented the player is, I'm definitely taking T. Higgins over Michael Pittman. So, that's my thoughts

Starting point is 00:26:56 on that. Let me know how you guys feel down below. That, my friends, is going to do it for today's show. Tomorrow, we're either diving into the offensive line in free agency preview, or looking at some of these cap cut guys. A lot to discuss, but that's going to do it for today's show. Tomorrow, we're either diving into the offensive line and free agency preview or looking at some of these cap cut guys. A lot to discuss. But that's going to do it for me today, folks.

Starting point is 00:27:09 As always, I'm your host, Tyler Rowland, and this is Locked on Titans.

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Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Tennessee Titans Franchise Tag Fallout: Sign Calvin Ridley, Avoid Chris Jones & Tag Trade Options

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