Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Tennessee Titans GOODBYE Abdul Carter in the NFL Draft, Sneed Must Bounce Back & Linebacker is Set

Episode Date: March 26, 2025

The Tennessee Titans seem to be embracing Cam Ward is their next franchise quarterback, but that means they are also saying goodbye to Abdul Carter as an option. That leaves them with a difficult path to solidifying the edges on defense and they will like still need to use a high pick at the position. L'Jarius Sneed will need to bounce back in a major way for the Titans as the release of Chido Awuzie hurt the Titans depth at the position. At linebacker, the Titans basically have the numbers they need and really only need one more addition with a low-value asset. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNFL at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year.FanDuelRight now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

The Tennessee Titans look like they will be picking Cam Ward number one, which means they could say goodbye to Abdul Carter and hello to a major need on the edge. I'll break down how to fix it on today's edition of Locked on Titan. 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 rolling Titans fans. Today's edition of the locked on Titans podcast is brought to you by game time.

Download the game time app, create an account, use the code locked on NFL for $20 off your first purchase on today's show. We're going to take a look at the entire defensive side of the ball. We're going to look at what additions the Tennessee Titans still need to make and how they shouldn't make them, whether it be draft, free agency, or boat. We're going to start with the edge rushers, with the defensive linemen. We're going to start with the edge rushers with the defensive linemen. We're going to go to the defensive backfield. We're going to finish with linebackers and special teams. If you missed the offensive version of this discussion, it was the show yesterday. So make sure that you go back and check that out. But before we dive into our

defensive roster review, you want to 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 that you get subscribed, stay subscribed. It's your team every day. Speaking of every day, shout out to my every dayers out there tuning in Monday through Friday. Couldn't do it without you guys. If you aren't an every dayer, you need to be one because there's breaking news all the time around this time of year, not to mention the draft is right around the corner and I'm going to be going over 180 to 200 draft prospects with you guys so you're up to date for the NFL Draft at every single position. But with that being said, we got to start with the EDGE rusher group because

the reality of the conversation that has taken place this week amongst the Tennessee Titans and about the Tennessee Titans has been basically focused on cam ward. Things have really, really heated up with the pro day happening. Some of the reports that we're getting coming out of it, even the Adam Schefter tweet, like the price has definitely gone up because the Tennessee Titans really like cam ward. A lot of people in the NFL are operating as if the Tennessee Titans will pick cam ward number one.

That is the sentiment right now. And we're seeing teams take action based on that. We saw the New York giants go out and sign Russell Wilson. Well, you're not signing Russell Wilson and Jamis Winston. If you're trading up for a quarterback at number one overall, that's not happening. So the giants probably heard the news coming out of the pro day. Like, oh, wow. The Titans are taking them.

We could go ahead and go. And now they sign Russell Wilson. So if we take that and look, that's what I believe as well for my conversations. And from what I've seen from the Titans so far throughout the process, I think the pick will be Cam Ward, which means that it won't be Abdul Carter. Now, again, I have made this point as much as any one content creator could make one single point. My preference was Abdul Carter and a trade back in the draft.

Now with that preference, I have said consistently, if the Tennessee Titans believe in one of these quarterbacks as their franchise quarterback, then you gotta pick them. And I'm completely on board because I like what Cam Ward brings to the table. I like what Shidr Sanders brings to the table. Am I as confident in those quarterbacks as I've been in quarterback prospects in the past? Not quite, but that doesn't mean much at the end of the day. You know what I mean? Even professional NFL evaluators get the quarterback evaluation wrong. So the type of going QB, I'm in, but the problem with that is they also

have an insane need at Edge Russia and you look at what they have right now, even with, even with two free agent additions, Arden key, Lorenzo Carter. And I talked about Carter after he was signed, he is a run defense player. He is not a pass rusher. He had zero sacks last year and only seven in the last three years total. This is not a great pass rusher. He's six foot five, 260 pounds.

Like this is a big physical edge setting run defender and Lorenzo Carter. Then you have Draymond Jones, who again is classified as an edge rusher for, you know, I guess convenience. But the reality is Draymond Jones is an up and down the line of scrimmage guy. He's more of, I would say like a tweener between a defensive end and an outside linebacker. Even a guy who can rush at the three technique. He's nowhere near as good as Danico Autri, but similar skill set in the sense of he could play up and down the line of scrimmage in pass rushing situations. But Draymond Jones isn't a very good run defender.

And then you have Jalen Harrell and you have Ali Gaye. For me, after signing two edge rushers who are veterans and having Arden Key, who's a veteran, this sets up the Tennessee Titans must draft. The Tennessee Titans must draft an edge rusher with one of their top four picks. Like it's quarterback at number one, edge rusher and wide receiver. And then I'll give them a pass on whatever they want to do with the other pick. They want to go interior offensive line.

They want to go offensive tackle. They want to go corner. They want to go linebacker. They want to go tight end. They want to go running back. Honestly, with that, if they find a way to trade down in the second round and pick up an extra third round pick one of those four picks, they could do whatever they want with, like they could, they could, you know, go off the board of what we

logically expect free pass, but the way the roster is right now, and if you're passing on Abdul Carter to go with cam ward, which is fine with me, I'm on board. I'm in, but that creates a massive needed edge. And again, with one of those top 100 top four picks, if they trade down, one of those picks have to be an edge rusher. And this is a really good edge rusher class. So the Titans will probably add another two, maybe even three edge rushers by the time we get to training camp.

But as for what's actually important to the real 53 man roster, it's a drafted guy and a drafted guy on day two. If the right guy falls to 35 James Pierce, Jr. Devin as a Roku. Um, I know that I didn't pronounce that properly to be honest with you. Mike green, for example, um, Shamar Stewart, um, Mikel Williams. Like I don't expect. Uh, most of these names to be available there.

I expect them to go early, even mid late first round. But if one of those guys drops to 35 with how big the need is at edge, it would be hard for the Titans to pass. And look, I know there are some character concerns about James Pierce Jr. right now, but if the Titans left the draft with Cam Ward and James Pierce Jr., I'm doing the show with my shirt on. You know what I mean? Like we are, we are partying.

So draft and edge rusher high in the draft. That's the only move left that I think the Tennessee Titans need to make at edge rusher interior defensive line is super easy. You have Simmons, you have sweat, you have Sebastian Joseph day, you have Keandre Coburn, you need to add a couple more guys. I think the Titans will probably have six interior defensive linemen on the 53 man roster. So either draft an interior defensive lineman on day three of the draft. Pick up a couple and undrafted free agency if you don't want to use a pick on it. And you think you can get a guy after the draft. And the Titans already met with an interior defensive lineman. That's like a big bulky nose tackle type and Cam Jackson from Florida.

So clearly they're interested in end of the draft options on the interior defensive line. Which they should be. You should constantly be looking for young depth. I didn't like the depth that the Titans had last year. Keandre Coburn turned into a decent player. James Lynch, actually, when the Titans picked him up, turned into a decent player, but they absolutely need a replacement for SJD. They need a backup for sweat.

Like they need interior defensive line depth. One thing I do want to mention here, and I mentioned it yesterday, I do believe, but I'll mention it again. Or it was two days ago, the Tennessee Titans are number one in the waiver claim throughout the entire off season. It's not like your fantasy football draft where once you make a waiver claim, you go to the bottom of the list. The Titans are up at the top.

They've already claimed a linebacker and Curtis Jacobs, who we're going to talk about later in the show. So I would expect the Titans to use quite a bit of waiver claims. When I say, you know, undrafted free agent or something like that depth signing, think about a waiver claim as an option there too. But the Titans desperately needed edge, just need some depth on the interior defensive line. Let's go to the defensive backfield.

Do want to let you guys know that today's episode is brought to you by Game Time. The college basketball tournament is here. It is going on. It is so much fun. And just imagine watching your favorite team live during the big college basketball tournament, feeling the energy of the crowd, witnessing unforgettable moments. There's nothing like experiencing a big game in person and getting tickets to that game should not be stressful. That's where Game Time comes in, making it easier than ever to grab last minute seats at unbeatable prices. You get Game Time picks, which brings the best value tickets to sports, concert, comedy, theater, right to you. You also get a panoramic view from your seat. So you know what you're going to be looking at.

No surprise fees and a lowest price guarantee. So you could book with total confidence, take the guesswork out of buying tickets with game time, download the game time app, create an account, use the code locked on NFL for $20 off your first purchase. That's L O C K E D O N NFL for $20 off. Download game time today. Last minute tickets lowest price guaranteed. Titans fans. Let's continue today's edition of the locked on Titans fans. Let's continue today's edition of the locked on Titans podcast. We talked about the trenches for the Titans on defense.

We talked about interior defensive line and edge rusher, obviously edge rusher, not going to have a chance at Abdul Carter, which makes it imperative that you get a high level edge rusher in the first couple of picks in the draft, but outside of interior defensive line where the Titans just need depth and edge rusher the secondary is going to be an interesting place to watch because the Tennessee Titans could do a Multitude of different things before I get into it do want to thank you again for making locked on Titans 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. And April begins next week, which means it is time for our 2025 locked on Titans NFL draft preview series. I go position by position. I go through the day one, day two, day three options for the Titans. Who are the best fits their height, weight, speed, day two, day three options for the Titans who are the best fits, their height, weight, speed, skill sets, strengths, weaknesses, all of that different stuff. Every single position 180 to 200 different prospects every year. Make sure that you don't

miss that out. Probably might, might, might be starting that next week with like a full breakdown episode on cam work. But with with that being said in the secondary Ligeria Steve obviously at the top Jarvis Brownlee jr. I believe moves into the second starting cornerback role and then you're starting slot cornerback as it has been since he was a rookie is Roger McCreary now after releasing Cheeto Awuzie, that means that the Titans only have those three as their starters. Their backup option right now is Darrell Baker Jr. Darrell Baker Jr. performed very well for the Titans last year, so it made sense that they

brought him back on an exclusive rights free agent deal. Happy that they did that, but at the end of the day, you're going to need more cornerbacks than four. Quite honestly, the Titans usually go into training camp with like nine cornerbacks, a bunch, you need a bunch of players there because think if you're running three teams of defense, you got to have three teams of cornerbacks, two outside and one inside, two outside and one inside, two outside and one inside. Now with filling out the rest of that, I think that this is a spot where the Titans could surprise us. We didn't think that the Titans were going to go cornerback early in the 2022 draft, right? They went with Roger McCreary at pick

number 35. We didn't necessarily expect that from the Titans. It was a bit of a shocker that they went cornerback there. And I think that the Titans could shock people again. I would prefer to take a cornerback late, like day three, take a cornerback to be a depth piece, to battle, play special teams, all that. But here's a reality. Roger McCreary is a free agent after the year. If Legerius' need is an outright disaster this year, they may move on from him as well. So while it may not seem like a very big need at cornerback and look I'm not telling you that it is. It could be a major need next year. We could wake up this time next year and the only good cornerback on the team

is Jarvis Brownlee Jr. going into his third season. Sometimes in the draft you don't just draft for what you need this year. You draft for your needs ahead. That's part of the job as well. That's why you see the Titans take Roger McCreary when it doesn't seem like they need a cornerback. That's why you see teams double up at certain positions. You're like, why in the world would they do that? Well, just look ahead a little bit. Look at the contracts.

Look at the roster compensation. Composition. I mean, sometimes that so quarterback, when I say the Titans top four picks in the draft, however, they get them or whatever they happen to be, you go quarterback, you go wide receiver and you go edge. And then you have that fourth pick. That's, that's picked as your, like I could see the Titans going with a quarterback in that, but more importantly than any of this. So go out and draft one, you're going to need a bunch of undrafted free agents there, another vet signing. But for, for the fifth cornerback spot that matters on the roster, I would

like the Titans to see the Titans either draft someone on day three and an undrafted free agent in there. Cause Darrell Baker Jr. has a little bit of experience. Get a young guy. But more important than anything with the cornerback position, Legerius Need has to bounce back. Legerius Need has to play better. The Titans gave up their third round pick this year for him. They paid him a bunch of money, top five amongst cornerbacks at the time. Like what the Tennessee Titans really need is him to just get back to playing good football. Be available, be healthy, be out there.

Don't just, you know, be money on fire at the end of the day. So we can talk about the cornerback position and I'll continue to break down the depth that they need and all of that. But you know what the Titans desperately need? Legerius need to bounce back. That's what matters. Now, if you look at the safety position, things are more malleable there.

Imani Hooker, probably the last year that he's with the Titans, it's the last year of his deal. You have Xavier Woods who was just signed, but I mean, basically it's a one year deal worth $3 million. It's 1 million of dead cap next year. So you could say like one year, 4 million is like the total money output. But for salary cap purposes, for Titans fans, it's one year, $3 million for Xavier Woods. He's 30. It's not a Titans fan. money output, but for salary cap purposes for the Titans fans, it's one year, $3 million for Xavier Woods.

He's 30. It's not, the Titans' safety position is totally unsolved right now. They brought back Mike Brown and you guys know if you've been listening to the show, if you're an everydayer, you know I like Mike Brown more than most. I think he's a very solid depth safety. Is he a starting safety? No. Do I want him out there playing coverage on third downs? Not necessarily, no. But he's solid. But I really do think that the Tennessee Titans need to draft somebody here.

Now they're gonna add three or four more players at safety. And they have like Julius Wood still on the roster too, I think. But this is a place where I'd love to see the Titans draft someone. Now, whether that be a mid round pick, like a Jonas Sanker or, um, Kevin Winston from Penn state or an Andrew McCuba, uh, McCuba from Texas, who I think might end up going in the second round, to be honest with you, but if it's like someone in that range,

I would love that for the Titans. Say they go quarterback, wide receiver, edge rusher, and then would pick 103. 103. I'm going to do that too much. Sorry. If you get the reference, you get it then. Shout out the snowman. But when I talk about those four picks, safety could be that pick de jour, you know what I mean? Go quarterback, go edge, go wide receiver, and then maybe you hit safety at 103, one-twenty. Like I don't think that that would be insane. If the Titans went, I feel that way about like linebacker and safety and tight end and, you know, interior defensive line, even

interior offensive line running back, like all of these non-premium positions that aren't the five alarm fires for the Titans, the other positions are, I still feel like because this draft class is not like a really, really good draft class. If you have a player at a non-premium position who is a great player, I would rather have that player in this draft than maybe a good player at a premium position. I don't know if that makes sense to everyone listening out there, but I hope it does. You know what I mean? Like in a draft class that isn't great.

Non-premium players like Peter Skronsky at number 11, they become more possible because you don't feel like you're losing out on elite talents at premium positions. You know what I mean? If a lot of these edge rushers go off the board, if the top four or five wide receivers go off the board, I picked number 35 and the Titans can't get a trade back. I don't want them to just reach for an edge or reach for a wide receiver. Like I don't think you should take Trey Harris or Elec Ayo Manor or, uh, Kyle Williams or, you know, whoever you want it to be, I don't think you should take any of those guys at 35.

And I don't think that I'm willing to take a Braden Swenson or Josiah Stewart or, you know, uh, honestly, even like a Jack Sawyer. I don't know if I'm willing to take them at 35 either, but like, for example, if a Marion Hampton is there, Trayvion Henderson is there, Jahad Campbell is there. Colston Loveland or God forbid, you know, Tyler Warren is there. If Nick Amanwari or Malachi Starks is still there. If Gray Zebel is still there. Maybe a Tyler Booker, which I'm not as high on, but the Titans could be because he does fit what they look for. Just the, the athletic scores are so bad there.

I don't know if you could take him that early, but like, I'm just saying I'm keeping my options open for the Titans. And if they go somewhere that I didn't expect because the talent is undeniable, I'm just not going to be mad about it. And speaking of those things, we're going to talk about linebacker right now, because while I wouldn't be upset if they were to get like a Jihad Campbell, because I think he's nasty, he's probably going to go in the first round. The reality is that's probably of the locked on Titans podcast. We talked about the edge rusher spot, the interior defensive line.

We've talked about cornerback. We've talked about safety. Now I want to talk about linebacker and talk about special teams. The Tennessee Titans made a signing on Wednesday and it's a wide receiver, but I feel like it needs to be placed in the special teams category anyway. So we'll talk about that before we get into it. Thanks again for making locked on Titans your first listen for your second listen, check out locked on NFL draft. My guy, Keith Sanchez and my guy, Damien Parson, they're getting you

ready to go for the NFL draft. I'm talking draft a ton here in the next couple of weeks. Get some more draft content. It's that time of the year locked on NFL draft free and available on all platforms. Everywhere did you get your podcast, but look at it linebacker. This is the position on the Titans roster right now, where I think. Honestly, they need the least amount of additions to be ready for training camp. The Titans will probably take six or seven off ball linebackers into training

camp and they have Cody Barton, Otis Reese, uh, Cedric Gray, James Williams, Curtis Jacobs, like they already have five. So with that in mind, I've said throughout the off season that I don't really want the Titans to go out there and spend a bunch of money at linebacker. And they didn't with Cody Barton. They just went and got another average starting linebacker, average starting linebacker money instead of overpaying for a guy like Nick Bolton or like Patrick Queen last year, Aziz Al-Shair last year.

Insanity, what the Texans paid Aziz in my opinion, but I don't want to do that. Now I liked the money that Kenneth Murray got last year. I just didn't like Kenneth Murray, you know, like let's pick somebody else in that price range. But Cody Barton is a guy I do like. I do like his skill set and With him on a cost-controlled contract at the top of the debt chart and then one of the young linebackers Reese Grey William stepping up and then now you bring in Curtis Jacobs who was an undrafted free agent last year. It's basically a rookie Like you have four really really young guys at linebacker

So either you get an undrafted free agent at the end of the drug. Like if you don't take a linebacker super early because you get an incredible value, like a Jahad Campbell, like a Jaylen Walker, something like that. Jaylen Walker probably going on top 10 though, but I'm just giving you examples of what I mean. If you get an opportunity to get, you know, a talent like that, then you do it. Of course you do it. Like anything's open. You never go into the draft saying I will not do this because you don't know how it's going to unfold.

You know, you can't predetermine anything. It's like a quarterback predetermine in their read when they're going to throw it. Like eventually they're going to throw something at you that you didn't expect. And you're going to make a big mistake. If you try to be that ironclad about things. You gotta be malleable in life in general because things are never going to go exactly the way that you want. So if they go a certain way, I'm fine with it, but I think the more realistic outcome here is that the Titans just add an undrafted free agent linebacker or add one late on day three with one of their, you know, 163 178 188, something like that.

Like one of those picks makes more sense to go with the linebacker or even an undrafted free agent. Now what the Titans could also do is they could look to sign a more veteran player, like a depth player. Think about Luke Gifford. He's with San Francisco now, but what he's been for the Titans, that's more of a you're a special teams ACE kind of guy. I could see that but

Unless a great talent falls I would not expect the Titans to use any of their important picks or make any kind of additional high value Contract signing at the linebacker position, but at special teams You have Morgan Cox at long snapper Johnny hecker at punter Joey Sly at kicker. And the Titans have just recently signed as of Wednesday, James Prochet, wide receiver. He played three years for the Baltimore Ravens, played two years for the Cleveland Browns. Look guys, I'm not going to sugar coat this. James Prochet is depth of depth.

Like this is a low end wide receiver, five wide receiver, six. He's 28 years old, five 11, 193 pounds. Again, five seasons in the NFL. He's played 62 games in his career made 28 catches for 299 yards in five seasons. made 28 catches for 299 yards in five seasons. However, 68 career kickoff returns, 416 special team snaps. So that's why I put James Prochet in here,

because the reality is this is a guy who's gonna be fighting to be the Tennessee Titans kick returner. He's not really gonna help much at wide receiver. Don't get your hopes up there. So that's it. Special teams. I think the Titans could use a developmental punter at this point, just like they did with Ryan Stonehouse. Remember when we had to accept that situation and let, you know, Brett Kern go.

The Titans, heckers, 34, 35, the Titans need to start developing a punter in the background. So let's get a punter into training camp and let him compete. You know what I mean? And see if he develops, but, um, that's really all I see was special teams, you know, Joey slice 29. So we're locked in there for a little bit anyway, but with that being said, that is going to do it for me today. As always, I am your host Tyler Tyler Ruolin, and this was Locked on Titans.