Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Tennessee Titans L'Jarius Sneed Trade Offers, Target Top Centers & Avoid Big Guard Contracts

Episode Date: March 6, 2024

The Tennessee Titans are one of the teams reported to be interested in Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L'Jarius Sneed and to get him it will likely cost more than the Titans can pay, but Tyler breaks out a few trade packages that could make some sense for the Titans, even if they likely wouldn't be accepted. Next, the Titans have a major need on the interior of the offensive line and a player like Connor Williams or Andre James in free agency could fit the bill. Finally, the Titans need to avoid paying big-time guard contracts to players like Robert Hunt or Kevin Dotson. Follow Tyler on Twitter @TicTacTitans Follow the show on Facebook @LockedOnTitansPod Subscribe to the Locked On Titans YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/LockedOnTitans/videos Subscribe to the TicTacTitans Film Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@TicTacTitans Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!eBay MotorsFor parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotos.com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. NissanOur friends at Nissan have a lineup of SUV’s with the capabilities to take your adventure to the next level. Take the Nissan Rogue, Nissan Pathfinder, or Nissan Armada and go find your next big adventure. Shop NissanUSA.com. RobinhoodRobinhood has the only IRA that gives you a 3% boost on every dollar you contribute when you subscribe to Robinhood Gold. Now through April 30th, Robinhood is even boosting every single dollar you transfer in from other retirement accounts with a 3% match. Available to U.S. customers in good standing. Robinhood Financial LLC (member SIPC), is a registered broker dealer. BetterHelpThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDON today to get 10% off your first month. GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase.FanDuelGet buckets with your first bet on FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook. Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR BET! That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – if your bet wins! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started. 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 are in on LeJarius Sneed. I'm going to tell you what some trade packages could look like 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. Download the GameTime app, create an account, use the code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. The Titans are in on Legereus Sneed. We need to talk about some trade packages and why I don't think the Titans

should trade for Legereus Sneed. But it's also time to continue our 2024 Locked on Titans free agency preview. We're going to talk about interior offensive linemen, specifically the center position. That's a big one for the Titans to attack in free agency as well. Before we get into all of that,

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. Make sure you get subscribed, stay subscribed. It's your team every day. Here on the number one Tennessee Titans podcast in the world.

Shout out to my everydayers. Tune in Monday through Friday. Tomorrow, we're going over offensive tackles in free agency. That is a big episode. Getting you guys ready for next week when free agency opens. So excited for that. Make sure that you stay with me here on the Locked on Titans podcast. Throw a thumbs up on the video.

Show's always free. All ask for in return is the press of a button. Let's dive into these LeJarius Sneed rumors, news, topics. But it looks like the Titans are in on LeJarius Sneed. There was a report that the Titans are one of the teams who are interested. There's also a ton of people counting the Tennessee Titans as a landing spot for LeJarius Sneed. It does make sense.

Let's just say it on its face. He's 27 years old. He's played a ton inside. He played a ton outside. He shadowed receivers. He went with guys. He traveled across the field. It doesn't matter where you put LeJarius Sneed on the field. He is going to cover his man. Also, the Kansas City Chiefs played a lot of man coverage. So he's a guy who could get up on the

line of scrimmage, put his hands on you, and stick with you. And not only can he do it, he's done it to get some of the best wide receivers in the NFL. So he absolutely is a great player. Absolutely would fill a major need. We talk about offensive line and wide receivers so much. But cornerback could be just as big of a need as those other two positions if we're being honest about the roster. You need lockdown cornerbacks. Okay?

So, LeJarius Deed, great player. But, as I've said with Justin Jefferson, as I've said with Tee Higgins, as I've said in the past with LeJarius Sneed, I just don't think the Tennessee Titans are in a position to make a trade because we're already hearing reports that the Kansas City Chiefs want a second round pick. And look, the Titans have number 38 in the second round.

That is a great pick. And I continue to try to hammer home to you guys the philosophy that is going to win in the NFL. And the Titans have told you that themselves. You have to draft and develop to win in the NFL. Everybody's like, oh, look at Kansas City. They traded Tyree Kill. How do they do well?

Well, because they've been killing City. They traded Tyree Kill. How do they do well? Well, because they've been killing their draft picks the last few years. Winning in the NFL at a sustainable rate is all about drafting guys and developing players. And having those top draft picks, second round, first round picks, having top 100 draft spots are how you get starting level players for cheap. draft spots are how you get starting level players for cheap. We're talking about all these free agents, $15 million, $20 million, $21 million, LeJarrius Sneed probably looking at $20 million a year. Well, if you draft

a good cornerback, a starting level cornerback in the first or second round, now instead of paying $20 million for that type of guy, you're getting him for $5 million, $6 million, $7 million, $8 million at max if he's up at the top of the draft. So hitting on these, and let's just call it what it is, you can find guys later in the draft, but the majority of starters in the NFL are coming from the top 100 picks, especially the guys that are going to be ready to be starters right away.

So giving Kansas City a second round pick and giving LeJarrius Sneed $20 million a year, that's tough. But what are some trade offers that I would accept? Number one, a second round pick will get it done. I believe that. If the Titans traded 38 straight up for LeJarrius Sneed, I think that gets it done. But you want to talk about some trade offers that I would be comfortable with. Again,. But you want to talk about some trade offers that I would be comfortable with. Again, I don't want to see the Titans trade their second round pick. This goes back to the conversation I had at the end of yesterday's show. I don't think they should do it,

but that doesn't mean that they won't. So if they did make a trade that I would be okay with, it would be a fourth round pick, 107, and then a seventh round pick. I could even maybe take a fourth round pick and a sixth round pick. The Titans are going to have three seventh round picks. So I'm saying you give up like 219, 225, 240 somewhere in there with the compensatory picks. Things will change a little bit here and there, but about that range. If the Titans were to give up a fourth round pick this year and one of those sevenths or even their sixth round pick I could live with, that would make sense. Now I saw someone else mention, and this is something that

may be in consideration, the Titans could offer a fourth round pick in Traylon Burks. To me, Traylon Burks has sixth, seventh round value at this point in his career. And he's a former first round pick with two years left of rookie contract and a fifth year option, which is good for a team in Kansas City who's trying to find talent at wide receiver, but still keep the price tag low. Maybe that would be an option.

I don't think so. I think Kansas City only wants draft picks. They've shown that they're so good at drafting. Why would they want to take somebody's draft bus when they could draft somebody themselves who's probably going to be a better player right away? So I don't think that Kansas City would accept a fourth and a sixth or a fourth and a seventh

or a fourth and Traylon Burks. I don't think Kansas City would take that. But that's what I would be comfortable with giving. I think to get the job done and actually get LeJarrius Sneed, it would take a second round pick, number 38. And again, with where the Titans are at as a team, they need to build

through the draft. They need young players on cheap contracts to develop into their own stars. Not to just pay a million dollars and trade draft picks for somebody else's. So if the Titans end up with a luxurious need, I'm not going to be upset about it. But if they give up that number 38 pick for it, I think that's a dangerous game to play.

Now, I do got to give a shout out to my guy, Will Lomas. He said, hey, if the Titans sign Calvin Ridley in free agency, which I think they should do, if they're able to draft Joe Alt at the number seven pick, which I want them to do, then you could trade the 38th pick for LeJarius Sneed. And now you have Calvin Ridley at wide receiver, Joe Alt at offensive tackle, and LeJarius Sneed at cornerback.

You have just solved your three biggest issues with three great players. That is all well and good. That sounds like a great plan. And of course, I'd be okay with that. But you don't know if Joe Ault is going to be there at pick number seven. And that throws a wrench into the whole entire thing. Because if he's not there, and you just paid Calvin Ridley a bunch of money,

and you draft Malik Nabors or Romo Dunze, and you don't have a 38th pick, well, who's going to be your offensive tackle? And again, I think the Titans should sign an offensive tackle in free agency to play right tackle, but they need a tackle in the draft to develop into their own star. We're going to talk about those offensive tackles in free agency on tomorrow's show, a full breakdown of the position.

But now it's time to talk about the interior, guys. We're going to continue the 2024 Locked on Titans free agency preview with the interior offensive line right now before we do. Do want to let you guys know that today's episode is brought to you by eBay Motors. Passion, drive, and patience. What brings home the winning trophy is also what keeps your ride or die alive. eBay Motors has everything you need to maintain your vehicle

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Now it's time to continue our Locked on Titans free agency preview. We've looked at quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends. Now it's time to get into the offensive line and we are going to start with the interior offensive line and then as I've said

tomorrow, we are going to get into the offensive tacklers. But the Tennessee Titans desperately need a center. Alright Titans desperately need a center. All right? They need a center. I am done. I'm done with Aaron Brewer. All right?

That's all there is to it. He's too small. He can't anchor. He may be a good run blocker, but he's just not good enough. And the Titans have money this year. They need to go out and get a veteran center. Okay? Absolutely needs to happen.

And the number one name on the list, if all things were equal, the number one name on the list for me is Connor Williams. So Connor Williams was the center for the Miami Dolphins. Now, he tore his ACL in the game against the Tennessee Titans. So that is something to be concerned about. But, but think about this. Dylan Radins tore his ACL

in week 15 of 2022 and came back in the first six weeks of 2024. So if the Titans medically feel like Connor Williams is going to be fine, I think he makes a ton of sense. And because he's coming off of an ACL tear, you're probably going to get him at a discount

from what he actually would cost you. All right? So he's 6'5", 315 pounds, way bigger than Aaron Brewer. While he's not the strongest, you know, best anchoring interior offensive lineman, he is great in the zone scheme, just like they ran in Miami.

So it would be a perfect fit with the Titans system. His age, he's only 26, about to turn 27, so he still fits the timeline for the Titans. His ability to get to the second level, to play in space, first step quickness. He came from being a guard for the Dallas Cowboys too and then shifted to center where he really, really took off. So he's got size. He's got the skill. He fits in the scheme. He's at the right age.

If the Titans are comfortable with the medical, if they're comfortable with the medical, then I think that makes a ton of sense. The second guy, the second guy that I would be interested in here is Andre James from the Las Vegas Raiders. And there are people within the Titans organization who are familiar with the Raiders and will probably have great intel on Andre James. Think Bo Hardegree, the Titans quarterback coach,

just spent a season in Las Vegas with the Raiders. Also, Tom Jones, the assistant to the head coach, not assistant head coach, the assistant to the head coach, shout out the office, but Tom Jones has been with the Raiders for 25 years and just came over to be with Brian Callahan. So I think that they're going to have great intel and Andre James is a guy who, again, good age, 26, going to be 27 soon. He was the ninth ranked center in the NFL

in overall grade per pro football focus last year. He is excellent, excellent in pass protection. Has the ability to anchor. We worried about Aaron Brewer's ability to anchor so much while he was on the Tennessee Titans. That would not be a concern with Andre James. Alright, that's not something that you have to worry about.

He's 6'4", only 300 pounds, so he is significantly smaller than Conor Williams from a weight perspective. But, but, I think that he fits perfectly in the system. Again, he's a good pass protector as well, and that's absolutely huge for what they're going to be looking for going forward with Brian Callahan.

So I think he knows the system. There are people in the Titans organization who like him. He proved that he's a top-tier starting center in the NFL last year. I just think he would be a perfect fit. And I think if the Titans are concerned about Connor Williams and his injury coming off the ACL, pivoting to Andre James is more than welcome, in my opinion. He would be a great fit.

The last guy that I would be hype about, out of the three centers that I think that I would actually be hype if the Titans signed him, the last guy is Lloyd Cushenberry. Coming from the Denver Broncos, Cushenberry. All right. Coming from the Denver Broncos, Cushenberry had a slow start to his career. No doubt about it. All right.

Slow start. But he also had three different offensive coaches, three different offensive systems that he had to go through before he was able to just settle. Changing different system, changing different coaches, all that different stuff. He was young. The Broncos were having their struggles.

But last year, Cushenberry was the 10th ranked center in the NFL. He absolutely exploded. And he has the size, the speed, the athleticism. He's so good in pass protection. I mean, he could stand to get better in run blocking. He may not be a fit for the Titans zone scheme because he's been in gap stuff. And he looks like a guy who'd probably get better in run blocking. He may not be a fit for the Titan zone scheme because he's been in gap stuff, and he looks like a guy who'd probably be better in gap schemes.

He does have some penalty issues. So there are downfalls with Lloyd Cushenberry, but the pass protection, the length, the ability to anchor so good at anchoring against a bull rush, guys with length, taking on the top top tier guys with power on the interior. So good there. He's got great hands. Strong hands.

And again, he's the youngest of the three centers that we're discussing right now. He's on the front end of 26 years old. So, look. Because Cushenberry is a little younger. Because he's got a lot more potential than the other two. Because of what he's been through in his early years. He's probably going to get paid the most. Look at three years, $30 million. Maybe three

years, $31 million. Andre James probably three years, $25 to $27. Because Conor Williams is coming off the ACL, he would have got more than all of them. But the ACL, he's probably looking at like three years, $22 to $25 million, somewhere in there. Out of those three guys, I would be hype if the Titans got any of them.

I really would. Like, those are great options to come in right away, fit in the system, and be a starting level center when the Titans need it most. If the Titans don't go with one of the hype tier guys, there is one other option that I would be happy about, and that's Tyler Biotis. So Tyler Biotis coming over from the Dallas Cowboys. He's

the same age as Lloyd Cushenberry, so he's on the younger end of these options at early into 26 years old. Incredibly smart player. Like, so good with his technique. He may not be as physically gifted and as physically big as some of these other guys that we're talking about, but he makes up for it with excellent technique with his hands and his feet. He's really smart, calling the protections, understanding where to go, his ability to be involved in combo blocks, which is huge in a zone scheme, and they've been running a zone system there in Dallas. Him and the guard, double team, climb to the second level, have the athleticism. Does he have the high-end talent and ability that

maybe the other three guys have? Probably not. But as a mid-tier option, I would be very, very happy. He was still the 14th highest rated, graded center in the NFL Perth Pro Football Focus last year. So he's still a top half of the league center and excellent with twists and stunts. Again, great awareness, great intelligence, really smart player. And the Titans really struggled with twists and stunts last year because Aaron Brewer is so small. He couldn't catch guys with momentum and the guard struggled as well. And everybody struggled because of that. You stick Tyler Biotis in the middle of that, you're going to get Tyler Biotis cheaper than the other three options that I just named. He's probably looking at like three years, 18 to 20 million.

So he's going to be a cheaper option for you, but I think he could do a great job. So those are the four players at center that I think fit for the Titans and would make sense. The reality here is for my hate tier, if it's anybody else, I'm not going to like it. Because anybody else isn't good enough

to fix the problem. They're not better than Aaron Brewer. And if it's Aaron Brewer, then it's the same old, same old. So, anybody else at center, and I'm just not going to be a fan. And that's just the reality of it. But with that, we got to move to Gord because the Titans

could use a Gord as well. Before we get into that though, do want to let you guys know that today's episode is brought to you by Robinhood. Alright, did you know that even if you have a 401k for your retirement, you can still have an IRA. Robinhood has the only IRA that gives you a 3% boost

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terms and conditions. Robinhood IRA available to U.S. customers in good standing. Robinhood Financial LLC member SIPC is a registered broker dealer. Titans fans, let's cap off today's edition of the Locked on Titans podcast. We talked about LeJarrius Sneed trade options and offers that could be there for the Titans. We also talked about the top free agent center options that I would be hype about, that I would be

happy about, that I would hate. Now I want to do that with the guards, okay? And before I start, I got to give my philosophical take on the guard position and where the Titans are at right now. Before I do that, though, thank you for making the Locked On Titans podcast your first listen each and every day. Also want to let you know that Locked On has launched the first ever

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Now available on the free Fire TV channels app. But I don't want the Titans to go out and pay a high-priced guard. I don't. I don't want them to get any of these names that we're going to talk about. I just don't think they need to. With Daniel Brunskill still on the roster and not cut. With Dylan Radin still on the roster. With Nicholas Batyfer-Rayer still on the roster and not cut, with Dylan Radin still on the roster,

with Nicholas Batifarere still on the roster. I'm sorry, one of those three guys can start at right guard. If one of those three guys is your fifth best offensive lineman, you're cooking. Again, you guys have to take into account, not everybody, but some of you guys think that every single player needs to be all-star level. And that's just not how it's going to work. I keep comparing it to the grocery store. You don't have steak for all five meals.

You know, okay, we're going to have steak one night. One night, we're going to have salads. One night, we're going to have chili dogs. Then another night, we'll have pork chops. Then another night, we'll have some chops. Then another night we'll have some salmon. You know, like you gotta have balance. You can't get the most expensive of everything everywhere. That's just not

how it's going to work. So if you have a cheap, Daniel Brunskill, three and a half million. Dylan Radins, two million. Nicholas Petit Ferrer, one and a half million. If you have a cheap right guard who can get the job done, you go out, you pay an expensive right tackle,

you pay a decently expensive center, you draft a left tackle, you have Peter Skowronski at left guard. That is how you build your offensive line. That is how the Titans will have money to have enough to fill the other areas as well. The Titans cannot give out three big contracts on the offensive line, and I think center is more important than guard. So for me, whereas I really only had hype and happy with centers,

I really only have happy and hate with guards. Because I don't want to sign a guard. I don't want to sign any of these guys. Go with the three players that you already have. I honestly think that the Titans should cut Daniel Brunskill, save $3 million on the cap, and go with Dylan Radins, who I thought earned an opportunity to be a starter last year at the end of the year.

Simply not at right tackle. Move him into right guard. All right. So, for my happy tier, these are the names I would be happy with. I would be okay. They're a good player. They fit.

Blah, blah, blah. Number one, Jonah Jackson. Jonah Jackson came from the Detroit Lions. 27 years old. He fits the scheme. He's a violent run blocker. I think he would be a good fit and he probably won't be too expensive like the top names at the market.

John Runyon Jr. I've always liked Runyon. Coming out of college. I know that he has some balance issues. This and that, but he's been in a zone scheme in Green Bay. He's only 26 years old. He has the ability to anchor and pass protection because of his size. I would like John Runyon.

I would take a shot on that. Dalton Reisner, 28 years old, can play in the zone scheme, has good athleticism. Again, if they want to cut Daniel Brunskill and maybe bring in one of these guys, okay, okay. I don't think it's necessary, but if they do it, I'll be happy.

All right, I'll be happy. I won't be pissed off like I would be with my hate options. Number one, Robert Hunt. Robert Hunt's a good player, one of the better guards. But again, I don't want to pay a guard $15 million plus a year. Like, you just spent a first round pick on a guard. You don't follow that up with a big guard contract. That's too many resources at the guard position.

You don't do that. It doesn't make any sense. Similarly, Kevin Dotson. Kevin Dotson, good player. But he's going to be expensive. And he's a guy who's played in a gap scheme. He's not a zone run guard. So that doesn't fit what the Titans are going to do schematically on offense. And then finally, Kevin Zeitler. Zeitler is 33 years old.

He's a good player, but he does not fit the Titans timeline in any way, alright? So, I'm not paying near top tier money for a 33-year-old. I'm not paying near top tier money for a guard, period. All right? We'll draft them. It's that simple. Unless I get all pro-level play from Peter Skowronski,

I'm not doing it. So it's really that simple. So those are the names that I like. Those are the names I'd be happy with. Those are the names that I would hate at guard. I did my hype and my happy at center. Tomorrow, offensive tackles. Cannot wait to get into offensive tackles.

Make sure that you guys do not miss that. But with that being said, that is going to do it for today's edition of the Locked on Titans podcast. As always, I am your host, Tyler Rowland, and this was Locked on Titans podcast. As always, I am your host, Tyler Rowland, and this was Locked on Titans.