Bailey Biddle
The National Football League free agent frenzy is crazier than ever, and one team made two acquisitions that bolstered their starting lineup.
The Tennessee Titans are always silent in free agency and kept that same mentality this offseason. Despite the Antonio Brown trade rumors, the Titans weren’t willing to give away valuable draft picks and decided to find depth at the wide receiver elsewhere. The Titans signed wide receiver Adam Humphries, from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, to a four-year-deal worth 36 million dollars.
Humphries had a career year last year with Tampa Bay by having a total of 76 catches for 816 yards. He had a total of five touchdowns and is a reliable target for third-down conversions. To add to his resume, he had more catches than Larry Fitzgerald, Alshon Jeffery, Julian Edelman and Emmanuel Sanders.
By the way, he had more receiving yards than Desean Jackson, Amari Cooper, Jordy Nelson and Larry Fitzgerald. With the Titans’ receiving core top five in dropped passes, this was a great signing by GM Jon Robinson. Corey Davis was the only receiver on the team to have at least 60 catches and 500 receiving yards.
Another big move that Tennessee made today was resigning safety Kenny Vaccaro. Vaccaro inked a deal that was four years for 26 million dollars. When Jonathan Cyprien went down last year, the Titans quickly signed Vaccaro to a one-year contract. Last season, he recorded 58 tackles and an interception in the 13 games that he played.
Vaccaro was a perfect fit for Dean Pees defense and was a versatile player in the scheme.
The duo of Kevin Byard and Kenny Vaccaro was unstoppable, and Robinson knew he had to make it a priority to sign him in the offseason. He is a huge locker room guy and the players wanted him back.
Vaccaro had inconsistent stretches with the Saints, but it may be a different scenario in Tennessee. With all the safeties in free agency and the big contracts that are being dealt, 26 million dollars isn’t looking to bad. The Titans are not done yet and need to address many other needs in the offseason.
One name that comes to mind, Justin Houston. Houston was released by the Chiefs and is a veteran pass-rusher, just what the Titans need. Look for the Titans to address depth to their offensive line by potentially going after Eagles guard/center Stefen Wisniewski and Rams guard Rodger Saffold.
Tennessee got better today and will look to continue to improve its roster. This team had a disappointing ending to their season last year, by not making the playoffs. There is a lot at stake this season for Tennessee and look to compete in the stacked AFC South.