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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Mike Moraitis

Projected market values for Titans’ most notable pending free agents

Believe it or not, we are a little over one week away from the start of free agency, which unofficially begins with the start of the legal tampering period on Monday, March 11, and officially begins on Wednesday, March 13.

Unlike last year, this is an exciting time for the Tennessee Titans, as the team is flush with cap space after having to dig into the couch for loose change last offseason.

In fact, the Titans’ $75.6 million in cap space ranks fourth in the NFL, according to Over the Cap, and that’s before Tennessee makes any cuts.

The Titans figure to bring in at least some help in free agency, but they will also bring back some of their own free agents, a list that includes 26 players.

We’ve already shared our thoughts on what the Titans should do with each of those players. You can check out defensive players here, offensive players here and specialists here, in case you missed those articles.

With free agency almost here, we thought we’d take a look at the projected market values for each of the Titans’ most notable pending free agents, all of whom will officially hit the open market on March 13.

The projected market values for each player are courtesy of Pro Football Focus and Spotrac, when available.

RB Derrick Henry

Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

Spotrac: One year, $10.3 million

PFF: Two years, $20 million

As much as I love Derrick Henry, I’m not paying him $10 million per at this stage of his career. The Titans should go younger and cheaper at the position in 2024, especially when you consider who they bring in will be the No. 2 behind Tyjae Spears.

QB Ryan Tannehill

Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Spotrac: One year, $4.9 million

PFF: Two years, $11 million

Ryan Tannehill is not coming back to Tennessee, no matter what. That said, these are reasonable figures for Tannehill, who will be a solid backup wherever he goes.

DL Denico Autry

Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

Spotrac: N/A

PFF: One year, $7.25 million

Denico Autry at this price would be a steal for the Titans. Sign me up.

LB Azeez Al-Shaair

Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

Spotrac: N/A

PFF: Three years, $20.25 million

This would amount to a raise from the $5 million he got last year, and it would be well-deserved for Al-Shaair. Turning 27 in August, Al-Shaair should factor into Tennessee’s long-term plans.

C Aaron Brewer

Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Spotrac: Three years, $15.7 million

PFF: Three years, $20 million

These projections are reasonable, but I still don’t want Brewer as the starting center in 2024. He simply isn’t good enough in pass protection and that has to be paramount with anyone who starts upfront next season.

CB Sean Murphy-Bunting

Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports

Spotrac: Two years, $13.5 million

PFF: One year, $4 million

Another very reasonable projection. I’m good with Sean Murphy-Bunting being a bridge No. 2 cornerback with long-term potential, but wouldn’t go more than two years in a deal.

WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Spotrac: One year, $2.5 million

PFF: One year, $2.75 million

These projections would amount to about double what NWI made in 2023. I’m fine with bringing him back as a No. 5 or No. 6 option, but I’d draw the line at $2 million.

CB Kristian Fulton

Syndication: The Tennessean

Spotrac: Three years, $6.7 million

PFF: One year, $3 million

As far as the players on this list go, only Tannehill is less likely to be back than Kristian Fulton, but there isn’t a wide gap there. I think teams around the league would be willing (and should be) to take a one-year flyer on Fulton at these prices, but the Titans won’t be one of them.

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