Free agency priorities

Quarterback

Jake Locker isn’t NFL ready, especially if this lockout significantly cuts into rookie practice time. They’ll probably resign Kerry Collins or a similar veteran to at least give Locker some competition. 

Wide Receiver

There’s a reason they signed Randy Moss. They were desperate for another receiver opposite Kenny Britt, who has since been arrested. Nate Washington belongs in the slot. They won’t resign Moss, but they’ll add some veteran receiver. 

Center

They struggled at center without Kevin Mawae last year and didn’t find Mawae’s replacement through the draft. They’ll look at free agent centers. 

Guard 

Their hole at left guard is as big as their hole at center.

 

Draft Needs 

Quarterback

Vince Young is as good as gone, so unless the Titans plan on going into 2011 with a 38 year old Kerry Collins and a terrible Rusty Smith, they’ll address this position in the offseason. Jeff Fisher’s in the last year of his contract so his job depends on how the Titans fare in 2011. He’ll almost certainly try to add a veteran (Donovan McNabb?) rather than risking his job on a rookie.

Drafted Jake Locker (#8) 

Defensive End

Jason Babin is a free agent and will be looking for an expensive longterm deal after a breakout year in 2010. It’s simply not in the Titans’ nature to give big, expensive longterm deals to 30+ year old players. Besides Babin’s 12.5 sacks, this team only had 27.5 sacks last year and no one other than Babin and nickel rusher Dave Ball had more than 3.5 sacks.

Drafted Karl Klug (#142) 

Defensive Tackle

The Titans have been looking for Albert Haynesworth’s replacement since Haynesworth left. They will be the front runners to land Haynesworth this offseason if the Redskins trade/release him. If they don’t get him, they could address this position through the draft.

Drafted Jurrell Casey (#77), Zach Clayton (#212) 

Wide Receiver

Randy Moss is probably on a missing person’s list somewhere, but the fact that they even took a risk bringing him in shows how much they need receiving help across from Kenny Britt. Nate Washington was their #2 receiver last year, but he’s better off in the slot.

Outside Linebacker

The Titans could actually upgrade all 3 linebacker positions in the offseason, but the biggest need is at outside linebacker. Gerald McRath shouldn’t be starting.

Drafted Akeem Ayers (#37), Drafted Colin McCarthy (#109)

Middle Linebacker

Stephen Tulloch could be gone as a free agent. 

Guard

A big part of the reason why Chris Johnson struggled on the ground this year was that his interior blocking wasn’t what it was in 2009.

Drafted Byron Stingily (#175) 

Center

Kevin Mawae retired after last season and this season showed that his replacement is not on the roster.

Cornerback

Alterraun Verner had a decent rookie year, but they need depth behind him and Cortland Finnegan.

Safety

Chris Hope is a fairly marginal player.

Drafted Tommie Campbell (#251)