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Tennessee Titans free agency 2017: top 5 targets

By Parker Hurley

Nov 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) passes during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) passes during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson (22) celebrates a play against the New England Patriots at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson (22) celebrates a play against the New England Patriots at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Tony Jefferson

The Titans safety position is also rather questionable. Rashad Johnson and Daimion Stafford are free agents, and neither may be returning to Tennessee. However, that just leaves Da’Norris Searcy and a former rookie Kevin Bayard on the roster. All four essentially rotated slots in the back end, and with no real standout performer of the group, this team could use an impact player such as Tony Jefferson.

Jefferson’s 2016 was excellent. He recorded 92 tackles with two sacks and two forced fumbles. What is best about Jefferson is that he is versatile, and just as reliable in the box defending the run as he is in coverage and playing deep. He could line up next to Searcy, or Bayard, and would be the bigger impact player of any of the three.

This offseason, all of the free agency talk around safety starts with Eric Berry. However, it seems tough to imagine Berry slipping through the Chiefs’ grasps, and even if he does, he will see a hefty payday. Jefferson, as a versatile, and talented second option is more of a realistic add, and would be an underrated game changer in the back end that this secondary badly needs. It would be a great fit, and he should be one of the first names the Titans call when free agency opens up.

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