Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
The Big Fix For Titans Offensive Line
NASHVILLE - If the Tennessee Titans are to have any chance of winning some games and possibly an AFC South title- the Jags are the defending champs but aren't a slam dunk to me- then fixing their putrid offensive line is the biggest challenge facing them.
One way to do that is by drafting a couple of young stud linemen, starting with the No.11 pick in the upcoming April draft. The name mist associated with the Titans and that pick, Paris Johnson Jr.
An outstanding athlete and a high-upside tackle prospect, Johnson would instantly slot into the left tackle role. That means that the Titans would need two or three more players- depending on what Ben Jones decides to do- to finish a total overall of their offensive front.
While Johnson Jr. is undoubtedly talented, he will still be a rookie and, as such, subject to the learning curve all players go through when entering the NFL. That means there could be struggles, and having a player struggle, especially in that position, can mean trouble.
However, to me, there is a better option than going the rookie route.
Orlando Brown Jr. is one of the best left tackles in football. He's coming off a Super Bowl title with the Chiefs and is about to become a free agent.
According to Sportrac, Brown is projected to get a deal somewhere in the neighborhood of $112.1 million for five years, or $22.4 million a season.
That's a steep price tag, but not for a proven, Pro-Bowl player who would immediately solve one of the team's most glaring weaknesses. He would be a plug-and-play guy.
As for those contract numbers, this is where things get interesting; the Titans could offer him a one-year deal worth $22.4 and an increased signing bonus for that single year. Brown would be given this offer with the understanding that the team would resign him to a long-term contract after the '23 season at the going rate when they are expected to be in outstanding shape against the cap for 2024.
Of course, there is no way to know if this would be acceptable to Brown and his camp, but you won't know until you make the offer.
As for the opposite side, Atlanta Falcons right tackle Kaleb McGary is also set to join the free-agent ranks. He would be a great addition to the Titans, allowing head coach Mike Vrabel to move Nicholas Petite-Frere inside to a guard position.
McGary is projected to cost the Titans $70.9 million over four seasons, or $17.7 million. That figure would be doable with the cap space the team currently has to work with.
Finally, Peter Skoronski, the Northwestern tackle with question marks because of the short length of his arms, would be a great fit as a guard and quite possibly could be available to the Titans with the No.11 selection in the draft.
It's doubtful that any of this plays out for the Titans, but in my position as armchair GM, this is how I would look to fix this area of need quickly.
