Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Speculation Continues As To Destination For Henry, Byard
NASHVILLE — Now that we've realized that the Tennessee Titans will have to make some moves with some of their top talents and fan favorites, all that's left is the waiting, which, as Tom Petty sang, is the hardest part.
On Friday, Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus released his best fits for the league's top trade candidates. Among them were Derrick Henry and Kevin Byard.
Before we get to Henry and Byard, Monson's top candidate for trade is DeAndre Hopkins, who fans have been fighting for the Titans to acquire. Monson sees him fitting in with Carolina as a security blanket for the Panthers new quarterback they will likely acquire with the No.1 overall selection in the NFL Draft come April.
As for Henry, the Chicago Bears, according to Monson, seem the best fit for arguably the best running back in the league. After all, when it gets cold and snow falls, teams like to run the football, and what better back to bring in for that purpose than Henry?
Conversely, Byard would also find a new northern home, according to Monson, as the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles are the place best suited for the Titans' top safety.
While this is mostly conjecture at this time, it is clear that something, somewhere and somehow, must happen for the Titans and their current salary cap constraints.
The Titans reportedly have just $7,152,103 remaining in available spending money for free agency.
Of course, Ryan Tannehill and his contract, the biggest of all current Titans deals, was not on Monson's list because finding a trade partner willing to take that off the Titans' hands seems a taller task than finding trades for Henry, Byard, or one of the other most expensive contracts the Titans currently hold.
Moving Tannehill would be the easiest of solutions from the standpoint of cap space, but then who will the team have as their quarterback in 2023?
We know Malik Willis was less than spectacular in his limited work last season, and there isn't an awe-inspiring candidate available in free agency.
Henry, theoretically, would be the easier of the two to replace since running backs in the NFL have become an afterthought for most teams, who are willing to plug and play guys at the position and live with what production they get. However, there is no gauge for what he has meant to this franchise.
On the other hand, Byard could be replaced with a body and perhaps might even be an upgrade in time, but like Henry, Byard has been so much more than just a guy playing safety for this team.
Whatever is going to happen, it's time for the Titans to rip off the bandaid because the waiting truly is the hardest part.
Titans Related News
- TITANS AT OHIO STATE PRO DAY: The Titans got up close and personal with some of their potential targets, like JaxonSmith-Njigba, at Ohio State's Pro Day on Wednesday: CLICK HERE
- DAVID LONG FIRES BACK: The former Titans linebacker didn't like the narrative painted of him by Mike Vrabel: CLICK HERE
- TITANS' OPTIONS AT NO. 11: This year's draft aligns nicely with the Titans first-round options. CLICK HERE
- BRACING FOR IMPACT: There could be some moves coming that Titans fans won't be happy about. CLICK HERE
