Titans' Signing of Andre Dillard Doesn’t Change Massive Need on Offensive Line
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans finally waded into the free agency waters with the signing of offensive lineman Andre Dillard. Dillard is a former first round pick and will be expected to come in and compete at left tackle, but Dillard should not be seen as a long-term answer that alters the Titans’ plans.
Dillard’s contract tells us that is the case anyways. You don’t give a three-year, $30 million deal to a franchise left tackle. That is what you pay for a mid-tier starting guard or a high-level backup tackle. The reality is both of those options are on the table for Dillard still. The Titans will potentially need Dillard in both of those roles as the contract plays out.
Dillard spent most of his time at left tackle for the Eagles after being drafted in the first round in 2019. He has been a better pass blocker than run blocker throughout his career, but that note should give Titans’ fans some pause. In his 444 career pass blocking snaps, Dillard has allowed five sacks and 45 quarterback pressures. For comparison, Titans’ third-round rookie Nicholas Petit-Free had over 500 pass blocking snaps in 2022 and allowed five sacks and 35 pressures.
Dillard can come in and start at left tackle. At times in Philadelphia Dillard played left guard. For most of the time in Philadelphia, Dillard was their primary backup on the offensive line. This fact does give the Titans some flexibility. If the Titans draft a left tackle early in April, Dillard can slide to guard. If they can’t get one, Dillard can take the spot. If the Titans hit on a bunch of rookies, Dillard can be a utility man. The Titans didn’t overpay in a way that the last outcome would be a disappointment.
At the end of the day, Dillard is a decent signing for the price. The move gives the Titans flexibility going forward depending on what happens in the draft and the rest of free agency, but the reality is, Dillard isn’t a good enough player to change your future plans or prevent the Titans from looking for long-term options. If he surprises in 2023, fantastic, but until Dillard plays high-level football for an entire season, the Titans have to operate as if Dillard will be exactly what they paid for, average.
TITANS SIGN DILLARD: The Titans' biggest area of need entering free agency has their first new member with the announcement that former Eagles tackle Andre Dillard will sign with Tennessee. CLICK HERE
TITANS LOSE DAVIS: The Tennessee Titans will need to find a new starting right guard after free agent Nate Davis joins the Chicago Bears on a three-year deal. CLICK HERE
FREE AGENCY FORESHADOWING: The Tennessee Titans are set at the starting line of NFL Free Agency with a ton of needs on the roster. How they choose to address those needs will tell us a lot about how the front office sees the team’s potential in 2023. CLICK HERE
