After 8 Free-Agent Signings and a Headline Trade, Titans GM Carthon Takes Inventory Ahead of NFL Draft

Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon told tennesseetitans.com: "We know the draft is coming up, and that's going to take precedence now. But we still have cap room, and we feel like we're well-positioned (to make moves later)."

NASHVILLE — Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon promised team ownership an aggressive offseason as he attempts to rebuild a winning program, and there likely are more new players to come.

"We still have a lot of work to do and we still have our eight draft picks," Carthon told tennesseetitans.com on Sunday at the NFL owners meetings. "We know the draft is coming up, and that's going to take precedence now. But we still have cap room, and we feel like we're well-positioned (to make moves later)."

Carthon has signed eight free agents: wide receiver Calvin Ridley, running back Tony Pollard, center Lloyd Cushenberry, cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr., offensive lineman Saahdiq Charles, quarterback Mason Rudolph, and defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day.

The Titans also have traded for former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L'Jarius Sneed. According to overthecap.com, the Titans still have $33,759,744 in effective cap space, but that number doesn't include Sneed's deal.

Carthon addressed several topics related to the team's rebuilding efforts. Here are some highlights from his conversation with tennesseetitans.com:

On Calvin Ridley

"He's a guy that you can move around to a bunch of different spots. He's one of the better separators in the league, one of the better guys working releases and finishing at the top of routes. He gives another explosive element to the offense and another weapon for our quarterbacks to throw to." 

On Tony Pollard

"Tony, just being in tandem with Tyjae (Spears). Having two explosive guys that can take it the distance anywhere on the field. His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and provide us with explosive plays (is exciting)."

On Chidobe Awuzie

"He's physical. He's a grown man, hyper-competitive, great leadership, has played a ton of ball, played in a lot of high-impact games. He's the guy that comes in and helps rebuild your culture."

On Moving On From Derrick Henry

"Derrick is someone that you respect immensely for what he has done for this organization. We had a conversation at the end of the season, and it left in a really good place, I believe. And I wish him nothing but the best, other than when (he) plays us."

On signing more internal free agents

"It's been cool that a couple of (our) guys have reached out, also, and said: 'Hey, I want to be back.' So, we'll see how that goes. It's a new regime, things are different than they were last year, so we're just trying to see about the right fit. We know who the people are, and our coaching staff has done a great job evaluating our roster. Again, we're not done, but we have to take a patient approach with some of these."