Jason Hatcher visiting Tennessee Titans
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Jason Hatcher (97) in action against the Green Bay Packers. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Jason Hatcher is one of the top free agents left on the open market, and he is an excellent interior pass rusher who had a breakout year in 2013. The 31-year-old recorded 41 tackles and 11 sacks last season, and he was the Cowboys most productive pass rusher with Anthony Spencer out for the year, DeMarcus Ware hobbled by nagging injuries, and diamond-in-the-rough George Selvie still learning the ropes. Hatcher and Henry Melton are the unquestioned top two interior pass rushers on the open market, but Hatcher is the 4-3 DT who will make more money, as Melton tore his ACL early last season.
The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Hatcher will visit the Tennessee Titans after visiting the Oakland Raiders, and both teams could use an interior pass rusher of Hatcher’s caliber. Even though the Titans have an elite pass rushing DT in Jurrell Casey, who is one of the most underrated players in the game today, they could use another top interior pass rusher. Eyeing a move to a hybrid 3-4 scheme under Ray Horton, Hatcher could be a great fit as a 3-4 DE opposite of Casey, and he’s an even better pass rusher than Sen’Derrick Marks, who is the DT the Titans lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars last offseason.
It’s going to be interesting to see how his visit with the Titans go, especially since this is Hatcher’s biggest chance at getting a large payday. The Raiders have more money to give to him, and he is a better fit in the 4-3 than the 3-4. I would expect the Raiders to land him, but the Titans could also benefit significantly from his ability to get after the quarterback.