Kamerion Wimbley takes paycut to stay with Tennessee Titans
Andrew Luck (12) is tackled by Tennessee Titans defensive end Kamerion Wimbley (95) and linebacker Akeem Ayers (56). Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
The Tennessee Titans top need heading into the 2014 NFL Draft is at pass rusher, as they need a top-notch 3-4 OLB to go after the pass rusher on the edge under new defensive coordinator Ray Horton. They are transitioning to a hybrid 3-4 scheme, and adding a guy like Anthony Barr would greatly help the Titans in their first year with Horton leading the defense.
Kamerion Wimbley wasn’t expected to come back for the 2014 season, but the Nashville Tennessean’s Jim Wyatt reports that Wimbley has re-done his deal and will be taking less money in order to stick around. I’m sure he realized that his chances of snagging a deal elsewhere were very slim, and ESPN’s Adam Caplan reports that the deal is worth $9 million over three years. It means that the 30-year-old Florida State product is getting his salary slashed in half, but he’s getting some long-term security and wouldn’t have snagged that kind of a deal on the open market.
While I guess this deal decreases their need for an edge rusher, the Titans should still strongly consider drafting an outside linebacker with the 11th overall pick. Wimbley should be better in the 3-4, but they can’t count on him to be effective and need edge rushing help anyway. Barr, C.J. Mosley, and a cornerback like Darqueze Dennard or Justin Gilbert are a few players I have as great fits for the Titans in the first.