Tennessee Titans: Free Agency Focus on Defense Means Offensive Draft

The Tennessee Titans have targeted defense heavily in free agency, which means their draft focus could be on offense

A day after signing hard-hitting safety Johnathan Cyprien, the Tennessee Titans went strong into the free agent market again Friday, adding cornerback Logan Ryan. They also are reportedly trying to make a deal with linebacker Dont’a Hightower. At first glance, it might appear the moves were made solely to help improve a pass defense that ranked 30th in the NFL in 2016. That, however, is too simplistic a view.

The idea of any Dick LeBeau-coached defense is to shut down the opponent’s running game first and force it to pass. The Titans did a good job of that last season, ranking second in the league against the run. But LeBeau also insists that his defensive backs be good tacklers. He doesn’t mind allowing a five-yard out. He does not, however, want that five-yard out to turn into a 25-yard catch-and-run.

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And that’s what Cyprien and Ryan will help accomplish. Cyprien recorded at least 104 tackles in each of his four seasons. Including a career-high 128 last season. Ryan, meanwhile, led the Patriots in tackles last season with 92 to go along with his 11 pass defenses and two interceptions.

You might not think that a corner leading his team in tackles is a good thing. It would suggest that he was picked on pretty consistently and, usually, you’d be right. But Ryan’s tackle total was because he is so active in the run game and rallying to the ball. He’ll be a big asset in a LeBeau-coached defense.

Hightower also would give LeBeau another chess piece and a run-stopping linebacker who also can provide some pass rush. That should do a good job of taking care of the defense.

And the Titans, with picks Nos. 5 and 18 in the 2017 NFL Draft, should be able to add some key pieces to pair with quarterback Marcus Mariota moving forward, with tight end O.J. Howard and receivers Mike Williams or Corey Davis possibly being targets.

Next: 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Three-Round Projections

The rest of the division is presumably improving, as well, or at least they have been active early in the free agency process. But the Titans might be positioning themselves to be the favorite in the AFC South coming out of the draft.