The Tennessee Titans have many needs but not enough money to pay for them.
According to Spotrac, Tennessee is nearly $24 million over the cap. New GM Ran Carthon didn’t bring in any players on the current roster, leaving no one immune to becoming a cap casualty.
Here are three potential cut candidates:
Robert Woods, wide receiver
Tennessee’s biggest need is wide receiver, but Woods’ ability is far below his cost. Woods, 30, was acquired from the Rams in hopes of bouncing back from an ACL injury.
Despite playing in all 17 games this season, Woods only totaled 525 yards receiving and two touchdowns. The Titans QB situation was less than ideal in 2022, but Woods has undoubtedly lost a step. Tennessee would save $12 million by releasing him.
It’s unlikely that any of the free-agent wide receivers in the 2023 class will be All-Pro, and perhaps none will even be of the caliber of Pro Bowl players. This may lead the Titans to use the 11th overall pick in the draft on the position. Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba and TCU’s Quentin Johnston could be options.
Taylor Lewan, offensive tackle
With Lewan indicating that his time with Tennessee is over, it’s safe to assume that if he plays football again, he’ll be doing so elsewhere. He doesn’t have a guaranteed salary for next season, and if cut by June 1, Tennessee would save $14.8 million.
Lewan suffered a torn ACL on the first play in Week 2 against Buffalo. Over the past three seasons, the former Michigan Wolverine has played in 20 games. The combination of his age (31) and injury history should be enough to cause Tennessee to release him, but his resume should make finding another job easy.
Although Tennessee might be unable to add a premier tackle in free agency, the offensive line draft class has some intriguing choices. Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr. and Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski headline the class.
Bud Dupree, outside linebacker
After his 2020 season with Pittsburgh ended due to an ACL tear, Tennessee gave Dupree a five-year, $82.5 million contract the following offseason. Since signing with the Titans, Dupree has been limited to 22 games, starting 17. He had four sacks in 2022 before suffering a season-ending pectoral injury.
Tennesee will save $15.8 million if Dupree gets released after June 1. Perhaps another team would be willing to trade for him, but that seems like a long shot.
Carthan could go the veteran route to find a replacement for Dupree. Melvin Ingram, who was last with the Dolphins, and Lorenzo Carter (Atlanta) are suitable candidates.
