NASHVILLE, Tenn -- The Titans further strengthened their defense Sunday, signing Quandre Diggs who's very likely to start at safety next to Amani Hooker.
Diggs announced the news on Twitter. Ian Rapoport later detailed the contract: $3 million base, $1 million in reachable play-time incentives and another $1 million in performance-based incentives.
Long awaited news..
— Nino (@qdiggs6) August 4, 2024
5X All Pro Dad & 3x Pro Bowler @qdiggs6 has agreed to terms with the Tennessee Titans on a 1 year deal!#TitanUp
In 10 seasons in Detroit and Seattle, Diggs has 24 interceptions, 15 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles. He was a sixth-round pick by the Lions in 2015 out of Texas.
Diggs went to Pro Bowls in 2020, 2021 and 2022 with the Seahawks. Jamal Adams, who signed with the Titans before camp, said in his initial conversation with Nashville media that he was trying not to put too hard of a sell on his old teammate to join him with the Titans. [Unlocked]
Presumable sixth new defensive starter for #Titans:
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 4, 2024
DE Sebastian Joseph Day
DT T'Vondre Sweat
ILB Kenneth Murray
CB L'Jarius Sneed
CB Chidobe Awuzie
and now Diggs
Quite a revamp. https://t.co/3CCOk6EMqL
The Titans' bigger need is at edge, where they are thin even with Arden Key, who's got a six-game league suspension for a violation of the NFL's PED policy pending.
But the team was talking to Diggs before camp started and before it signed Adams.
It may not judge safety to be a bigger need, but it found an opportunity to improve at a spot where depth isn't great and where being stronger can conceivably help alleviate pass-rush issues.
With Hooker and Diggs as the primary safeties and Adams slated to pop into situations as a big nickel, a dime linebacker and an occasional blitzing safety provided he's healthy, Elijah Molden is also now available for situational duty in packages and for matchups.
"Diggs and Molden are similar actually," former Titans scout Blake Beddingfield said. "He's a former corner turned safety. Same size. Has better quickness than Molden but similar speed now that he is over 30. Diggs is more aggressive as a tackler but not far off. Just more experienced."
If the Titans remain high on Matthew Jackson, they could consider themselves five safeties deep.
They are potentially very deep at corner too.
They traded for L'Jarius Sneed and signed Chidobe Awuzie in free agency. Roger McCreary is the nickel, fifth-rounder Jarvis Brownlee has looked really good as an inside-outside option and Gabe Jeudy-Lally has made a good impression as an undrafted rookie.
Tre Avery and Eric Garror remain viable and Anthony Kendall was last year's leading special teams tackler.
Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson was a defensive back and started off as a cornerbacks coach.
It looks like the Titans may be a back-to-front defense, certainly in terms of depth.
