NASHVILLE, Tenn. – By reaching a new deal with Kenny Vaccaro, the Titans have solidified their secondary and removed the back end of the defense from concern from the conversation in free agency and the draft.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media says Vaccaro’s new four-year, $26 million deal comes with $11.5 million guaranteed and that the Titans have now also officially cut Johnathan Cyprien. The Titans have since announced both moves.
I tweeted that the news surprised me. That's because, even after Landon Collins lined up a giant deal from Washington, there was a large number of safeties ready to hit the market and I expected supply and demand to play out over months.
This puts the Titans in fine shape with Kevin Byard and Vaccaro as starters at safety with second-year man Dane Cruikshank as the third option. The Titans have Adoree’ Jackson, Logan Ryan and Malcolm Butler as their top three corners, with LeShaun Sims and Tye Smith and depth. [unlocked]
Byard is in line for a big extension with his rookie deal expiring after the 2019 season. Ryan, who had an excellent year in the slot, is also up after this year.
With concerns all over the lineup, the secondary is likely to go untouched moving forward.
The Titans need at least one outside linebacker, at least one defensive lineman, at least one interior offensive lineman, at least one receiver and they should upgrade at backup quarterback from Blaine Gabbert.
They should bring in more than one player at a couple of those spots and can also add a tight end.
