Ep. 162: A Complete Fantasyland Roster Rebuild

Stoney Keeley explains the 23 needs he has listed for the Tennessee Titans this offseason and how he would tackle 'em on this week's Unofficial Titans Podcast.

Episode Transcript

(00:05):
Thank you from Sobros HQ and Nashville, Tennessee to wherever you're cheering on your
Tennessee Titans. The Sobros Network presentsthe Unofficial Titans Podcast. Welcome back for

(00:31):
another episode of the Unofficial Titans Podcastright here on Sobros Network. Mine's right,
asses tight as we tackle this week'sepisode, It's your boy the e
C at Sobrosnetwork dot com, BigNatural Stony Keiley. You can follow me
on Twitter at Stony Keeley follow uscollectively at sobros Network on all major social

(00:54):
media platforms. Flying solo for youtoday. I thought this would be a
good spot for us to kind oftake a pause and take a look at
the state of this Tennessee Titans roster, and I'm gonna provide you guys real
solutions on how they can fix theclusterfuck that they find themselves in. Right
now. I'm gonna end up talkingabout fifty eight players by the time this

(01:17):
uh, by the time this podcastis over with. But there is a
slight lull in the offseason calendar rightnow that I thought would provide us a
good little window to kind of resetright the dust has settled on all of
the Senior Bowl stuff. The coachingstaff by and large has been filled out

(01:38):
for Brian Callahan's staff with the Titans, and next week we're gonna have the
combine to talk about and it's justgonna be full on draft season from here
on out. But before you knowit, like free agency is gonna be
here too. I mean, there'sgonna be a lot going on the next
couple of months, but right nowwhere we are here and now, it's
kind of a really quick, littlesoft in between spell from all of that

(02:01):
stuff I just mentioned dying down andall of the next stuff ramping up.
So I kind of thought, I'mgoing to take a look at this roster,
and I've got things dropped into fourdifferent buckets as far as team needs
go, and I'm going to gothrough each and every bucket on this week's
episode, and I am going totell you guys what I think the Titans

(02:23):
need and whether I think they shouldspend a draft pick on it or if
this is a target for free agency. So there's a lot to get into.
I mean, I let me seeif I can just count these real
quick. I've got four different buckets, like I said, and there's at
least four in every bucket, andthe depth competition bucket has nine no,

(02:44):
I'm sorry, ten ten spots init. So if you're doing the math
real quick, I mean, I'mlooking at this, twenty three needs,
I would say the Titans have twentythree needs. Now I've got them broken
down by bucket. I've got thembroken down by priority, that sort of

(03:08):
thing. What I'm going to offeryou guys today is what the plan that
I would concoct if I were generalmanager of the Titans. So the four
buckets that I designed, and theseare kind of like levels of the roster.
Impact players. I think they needfour starters. I think they need

(03:30):
four starters. In addition to fourimpact players, I think they need five
contributors. Now, these are goingto be your role players, rotational guys,
guys that you need to play butaren't going to be in a featured
role or anything like that. Andthen, like I said, I've got
a bucket for depth where they needcompetition to make the back end of the

(03:54):
roster stronger. Obviously, your impactplayers are going going to be top priority.
The positions that I have in thatbucket are left tackle, wide receiver,
cornerback, and This one may besomewhat controversial, but I've got linebacker
here because I think the linebacker positionis largely being underrated in the NFL right

(04:23):
now. But if you look atthe final four teams in the NFL,
the teams that played on Championship Sunday, they all had good linebackers. I
mean, Baltimore and San Francisco areprobably the best linebacking corps in the NFL.
Tell me watch Fred Warner and dragreenlaw Poor went out for Dre greenlaw

(04:46):
Man. What a tough scene inthe Super Bowl. Watch those two and
tell me linebacker doesn't matter. AndI think that's where we kind of slipped
up as Titans fans. And I'mguilty of I'm as guilty of this as
anybody is. I think with thetalent that they had last year and the
year before Mike Rabel coaching them up, I think we kind of took the

(05:08):
linebacker position for granted. I do, because we kind of just assumed,
and I think part of it isVerbel assuming as well that they could just
trot anybody out there and they couldmake do. And that's how we ended
up with Jack Gibbons, Monty Rice, Letting, David long Walk Aziz al

(05:30):
Shier is good, don't get mewrong, but there's a massive hole next
to him. And I think fromwhat I've heard, I've talked to other
people about it, I've heard otherpeople in the media say, is that
Mike Vrabel just kind of thought theycould do they could make something out of
whoever was out there linebacker. AndI think that's the wrong way to think
about it. And I think thatas Titans fans, we've developed a little

(05:56):
bit of Stockholm syndrome about linebackers overthe last couple of years. But when
you look at a team like SanFrancisco with their two linebackers, Baltimore with
Patrick Queen and Rokwan Smith, evenDetroit with Alex Azeloni Jack Campbell, you
look at Kansas City with Nick BoltonLeoshanal like the these are good playmakers,

(06:18):
and you know, I'm it's ait's a massive reduction to just be like,
wow, they had these teams hadreally good linebackers, so therefore they
made it to the championship game.No, those teams had really good players
at all levels of the field.That's how they made it to the championship
games. What I'm saying is Idon't think the Titans can afford any longer

(06:39):
to just treat the linebacker position likeany old body, any old warm body
can go out there and do it. So I think they need an impact
player at linebacker, and that's whyI put it in that bucket with corner,
wide receiver, and left tackle starters. I think you need your center.
I don't think you need the impactplayer right now, because I think

(07:02):
this is a really good deep draftto get a value center day two or
day three even, And I thinkyou have a center in house in Daniel
Brunskill that could slide over and playthe position if you had to, but
it's still a spot that you haveto figure out the top of your depth
chart. Same with right tackle,and I think you need the starter.

(07:25):
But I think right now you've gota conglomerate of three or four talented guys
with traits Dylan Raiden's Jalen Duncan.I'm not ready to give up on Jalen
Duncan just yet. I know peopleare ready to run him out of town,
but I kind of want to seewhat he can do with Bill Callahan
before I give up on him.But John Ajukuu and Nicholas Petifrere. Like

(07:46):
all of these guys are physically gifted, so maybe you can mold one of
them into being the right tackle,but I still think you need to try.
You need to try and go geta right tackle this offseason as well.
I think the other the fifth priorityposition that I have is another cornerback,

(08:07):
because I just I don't know who'sgoing to be playing cornerback for this
team next season, don't I don'texpect it to be Christian Fulton and Sean
Murphy Bunting was a nice enough storyin twenty twenty three, but I don't
think from a stylistic standpoint, Andif you subscribe to stacking the inbox,

(08:28):
you've already read my piece on this, Murphy Bunting kind of likes to keep
things in front of him, andI kind of feel like Denard Wilson's gonna
want some of these longer, moreaggressive press man corners athletes at the position.
And I just don't know that themoney that Sean Murphy Bunting's probably going
to ask for is going to beworth it for the fit in this system.

(08:50):
Like I can totally see this thisstaff in this regime looking at a
player like Murphy Bunting and just beinglike, no, it's we're not saying
you don't deserve this, but it'sa pass because of a schematic fit.
So I don't think he's going tostick around. I don't think Christian Fulton's
going to stick around. I meanyou're talking about like Trey Avery and maybe
the reclamation project of Caleb Farley asyour top option. So I think cornerback

(09:15):
is two times a priority need forthis franchise. I think you need an
impact player, and then I thinkyou still need to go get another starter.
And then lastly, I think Ithink you're got to have a starter
at safety next to him Oni Hooker. As far as contributors go, and
remember I defined this as the roleplayers, like your your third edge rusher

(09:39):
is going to fall into this category. Your third receiver is going to fall
into this category. Your complimentary runningback to ty J. Spears is going
to fall into this category. Defensiveline is going to fall into this category.
And then I've also got linebacker again, like we're gonna get We're gonna
get through this thing, and youguys are going to be like, we

(10:00):
fucking get it. Stony. TheTitans need linebackers, but I think they
I think they need multiple linebackers thisyear. Linebacker and cornerback and wide receiver
are the three positions that I'm like, you gotta go get a bunch of
dudes. So and I mentioned dline and the contributor, and then depth
competition, your back end guys,your camp bodies that are gonna make everybody

(10:24):
better. The iron sharpened, irons, iron sharpens iron class. I think
you need another guard, another swingtackle, one of those like six man
off the bench type of offensive linementhat can come in and play multiple spots.
Because I think if this team wantsto have any shot at being competitive
right away in twenty twenty four,they have so many needs, so few

(10:46):
draft picks that they would serve themselveswell to find guys that can can fill
multiple holes if need be. That'swhat she said. So I'm looking at
a guy like I mean, let'stalk about Dominic Pooney, who I'm really
high on left tackle experience at Kansas. I don't know that he has the

(11:07):
athleticism the range to play on theedge at the NFL level, but he's
got experience there. He can kickinside to guard. They were playing him
at center during the Senior Bowl.Maybe he can play on the right side
too. I'm talking like true versatilityalong the offensive line. That's a value
add in twenty twenty four because hecould potentially fill a number of holes for

(11:30):
you guys, and this player numberone. All right, we're gonna talk
about fifty eight more or whatever Isaid, But that's what I mean Cooper
de Gene. I haven't studied histape yet. I don't have an evaluation
written for him, but I knowthere are a lot of people that are
like, No, he can playoutside corner, he can play slot corner.
You could kick him inside to safety. I just gave myself a fucking

(11:50):
paper cut. He fills a lotof holes. That type of player,
I think is where you're looking forsome of these positions to add depth to
the roster in multiple places. Ithink you need a tight end. Tight
End is probably the position that Ifeel the best about heading into the twenty
twenty four offseason, because I kindof like the potential of Chicka Konquo.

(12:13):
I like that he kind of cameon down the stretch and I was way
high on Josh Wiley after calling himjust a dude in the draft class and
the lead up to that, butseeing how they used him and seeing what
he was capable of, his size, his frame, his ability to just
kind of do it all as atight end. I think they're gonna make
for a hell of a one totwo punch in this offense. But I
think they could use a third guyjust for depth purposes. Wide receiver.

(12:37):
We're not stopping here. We're notstopping here. We're adding. I told
Zach earlier today, Mike, theyneed eight dudes. They need eight wide
receivers. Get eight guys that canplay wide receiver in the NFL. Fuck
special teams. Eight dudes that canplay wide receiver in the NFL, and
sort out the best five or sixthat you need to. But they need

(13:01):
to kind of overhaul the position alittle bit. I don't think you can
count on Traylon Burks. I wouldlove to see Traylon Burks pan out,
and I'm not ready to close thedoor on him just yet, but I
don't think he can be a significantYou can't lean on him for production right.
I'm looking at it as you've gotDeAndre Hopkins for now. I would

(13:22):
assume he's gonna stay. You gotDeAndre Hopkins and that's about it. I'd
like an expanded role for Kyle Phillips. I don't know that they're gonna bring
Nick Westbrook a knee back. Idon't know that they're gonna bring Chris Moore
back. You got Colton dal yougot Kiarras Jackson, Treyshawn Harrison. Like,
you need dudes, and you needguys that can contribute and play on
Sunday. So that's why wide receiverpops up on my list so much.

(13:46):
I'm gonna say it again. Linebacker, but this time, I mean get
a developmental guy. You have OtisReese, you have Chance Campbell, but
add some more competition and have alot of these young guys competing to see
if you've got a gym among thegroup, somebody that can step up when
you need it. Defensive line,edge rusher. I mean, I think

(14:09):
you need depth at both of thosepositions. Cornerback yet again, I mean,
I think this is not only goingto be a shift in personnel as
far as talent like we need toget. We need to upgrade the talent
at cornerback on this roster. ButI think there's also a different prototype of
cornerback, and I think that meansthey're going to look for higher numbers at

(14:31):
that position. Safety. I thinkthis is a really good draft class to
do some value shopping at safety.I don't think it's a very good class
if you need a guy to comein on week one and start for you,
But I don't think that's where theTitans are right now. Also,
wait, I did mention safety asa starter. That was one of my
four positions that you need a starter. And lastly I would mention quarterback because

(14:58):
the state of the NFL these days, injuries, you just never know.
Ryan Tannehill is gone, Malik Willis, listen. I think you could be
optimistic here and you could say,give him more time, give him more
of a chance to develop. I'malso okay if you just want to cut

(15:18):
bait and see if if somebody elsecan make something out of him. I
think you need a constant rotation ofyoung guys coming in, and I should
I should have shot Zak attext andasked him about this. I think he
said it was super Horn that toldhim, like, every every two seasons

(15:39):
or so, you need to becycling in a young quarterback just because of
the premium on the position to geta guy in to develop for when you
need a quarterback, or if thequarterback you have turns out to not be
the guy, You've already got arelatively stable floor built with another prospect,
and so you're in a better positionwhere if you have to reevaluate, maybe
you don't want to pay the rookiecontract. You kind of have a guy

(16:03):
in waiting at all times. Ithink they're going to overhaul the position behind
will Levis. I would expect themto. I don't know that, but
like I said, Ryan Tannehill's afree agent. I think he's going to
want to start somewhere. Malik Williskind of feels like a project. I
think they might add a veteran guyto the mix, but I could also
see them not spending a draft pick. But I think there's some good,

(16:27):
intriguing undrafted options at the quarterback positiontoo, where they could get another rookie
in to potentially develop for on downthe line. We'll get into all this
stuff, by the way, I'mjust laying the groundwork. Those are the
twenty three needs that I think theTitans have. Now we're going to start
with free agency as I now takethose buckets and expand on whether I would

(16:51):
invest a draft pick or a freeagent addition. So let's start with free
agency there or in this exercise,I started with free agency for the sake
of this podcast and keeping things simpleinstead of spiraling into one hundred different directions
going here, coming back, goingthere, coming back, and then returning
and so on and so forth.I'm just going to keep it organized by

(17:14):
the buckets. But when I performedthis exercise and got the slip of paper
that I have in front of me, you start with free agency, obviously,
because that's going to dictate what youdo in the draft, at least
a little bit. And I thinkthat this is a team that would be
prudent for them to spend big moneyon defense in free agency, because I

(17:38):
think the free agent defensive classes area lot better than the offensive free agent
classes. You guys might grill me, but I'm not spending big money for
any of these offensive linemen. I'mjust I'm not. I'm going to rebuild
that through the draft. Some ofthese wide receivers, like listen, I

(18:00):
get it. T Higgins is apipe dream. Maybe they trade for him.
I don't know. I don't knowhow I feel about T Higgins.
Brandon Ayuk is a pipe dream.Maybe Michael Pittman junior, maybe Mike Evans
are available. Hollywood Brown, likeI know a lot of you guys are
hung up on Hollywood Brown, andmaybe, yeah, you bring him in

(18:21):
as like a third option for hisspeed, and you see what you have.
There is maybe a guy that canmake something happen with the ball in
his hands, but he's not aproven commodity in the NFL. I look
around. Everybody wants this team tospend big money on a wide receiver,
but all of these free agent orpotential free agent wide receivers have a major

(18:45):
question mark about him. I don'tthink there's any significant contributor to this team
it's going to be worth that kindof money. The way I'm looking at
it is that I don't think whoever, whoever you bring in in free agency
is going to top DeAndre Hopkins asthe team's number one wide receiver. So

(19:10):
I don't want to pay that premium. I would rather pay that premium on
to other priority positions that I've laidout. Linebacker, cornerback, maybe cornerback
again, edge rusher, defensive line, Like you see what I'm saying,
Like these are you go where themarket dictates, the market says there's some

(19:32):
real quality options at cornerback, there'ssome real quality options at linebacker. So
that's where I'm wanting to spend mymoney. And you guys can come at
me with your pitchforks, but that'swhere I'm starting. I'm starting with the
linebackers, and I'm looking at freeagents like Patrick Queen. I think he's
my crown jewel of this free agentclass. Love the season that he's had,

(19:53):
he has experience playing for Denard Wilsonin Baltimore. This is a team
that I think needs to get seriousabout the line, as I've established,
So go after Patrick Queen. JosieJewell is another option. If you can't
pay Patrick Queen, you can't shellout the dough or you know, you
feel like maybe it's too much moneyto invest in a single position that you

(20:15):
have so many needs across the board. You can't make Patrick Queen happen.
I like Josie Jewel. I'm alsointrigued by Frankie Luvu, who flashed a
couple of times with the Carolina Panthers. I thought had a pretty good season.
I'm not too familiar with his gameoutside of this kind of flash in
the pan season like out of Nowherefor Carolina, but he is an option

(20:36):
that probably shouldn't break the bank theway Patrick Queen would, but I think
you have to get a difference makerat that position. I also think you
have to have a difference maker atthe cornerback position. I like Jalen Johnson,
I like Lagarius Need. You're gonnahave to shell out big bucks to
get either one of those guys.I know people have their reservations about throwing

(20:57):
a ton of money at a cornerbut I think those two guys specifically have
earned it, and I would beokay if they offered them big contracts,
So big contracts at cornerback and linebacker. For me, I'm making Patrick Queen
and Jalen Johnson a priority. Ithink Lagerius Sneed had a good enough season.

(21:17):
I think he's gonna command a prettyhigh ticket. Like that's you're gonna
spend some money if you're going afterQueen and Sneed. So maybe you get
some sort of combination of Lagerious Needand Josie Jewel or something like that,
or maybe you go Patrick Queen andJalen Johnson. I think Chadobi or Cheetah
Bay. I can't remember how topronounce it. I've heard it pronounced both
ways. A Woozia. He's agood option. I've been a big fan

(21:38):
of his ever since I watched hiscollege tape years ago. I was kind
of hoping the Titans would draft him, and they drafted a Dori Jackson instead,
so I would be okay with that. And then, like Arthur Malette,
I don't think is going to requirea big contract. But again,
the familiarity with Denard Wilson, theseason he had in twenty twenty three,
I think he's capable of coming hereand being a star. But if I'm

(22:00):
running the show, like I said, I'm addressing cornerback and linebacker in free
agency, and I'm gonna spend,I'm gonna be happy to spend the other
impact players. And that's to beclear. Patrick Queen, impact player,
Jalen Johnson lagerious sneed impact players.By the way, I know people will

(22:21):
probably say the Chiefs are gonna tagsneed They've got a decision to make.
I mean, you can't have twofranchise tags and they've got a situation with
Chris Jones. It's brewing as well, so I think it's possible Lagerious sneed
hits the market, and if hedoes, I'd welcome him to Nashville with
open arms. The other impact playersin this bucket, this first bucket that

(22:44):
I'm looking at, in addition tocornerback and linebacker, they need a splash
wide receiver. They need a lefttackle, and they need a franchise left
tackle. I would argue that isthe greatest need on the roster and that's
where I'm going into the draft forboth of these positions, but specifically with
that seventh overall pick, and I'mtaking Joe walt Or, I'm taking Olu

(23:06):
Fashionu fashion Wu. Sorry, Ijust got my pronunciation guide in the Twitter
DMS. I don't remember if itwas Zach or Easton that sent that to
me, but thanks boys, whoeverit was alt or fashion U. Now
I think there's a chance Alt isgone. It's it's gonna be a heartbreaker
if both of the guys are offthe table, and I'm the GM of
the Titans. By the way,in this situation, I'm in the war

(23:29):
room and I'm watching all The hypethat Jaden Daniels is getting right now is
nothing but a smoke screen to tryand get teams to trade up. The
New England Patriots go with Joe Waltand number three overall. The Arizona Cardinals
inexplicably pass on a wide receiver andthey're like, no, we gotta get
We got to get the left tacklesituated. We're gonna move Paris Johnson to

(23:51):
the right side. I think theydid. They already move Paris Johnson too
the right side, I don't remember, and they're like, we want Olu
fashion U. I've got to getthe pronounce down. Then, Like I'm
in a tough spot, that's whatI might swap the two impact player positions
around. I'm gonna abandon left tackleand go to wide receiver and hopefully I'm

(24:14):
gonna get Roma Doonzay because man,I think that guy. Him and Joe
Walt are my favorite players in thisdraft class right now, So maybe I
switch things up. But in aperfect scenario, I need impact players at
multiple spots. I've got Patrick Queen, I've got Jalen Johnson. Let's add
Joe Walt to the mix. That'swho I'm going for and I think if

(24:36):
we are to believe the smoke that'scoming out, then I think there's a
good chance that Jaden Daniels go somewherein the top six. That's the domino
that kind of has to fall theright way. I think for the Titans,
if we are to believe the fashionnew hype is really cooling off,
and I think he's going to bean option there, one of those two
guys I gotta get locked down tobe my franch eyes left tackle. And

(25:02):
then you know, I don't Idon't know that I love. This is
something that Zach and I talked about. It's up on Stacking the Inbox in
an episode of Drinking with the Scoutswhere we were just drunk at the bar
talking about this wide receiver class.I love this wide receiver class. I
think it is deep. I thinkthere are gonna be multiple undrafted guys that

(25:23):
are gonna be playing in the NFLnext year. I think it's that good.
But I think there is a significantgap between the top four wide receivers
in this in this class, andthose are for me, Harrison Junior,
A DOONSA Molik Neighbors, Brian ThomasJr. If you're not on BTJ.
Get on BTJ right now. Thedude's gonna be good. I think there's

(25:45):
a a blind spot between those clearfirst round talents and like the round three
guys, Like I think you havefour elite prospects and then you have a
bunch of like mid round picks.So I think there's a gap there at
thirty eight, And that's why Ithink I would go with the other position

(26:08):
that I have labeled a priority thatthey need the other starter in to pair
with Jalen Johnson. I go withcornerback there at thirty eight, and I'm
hoping for Ennis Rakestraw junior, butI'll take Kamari Lassiter as well. But
the wide receiver then goes to thefourth or fifth round, and that's where

(26:30):
I still think that you're you're stillgonna get an impact player. Like a
lot of my rankings for the sakeof this podcast are based off of NFL
mock Draft database, and there aresome prospects listed that I'm like, bro,
ain't no way, ain't no waythat guy's going to be there in
the fourth round. Ricky Piersoll ifthey get Ricky pearsoon in the fourth round,

(26:52):
I'm gonna be stretching my Levi eyes, Okay, I mean, I
just I think Ricky Pearson could goin the second round, but if you
get him there in the fourth round, I mean, that's an impact player.
I think Brendan Rice could be animpact player in that range. Jamari
Thrash, who I've talked about,Luke McCaffrey I've talked about. I think

(27:15):
you're adding some pretty good players atthat spot. So that's how I would
go to address the impact players.We're going free agent for cornerback. We're
going free agent for linebacker. We'regonna get some studs. We're gonna get
our franchise left tackle in the firstround of the draft, and then we're
gonna take a wide receiver with ourone of our first three picks, depending

(27:37):
on how the dominoes fall to getthose starters. I've already mentioned cornerback's going
to be a priority. I'm goingto go to that in the draft,
and this Rakestraw Junior would be great, Kamari Lassiter. There's a whole host
of corners in that range that wouldbe pretty good options that I think are
probably gonna start pretty early in theircareers. And I'm telling you, if
I get in this Rake Straw andJalen Johnson and then I've got Roger McCreary

(28:02):
in the slot, I'm actually feelingpretty good about my secondary at that spot.
This is also fucking hypothetical. I'mlike thirty minutes into this podcast,
like planning on how I would attackthe roster, and like one thing is
different and it just throws the wholeexercise off at center. I'm addressing that
through the draft because, like Isaid, I think you can wait until

(28:25):
the fourth or fifth round and geta starting caliber center. I like Kingsley
Aguakhon. If you are a subscriberto Stacking in the Inbox, He's one
of my hidden gems. He's actuallythe king of my Hidden Jim's class.
I led the class off with himextensive scouting report there in addition to a
film study video. I also Ilike Bo Limmer. Everybody wants to play
the to and Andre Sweat clip fromthe Senior Bowl and act like he's just

(28:49):
you know this, this rail thinguy that's just gonna get mowed down.
It's not him. He's a toughguy. He's a scrapper, he's active
with his feet, He's active withhis hands. He has the versatility,
which goes back to another point thatI've talked about with this roster. If
you can get guys to help inmultiple ways, you're filling multiple holes.
Potentially he can play guard, hecan play center. I like Charles Turner

(29:11):
the third as a late, latevalue. Add I think you could probably
get him on six or seventh.I mean, it's currently ranked like a
fringe draftable, but I think hecould be a starter in the league.
So there's good value to be hadthere, and that's why I think you
wait on it. And I alsothink that you can slot brunskilled over,

(29:33):
as Zach pointed out on a footballshow, Football and other f worts,
I don't remember which it was thisweek, but he has experienced there.
We're in a pinch. He canbe your starter. I think that alleviates
the need for an impact player atthe position right tackle, similar sort of
deal, like there's some good valueat right tackle, guy like Delmar Glaze.
Again, versatility, has experience atleft tackle, has a lot of

(29:55):
experience at right tackle. I knowsmart people aren't really comfortable with how he
handles speed at the edge, andI get that but I also I like
the experience the way I phrased itto James Foster, and I don't remember
if this was actually on the podcastI recorded with him, or if we

(30:15):
were just chatting about it, butwhen he played tackle against a speedy edge
rusher, guys would run by him, he would set to where the edge
rusher was like a split second toolate, so like he would jump and
he would land where the edge rusherwas half a second prior. So you
know what I'm saying, like justa half a second behind, and that's

(30:37):
concerning. But he could also kickinto guard. He could play I think
he can play center too. Ithink maybe he's just an interior guy.
Maybe it's just a guard, butI like him to be a potential right
tackle candidate. I think he's gotthe length to try. Maybe you put
him out there and work it out. I also, I really am growing
to like Roger who Roger Rosengarden outof Washington. I know people are gonna

(31:00):
hammer me for the Michigan tape hadsome bad reps on it where he got
driven back. Michael Pennock's got ashit kicked in that game. I get
the concerns, but I'm telling youthat one game does not make the prospect,
and I don't think he is goingto be there on day three.
I think his stock is soaring,and I think he's gonna prove to be
pretty athletic at the combine next week. I don't think he's going to be

(31:22):
an option, but I'm just goingbased off of again, based off of
the list that I have right now. I think there are quality right tackle
options, and you already have awhole slew of guys in house that you
might be able to develop into oneof those roles as well. I've talked
about cornerback safety. I think youneed a starting safety next to him Moni

(31:45):
Hooker. Don't know if Elijah Moldencan be that guy, but I think
there are some good value adds herethat have starter upside, namely, Kevon
Wallace. The dude played well downthe stretch for the Titans. He was
a good free agent addition. Gethim a new deal and keep him in
town. Geno Stone is another freeagent to be that has connections to Denard

(32:06):
Wilson, former Baltimore Raven player.Had a good season, could come down
here and be a pretty decent starter, and then you still have Elijah Molden
on the staff or on the roster, And I mean, who knows,
Maybe Caleb Farley turns to safety andthey can get something out of him.
I don't know, but I thinkthey need a guy, and I think

(32:27):
there are some free agent options whenthe draft class is not that good for
safeties. If you need a startingsafety, don't know what to tell you.
If you want a developmental guy withgood traits or good experience, bring
him to see what happens. Kindof character. Man. This draft class
is littered with safeties like that.But if you want a starter, you've
got to go get one in freeagency this year in my opinion, But

(32:51):
I think there are some good candidatesthere to start next to a money hooker.
We're going down to the third bucket. And to keep in mind,
I've already one two, three,four, four, Uh draft picks for
the Titans. Actually, no that'snot true. One two, three,
four five Okay, yeah, that'sright. A five draft picks for the

(33:13):
Titans. At this point, theyonly have seven, and uh, the
last two are gonna come in thisbucket. You need contributors. Also,
Yes, I'm aware, like Iam piecing this thing. Together as if
every single one of these decisions isgoing to hit, and it never happens
that way. I'm just trying toI'm just trying to set the Titans up

(33:35):
for the best chance that they haveto uh to get this roster right.
Two more draft picks, and Ithink I probably given given the state of
the free agent classes. I thinkyou can get good a good wide receiver
here. I think you can geta good edge rusher here. And I
think you can get a good linebackerhere. In free agency. We're adding

(33:59):
another linebacker, yes we are.So, I think the two draft picks
at the contributor level that are left, I'm probably going to spend on defensive
line and running back. Now theseare your two. These are probably gonna
be two of your seventh round picks. I mean these could also be undrafted
guys, if there's somebody else outthere that feels another need that you're just

(34:21):
like, can't pass up the talent. I'm not saying that I'm married to
seventh round has to be a runningback in a defensive line. It's just
kind of way this exercise shook downfor me. Running back. I really
like Jalen Wright out of Tennessee.I really like Amani Bailey. I've got
a full scouting report on him.He's in my head, in Jim's class.
He's not gonna cost you any draftcapital, I don't think, and

(34:45):
you know, I don't like makingplayer cops too often, but I think
Amani Bailey has a lot of IsaiahPacheco in him. Rasheen a Lee out
of Marshall, assuming the injury hesustained at the Senior Bowl isn't too serious.
Like these are guys late on Daythree, maybe even as an undrafted
guy that can come in and help. I like Blake Watson out of Memphis

(35:07):
a lot too. I watched himkick ass in the Hula Bowl. He
went and kicked ass in the ShrineBowl. Really soft hands as a pass
catcher, speed acceleration, but he'sgot the toughness to run between the tackles.
I like him a lot. Ithink there's a really good group of
running backs that are gonna be tremendousvalue. Adds Kamani Vadal out of Troy,
Dylan Lobby out of New Hampshire.There's a whole host of these guys

(35:30):
that I think are gonna come inlate on Day three and could probably get
significant playing time next to tay j. Spears. That other position I mentioned,
defensive line, you're looking at guyslike again, I think there are
some really good situational role players inthis draft at this position defensive line.
I don't know what the middle classlooks like for me. I really like

(35:52):
Byron Murphy, I really like DevandreSweat. I really like there's one more
big defensive tackle that I'm But there'ssome good talent at the top of this
class, and there's some good depth, But I don't know what the middle
class looks like, and that's whyI'm waiting so late. To address the
defensive line depth. I'm adding aguy like Gabe Hall, who has versatility,

(36:14):
a little bit of pass rush potential. I don't know that he has
the raw power to routinely win likeone on one with a bull rush against
NFL tackles, but he's a passrusher type. He's twitchy, he's a
good athlete. I like Keith RandolphJunior. Again, at this point,
you're not getting any perfect prospect.I know Keith Randolph Junior is a little
bit undersize. I know his tapeis not the most consistent. But I

(36:36):
love the way he's built. Ilove his low center of gravity, and
I love the power that he playswith. Christian Boyd out of Northern Iowa
really good value add as just abig, pot bellied run stuff in defensive
tackle, a presence they need.And then this guy Juwan Briggs out of
Cincinnati that I watched in the ShrineBowl, plays with power, plays with
good hands, leverage that sort ofthing. These are guys that can come

(36:58):
in and you can add to adefensive line rotation and can make plays.
So the three remaining contributor positions thatI have in this bucket wide receiver,
edge, linebacker, I'm tackling allof these in free agency. Let's start
with linebacker, where I'm gonna bringback as Ease. I'll shire if I

(37:19):
can. Now last year I thoughtpretty good year for him. Might command
quite a bit of money. Idon't know if you can make the dollars
and cents work. This is acase where I look at it and I'm
like before I'm like, well,there's no way they're gonna get Asease and
Patrick Queen or a guy of hiscaliber. But now that they raise the
salary cap, I'm like, ah, you know what if you get Patrick

(37:40):
Queen and as he's I'll shire that'spretty good. I don't know if I'm
gonna go as far as to saythat's as good as the Championship Sunday teams
that I mentioned earlier, but Ithink, like I take a step back
and I'm like, oh shit,like this changes things for this defense.
And I don't think he's going tobreak the bank. But I don't think

(38:02):
he's going to be a cheap optioneither. The other guy I kind of
liked doing a little bit of thestudy on the Cleveland Browns this year,
Sioni Taki Taki, I think isprobably going to be a pretty good cheap
value add certainly cheaper than his easeI would think, but he's a guy
that could come in and play aswell edge rushers. I think Jonathan Grenard

(38:28):
is going to get paid. I'mintrigued by a guy like Zach Bond.
Now. I admittedly haven't kept upwith him much in the NFL, but
I really liked his tape and Ireally thought he had positional versatility. I
didn't exactly know what he was goingto be in the NFL. Is he
an edge rusher. Is he aninside linebacker. I think he could provide

(38:50):
some value at a fairly low costthat will give you a little bit of
juice in the pass rush and thenwide receiver. This is where I feel
like people are gonna come after mebecause I'm not going after a T.
Higgins. I'm not going after aMichael Pittman. Damn, I gotta keep
pausing. My throat's going out alot of podcasts this week, So I'm

(39:12):
not going after one of these bigguys. But I think you can get
a contributor there. Noah Brown Ilike him a lot. I like Donovan
People's Jones. I know he hada kind of a fluky season with Where
did he end up with the Lions? I think? But I liked him
before he re signed with the ClevelandBrowns. DeMarcus Robinson as a free agent
from the Rams, Like, hesingle handedly, literally single handedly won me

(39:36):
a Fantasy championship this year, Sobring him to the two tone Blue baby,
That's what I'm saying. I alsolike, I looked on a spot
rack for this and they listed BowMelton as a free agent, and I
was like, man, I've beena big bow Meltain fan ever since I
saw him at the Senior Bowl acouple of years ago. Like if they
could scratch and claw to get bowmeltin here, he's gonna make some plays

(39:57):
in this offense. But then Igo to over cap and they're like,
nah, he's not gonna be afree agent until twenty twenty five. I
guess the Packers liked what they sawand they signed him to a new deal
because he's gonna be making one pointsix next year. So good for him,
Good for Bo Milton, he deservedit. Happy to see him get
a shot. But I'm mainly circlingNoah Brown and DeMarcus Robinson here, and
if I could get either of thoseguys, I'm feeling pretty good with a

(40:23):
wide receiver corps that has DeAndre Hopkins, that has Kyle Phillips in it,
that has Ricky Piersoll in it.Let's say maybe a Brendan Rice, maybe
a Luke McCaffrey, and then hasa Noah Brown or DeMarcus Robinson. That's
a pretty good floor for me.Now, I know, like you guys
are gonna come at me. Iget it. Oh, we need a

(40:44):
franchise wide receiver. I just don'tthink where you have to go this year
to get one. I don't choosethat route over Joe aalter Olu Fashionu.
I just don't. It's I'm justnot there right now. I'm not gonna
complain if they end up with RomanDonzay and thoughts and prayers at left tackle.

(41:07):
I'm not gonna complain too much aboutit. But I'm making the decisions
in this exercise. I'm gonna gofor left tackle, and I'm not gonna
overpay one of these free agent widereceivers. I'm gonna get something safe,
and you know what, we're talkingabout, a multiple year rebuild with the
Titans anyway, I think they canbe competitive with that, and I might
just wait and address wide receiver nextyear. Again, not gonna be popular

(41:31):
because I'm not sucking T Higgins Dickon this podcast, but that's what I
would do. And that's the contributorbucket for the depth and competition bucket.
I think I'm adding a couple morefree agents. I think I'm going after
Cornelius Lucas. I think he couldbe an option at tackle, but I

(41:52):
think he's an experienced guy. Idon't think the Titans are gonna have a
whole lot of experienced guys in theoffensive line room this eason, I like
Cornelius Lucas, and then on thedefensive line, like I'm kind of I
kind of feel like day Kwon Joneswould be a good option for this team.
Like not a splash player, Iget it, but we're talking about

(42:13):
depth here. Brings a little ageexperience. He's a mature guy, and
he's just been steady eddie wherever he'sbeen. I like had to do a
double take, like, oh mygod, he's still in the NFL.
And I think he would be agood option there to pair with your Jeffrey
Simmons, to pair with your whoeverstays on the defensive line, and then

(42:34):
your your draft pick, let's saya Gabe Haul there. You got a
little bit of everything for that defensiveline. I'm feeling pretty good about that.
If you could sign a Daikwon Jones, I think at his age,
I don't think he's gonna cost toomuch money. I don't know. I
think it would be a good ad. And then the rest of this these
needs I have undrafted free agent optionstight end. I think you need a

(42:57):
third guy. I kind of wantto see a guy that can can do
a little bit of everything. ButI kind of want, like, I
kind of want one of those tightend full back hybrids. And I look
at a guy like Dallan Holker outof Colorado State Tip Ryman. Tip Ryman
looks like he's fucking frankensigned monster outthere. I mean, he's just built
like a giant. I kind ofwant somebody like that that I think can

(43:21):
blow open a hole. I don'tknow that Chig or Josh Wiley are going
to be blowing open holes or anythinglike that. I don't know what this
offensive system is going to be.I just kind of want a skill set
for every situation on this roster.And I don't think it's going to cost
him much to get one of theseguys in there that can play full back,
play tight end. I think tipRyman had a really good catch in
the Shrine Bowl that showed like hislength, soft hands, that sort of

(43:45):
thing. Both of these guys arekind of like scrappers, and I like
both of them as undrafted options.I think a triple dip into wide receiver
here, You've added a free agent, You've added a high draft pick.
I think this class is so deepthere's gonna be guys that slip through the
cracks that are gonna be playing.I like Jakwan Jackson out of Tulane quite

(44:07):
a bit. Ty's Washington, littleundersize, but he can. You know,
maybe you're you're competing with Kyle Phillipsfor that slot spot, but I
think you're just adding juice. However, you can add juice this offseason.
I like him. He's got juice. Jalen Coker shifty, start stop kind
of wide receiver out of Holy Cross. I think he probably ends up drafted.

(44:28):
Small school guy, right, buthad a good Hula Bowl parlayed it
into a Shrine Bowl appearance. Idon't think he was actually in the game,
but I think after the combine morepeople catch up on him. I
think he's probably drafted, but ifnot, man he would be a great
addition to the offense. And thenour boy Ryan Flornoy from the Senior Bowl
probably gets drafted. But this classis so loaded that that one of these

(44:51):
guys are gonna slip through the crack. So I think Flornoy would be my
choice of the litter. And thenyou're looking back on it now, all
of a sudden, Okay, you'vegot DeAndre Hopkins, You're you've got like
house money with Traylon Burke's as Bradengall called it. I believe you've got
uh, let's say DeMarcus Robinson.Let's say you've got Ricky Pearsall. Let's

(45:15):
say you uh, you still haveKyle Phillips, and then you have Ryan
Flornoy as your six, and youstill have this like hodgepodge of dudes that
you're gonna bring to camp sort itall out. I'm feeling pretty good about
that. Actually, I know itmight not be popular, but I think
I'm feeling pretty good about that linebacker. Again. I just want a developmental

(45:37):
guy. I want a guy thathas potential, has traits, has some
combination of the two. I'm intriguedby Nathaniel Watson because I don't think he
had a good practice week at theSenior Bowl, but I think he turned
it on at the game, andI don't I don't know like him and
John Trey Hunter and Jackson Sermon allpopped Trevin Wallace out of Kentucky's another guy

(46:04):
that I think Mike's. I thinkTrevin Wallace is probably gonna get drafted.
And Jackson Sermon after the week hehad Immobile probably gets drafted, but I
think one of these guys, maybeeven a Tyrese Knight, though the buzz
I'm hearing is that he's gonna goway higher than people think. But I
think there's a tradesy guy that youcould add to the rotation. And then
you're talking about Aziz al Shier,You're talking about Patrick Queen, maybe Josie

(46:30):
Jewel. You're talking about adding oneof these tradesy guys that you can develop
in a couple of years in additionto the projects you already have on the
roster. I get that. I'mfeeling pretty damn good about linebacker Edge.
I really like this Jylex Hunt kidout of It's not Houston Baptist anymore.
It's Houston Christian. I think maybeI've got those reversed. But he's a

(46:54):
really raw guy. But man,he looks the prototype. And if you
listen to Mike Keith and Coach Macktalked to him on the OTP from the
Senior Bowl. He's a sharp player. I mean, Coach Mack said he
reminded him of Keith Bullock from theneck up kind of player. Now you
see it like out on the practicefield where he kind of, you know,

(47:15):
it's kind of like watching a babydeer run for the first time.
Throwing a move at one of theseoffensive linemen doesn't work, like you just
don't know what to do. Stalleda lot, didn't really seem to have
a robust pass rush skill set.He's pretty well acknowledged that there's a lot
of work to do. But Imentioned him specifically there at this edge spot.

(47:37):
Because you have what you have inhouse, whether it's you know,
Harold Landry arden Key. They canget Denico Autry to stay, whatever happens
with Rashad Weaver. You've added afree agent, we'll say Zach Bond,
maybe Jonathan Grenard if you feel likespending some money that type of thing.
Like, you have the luxury oftaking a guy with the future in mind

(48:00):
at this point, so he hasthe size and the traits to maybe develop
into something. I don't think youwant him starting week one, but he
could be a really good pick foryour future because we are still thinking this
is a multi year rebuild. Ourneeds are going to change every season.
But maybe we've got an intriguing piecethat we can build around here with cornerback.
It's the same deal as wide receiver. I don't know if Elijah Jones

(48:22):
out of Boston College is going toget drafted, but I thought he showed
flashes at the Senior Bowl really goodlink as a cornerback, Like I think
he could be a really good value. Add Zach mentioned Dwight mcglothern out of
Arkansas. I don't know, likeaccording to NFL mock draft database, he's
not going to be a draftable prospect, but he fits like the scoring or
whatever, all the numbers and statsthat Zach has run as somebody that this

(48:45):
franchise might be interested in. Ialso I think Jakwan Shepherd out of Maryland
is an interesting option. And thenquarterback, you know I said draft and
or a free agent. You know, like it just feels like you got
have like a Nate Sudfeld here.I don't know that you have to,
but it kind of feels like everyteam wants that experienced guy that can just

(49:07):
come in and not completely shit hispants. I would be okay, and
anybody that watched the Senior Bowl isgonna grill me for this, but I
kind of feel like Sam Hartman isbuilt to be a ten year backup in
the NFL. Smart guy, toughguy, underrated wheels. He's really good

(49:28):
runner. I think he's good onthe short intermediate stuff. You know,
the deep ball accuracy is an issue, right we saw it in the game.
He got a shit kicked in hewas way off down the field.
Didn't really help tes Walker's bad dayat all. Just don't let that sour
your taste on Sam Hartman. Goback and watch the tape. He's been
pretty consistent and yes there are questionsabout the arm strength, how far he

(49:52):
can push the ball down the field, But you're talking about grooming the guy
to be a rock steady backup foryears to come. And I don't know,
I don't know that he's going toget drafted. So if you can
get him without a pick and invitehim to camp, go for it.
And if he does get drafted,maybe you shift your focus to a guy

(50:12):
like Carter Bradley, who's pretty goodnatural thrower of the football. You kind
of question the level of competition,You kind of question his like deep accuracy
that sort of thing too, Butboth of those kind of fit in the
same mold of guys that you canbring to camp with no expectations. Just
let him study the playbook, getfamiliar with it, understand the offense,
and kind of build to being abackup that can come in and maybe play

(50:36):
a spot here or there and getyou through. And lastly, I would
mention safety, because I do thinkyou want a developmental safety out of this
group. I think it's like I'vesaid before, it's a good group to
kind of get a guy and kindof see what they have. Get a
guy with traits, get a guywith experience, get a guy with some
combination of the two. Isn't goingto cost you an arm and a leg.

(50:59):
Sorry for the silence. I justfelt my floor shaken. My house
is about to cave in on me. I don't know what's happening around here.
We need to shut this thing downand I just need to walk away.
I need the weekend to get here. But I like guys like Evan
Williams out of Oregon. He's gonnabe in my hidden gym's class. I've
got a film study coming soon tostacking the inbox on him. And then
I like Trey Taylor. I likethe way he's just kind of always around

(51:20):
the ball. Both of those guyshave range. They're not gonna cost you
a whole lot, and I thinkthey could get to a roster and have
the athletic gifts to make something happen. My concerns like this is I get
it. You're You're fifty two minutesin at this point, and you're just
like, Wow, this is apicture perfect plan, Stony. This is
rainbow Land, Like, what's it? What's it like living in Fantasyland?

(51:45):
I get it, I get it. My concerns with something like this is
that you're heavily reliant on the linebackerand cornerback free agency class. If you
don't get one of the gems ateach position there, the whole thing kind
of change is what you have todo in the draft. Same with left
tackle. Like, like I saidearlier, if Alton Fashionu are gone at

(52:06):
seven throws everything else off and Idon't know where you're gonna get your left
tackle from. In that case,you got to take a guy. You
might go a Doune's a in roundone, and you might take a guy
like Patrick Paul in the second roundand just hope for the best. Concerned
about the free agent safety class becauseI think the options are kind of limited

(52:28):
on real difference makers. So ifyou don't get one of those guys,
I don't, I don't. Iguess you're starting Elijah Molden next to him
on the hooker. I don't knowthe free agent edge class. I don't
think it's very good. I don'tthink it's very good for value adds.
There are a few big ticket guysin this class. It's fine if like
that you're missing piece, But Ijust don't think the Titans are gonna have

(52:51):
all that money to spend big ticketon ed rusher, cornerback, linebacker and
wide receiver and safety and all thestuff that they need. That's a concern.
I'm also kind of concerned about theedge class in the draft because I
don't think it's a very good edgeclass. Even the guys at the top
feel like Leatu Latu is good atlike one thing. He's got a good

(53:12):
pass rush toolkit. I have concernsabout his injury history. I have concerns
about his length. I have concernsabout his pass rush plan when the first
most when the first move doesn't work. Dallas Turner, I think, is
Brian Burns really good pass rusher,bendi speed guy, but virtually no power
to his game. And then there'sJared Verse, who's like all speed to
power. There's not really a wholelot of versatile guys. And then there

(53:36):
are a ton of project ed rushersin this class, so I'm kind of
concerned about adding pieces there. Thankfully, I don't think it's a dire need
for this team, but it isa concern. And then the free agent
O line class, I mean,I just don't think it's very good.
I just don't think it's very goodoutside of a couple of premium pieces at
maybe center, like Michael and Winoat right tackle, that's it. But

(54:01):
if if everything, if every dominofell my way, that is how I
would approach rebuilding this roster. Herea week before the scouting combine starts,
that's gonna do it. This hasbeen cathartic. I feel like I've had
a lot of that, like justbottled up inside of me that I've just
wanted to get out. And hereI am going about an hour by myself.

(54:23):
I told myself this is gonna bea quick podcast. I'm just gonna
give you thirty minutes, just intime for your drive home on a Friday
night. It's gonna be nice andeasy. It's not the case. But
here we are, and I thankyou for being here with me. If
you're not already subscribed to Stacking theInbox, go do that there. I
did a film study today that isa breakdown of Joe Walt Olu fashionu and

(54:47):
the distinction between the two. Allkinds of stuff up there on Stacking the
Inbox, All kinds of stuff uponsoobrosnetwork dot com again. You can follow
me on Twitter at Stony Keeley.Great reviews. Some describe wherever you take
in your podcast. We ain't toohard to find out in these internet streets.
I'm gonna get on out of here. TGI Friday. Wait, TGIF,

(55:08):
Why did I say Friday? God, my brain's starting to shut down.
It's the freaking weekend, baby,tg IF. I'm about to go
grab a glass of gen prop myfeet up for a little bit and relax.
Hope you get the chance to dothe same until next week. You
stay classy, Titans fans,