With the NFL trade deadline less than a week away on Nov. 10, the Tennessee Titans are in clear seller mode after sending star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears for two first-round picks and an additional fourth-round selection.
That move only sharpens the next question for GM Mike Borgonzi: who else should be on the block?
There’s a case to be made that the Titans should keep looking for draft capital, and three names stand out.
Jermaine Johnson II is the first obvious candidate. His production as a pass rusher has been uneven, but he remains a solid NFL player who can set the edge against the run.
Tennessee picked up his fifth-year rookie contract option when it dealt T’Vondre Sweat to the New York Jets for him, which means Johnson is now on an expiring contract. That alone makes him a logical trade chip.
His comfort in Robert Saleh’s defense could keep him in Tennessee, but moving him would also open more snaps for Femi Oladejo and Keldric Faulk.
Cody Barton is another player worth shopping. The veteran linebacker has started to lose playing time to Cedric Gray in recent weeks, something plenty of Titans fans probably expected sooner.
Gray and Anthony Hill Jr. look like the future tandem for Saleh’s defense. Barton is under contract through 2027, so he’s not the easiest piece to move, but a postseason team looking for a proven linebacker could still have interest.
Then there’s Tyjae Spears, who might be the most intriguing name of the bunch. Tony Pollard has been excellent lately, and Spears is also on an expiring contract.
He brings athleticism and value as a dual-threat back, especially on passing downs. If there’s a team looking for another third-down weapon, Borgonzi should at least see what the market says.
In Other News...
Titans Fans Can Breathe After Latest Trade Deadline Stance
After moving defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears for future draft picks, the Titans could have easily entered the rest of the season as a team open for more deals. Instead, the latest read on the deadline suggests Tennessee is drawing a line with safety Amani Hooker, a player who has become even more important to the defense since Simmons departure.
Hookers value has only grown with the way he has played this season, and the Titans reinforced that by naming him a defensive captain after the Simmons trade. With other teams showing interest, Tennessee appears intent on keeping one of its most reliable defenders in place as it tries to steady a unit that has already lost a major piece. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Could Sway A Playoff Race With One Trade Deadline Choice
The trade deadline is starting to look like a place where the Titans could matter well beyond their own standings, with the NFC North looming as one of the leagues most active and tightly packed divisions. Green Bay and Minnesota have already surfaced in rumors tied to Jonathan Taylor, while Detroits injury situation has left it searching for help at linebacker and the Packers have been linked to a possible kicker move. For Tennessee, that kind of market gives the front office a chance to do more than simply shop its own roster.
One name to watch is linebacker Cody Barton, who could fit the kind of need a contender is trying to solve on the fly. If the Titans decide to move him, it would not just be a roster decision in Nashville, it could ripple through a playoff race where the right addition at the right spot might matter more than usual. The deadline always creates a few surprises, but this one has the feel of a choice that could help shape the balance of power in the NFC North. [Read more 🡒]
Titans May Be Watching Another Costly Receiver Situation Unfold
Calvin Ridleys first season in Tennessee has already turned into one of the bigger disappointments on the roster, and the Titans may be staring at another expensive receiver decision before long. Signed to a four-year, $92 million deal in 2024, Ridley has not delivered the kind of impact the team expected, which has pushed him into the trade conversation as the deadline approaches.
Wan'Dale Robinson is now facing a different kind of uncertainty. The Titans brought him in on a four-year, $70 million contract, and while he has had a few encouraging moments, he has not made enough of a consistent imprint on the offense. With younger receivers earning more snaps and the staff continuing to sort out his role, Robinsons place in the long-term plan is suddenly looking less secure. [Read more 🡒]