Titans Waive One O-Lineman, Sign Another
- The Titans waived undrafted rookie offensive lineman Sam Carlson, leaving them with two open roster spots, as TitanInsider.com’s Terry McCormick tweets.
- The Titans also signed offensive lineman Ronald Patrick. Patrick has spent time on the practice squads of Dallas, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Buffalo but has yet to play in a regular-season game.
Titans To Sign Andre Johnson
1:36pm: It’s a two-year deal for Johnson, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Colts owed the veteran $2.5MM for this season, but that number will be reduced thanks to the offset language in his previous deal.
11:46am: Andre Johnson is continuing his tour of the AFC South. The veteran wide receiver has agreed to sign with the Titans, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
After spending 12 seasons in Houston, Johnson signed a three-year, $21MM contract with the Colts a year ago, and looked poised to enjoy the benefits of catching balls from Andrew Luck after playing with a cavalcade of mediocre quarterbacks over the years with the Texans. However, Luck missed more than half the season, and Johnson struggled, averaging a career-low 31.4 receiving yards per game. For the season, he had 41 catches for 503 yards and four touchdowns, easily the worst full-season marks of his career. For a player who averaged more than 1,100 receiving yards per season during the first 12 years of his career, earning seven Pro Bowl nods during that time, last year’s drop-off was precipitous.
As shown on Roster Resource, Johnson will join wide receivers Rishard Matthews, Tajae Sharpe, Kendall Wright, Dorial Green-Beckham, Harry Douglas, Justin Hunter, Tre McBride, and Andrew Turzilli (suspended for the first four games of the season) on the 90-man roster.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Titans Sign Willie Campbell
- The Titans have signed offensive lineman William Campbell, the club announced. Campbell was part of the same workout that veteran wide receiver Andre Johnson took part in today, according to Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com.
Titans Host Andre Johnson On Visit
The Titans are hosting Andre Johnson on a visit today, according to John McClain of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). Johnson, of course, was released by the rival Colts early on in the offseason. 
After spending 12 seasons in Houston, Johnson signed a three-year, $21MM contract with the Colts a year ago, and looked poised to enjoy the benefits of catching balls from Andrew Luck after playing with a cavalcade of mediocre quarterbacks over the years with the Texans. However, Luck missed more than half the season, and Johnson struggled, averaging a career-low 31.4 receiving yards per game. For the season, he had 41 catches for 503 yards and four touchdowns, easily the worst full-season marks of his career. For a player who averaged more than 1,100 receiving yards per season during the first 12 years of his career, earning seven Pro Bowl nods during that time, last year’s drop-off was precipitous.
As shown on Roster Resource, the Titans currently have wide receivers Rishard Matthews, Tajae Sharpe, Kendall Wright, Dorial Green-Beckham, Harry Douglas, Justin Hunter, Tre McBride, and Andrew Turzilli (suspended for the first four games of the season) on the 90-man roster.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Jurrell Casey's Contract Deemed Best On Titans
- Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com says Jurrell Casey‘s four-year, $36MM ($13MM guaranteed) is the best contract on the Titans. The defensive end finished last season with seven sacks. On the flip side, Fitzgerald writes that running back DeMarco Murray‘s four-year, $23.75MM contracts ($9MM guaranteed) is the worst on the team.
- Several of the Titans‘ offseason additions should benefit quarterback Marcus Mariota, writes ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky. The team added a pair of running backs (Murray and rookie Derrick Henry), a pair of wideouts (Rishard Matthews and rookie Tajae Sharpe), offensive lineman Jack Conklin, and offensive line coach (and Hall of Famer) Russ Grimm.
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Titans Could Be Seeking Tight End Depth
- After Delanie Walker, Craig Stevens, and Anthony Fasano, the Titans could keep up to two additional tight ends, writes Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com. Phillip Supernaw is currently slotted as the team’s fourth tight end, but Wyatt notes that the team will be eyeing the waiver wire for reinforcement.
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Titans Sign Rookie Kevin Byard
The Titans have, finally, wrapped up their 2016 draft class. Today, the Titans and third-round safety Kevin Byard agreed to terms on a contract, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
Recently, scouting analyst Dave-Te Thomas ran down the Titans’ 2016 draft class for PFR and had positive things to say about Byard, who he believes can make an impact right out of the gate:
“Ever since LeBeau became a coordinator, he has surrounded himself with smart, instinctive safeties. Last year, the Titans made a great move by securing the services of former Bills strong safety Da’Norris Searcy. Now, in Byard, they believe they have a ball-hawk free safety to pair with to Searcy’s hard-hitting style. Byard has nineteen interceptions to show for those ball-hawking skills at MTSU, but despite his pedigree and fine performances in practice at the 2016 Senior Bowl, he was not invited to this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. The Titans realized what he can offer, as he not only set the school all-time theft mark, but also returned those interceptions for 377 yards and four touchdowns.
Byard’s arrival does not mean he will be the instant starter at free safety, which is where Arizona castoff Rashad Johnson resides. His versatility (he played every secondary position in college) will see him be called upon to play the slot corner spot in passing situations and he could also be utilized as a Cover-2 linebacker vs. the run. All that stands in his way for playing time is a challenge from veteran Marqueston Huff, along with Daimion Stafford and Lamarcus Brutus for the two safety spots on the second unit.”
Here is the complete rundown of the Titans’ 2016 class:
- 1-8: Jack Conklin, T (Michigan State)
- 2-33: Kevin Dodd, DE/OLB (Clemson)
- 2-43: Austin Johnson, DL (Penn State)
- 2-45: Derrick Henry, RB (Alabama)
- 3-64: Kevin Byard, DB (Middle Tennessee State)
- 5-140: Tajae Sharpe, WR (Massachusetts)
- 5-157: LeShaun Sims, CB (Southern Utah)
- 6-193: Sebastian Tretola, OL (Arkansas)
- 7-222: Aaron Wallace, LB (UCLA)
- 7-253: Kalan Reed, DB (Southern Mississippi)
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Latest On Taylor Lewan, Jack Conklin
- Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan is exhibiting a new level of maturity, and head coach Mike Mularkey has noticed the change, as Terry McCormick of TitansInsider.com writes. Meanwhile, Mularkey said that eighth overall pick Jack Conklin‘s development on the right side has gone “smoothly,” according to John Glennon the Tennessean. PFR recently took its own look at Conklin and the other Titans first-year players in our Impact Rookies segment.
Derrick Morgan Vocal Advocate Of Cannabis Research
- Titans OLB Derrick Morgan has joined free agent offensive tackle Eugene Monroe as a vocal supporter of increased cannabis research, as Ben Volin of The Boston Globe (citing USA Today) writes. Morgan did multiple interviews last week calling for the NFL to support cannabis research to determine if cannabidiol or any other compounds can help treat or prevent chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Morgan is entering the second year of a four-year, $27MM he inked with Tennessee last March.
Titans Made Matt Cassel a Priority
- The Titans made quarterback Matt Cassel a priority in free agency, writes Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com. General manager Jon Robinson and coach Mike Mularkey were both fans, and Robinson was familiar with Cassell due to their Patriots roots.
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