3 ways the Titans can fill an important defensive void

Three possible solutions to the Titans' green dot problem

Kenneth Murray

The Titans made some noise by signing former first-round pick Kenneth Murray for one of the linebacker positions. Murray has experience with the green dot, but he struggled to put together a stellar season in four years with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Murray is a three-down linebacker, which is a requirement for the green dot, but it's  fair to wonder if the added responsibility might hinder him from reaching his full potential in his first year under Dennard Wilson's tutelage.

Draft an inside linebacker

For months the Titans have been rumored to be targeting an offensive tackle and a wide receiver with their first two picks (7, 38). However, with the addition of WR Calvin Ridley, the team's draft priorities might have changed.

In a draft class without any blue-chip prospects at inside linebacker, the Titans could nab the top player at the position with the No. 38 overall pick. Edgerrin Cooper (Texas A&M) has received the most buzz at the position with his sideline-to-sideline speed and a mental make-up that has many convinced he would handle the green dot responsibility well at the next level.

Even if Cooper is off of the board by the time the Titans are on the clock, N.C State's Payton Wilson would be one hell of a consolation prize as one of, if not the most athletic inside linebacker in the 2024 class.

Signing FS Justin Simmons

While it's certainly not the norm, plastering a green dot on a safety's helmet is not unheard of. In fact, Carthon touched on this particular thought process.

"I've seen teams -- I want to say it was Eric Weddle, when he was with the Chargers and when he was with the Rams, he wore the green dot. So it doesn't necessarily have to be a linebacker that does the communication, it's just about finding that person that's going to be able to do that and still effectively do their job."

Interestingly enough, free-agent safety Justin Simmons has experience in this role. In 2021, Simmons donned the green dot following a season-ending injury to LB Josey Jewell. He's played under five different head coaches, as well as five different defensive coordinators, which makes the challenge of being the signal caller in a new defense less daunting.

The Titans have been linked to Simmons (30) throughout the free agency period, but have yet to make any tangible progress. However, Simmons would bring eight seasons of experience with 30 career interceptions to Tennessee following a 2023 campaign in which he earned his second Pro Bowl nod and Second Team All-Pro honors.