NASHVILLE Only days before the start of the NFLs free-agency period opens, plenty of questions remain about which members of the Tenne see Titans 2021 roster will be around when the team begins offseason work next month.It would be hard to find a position room with more potential for change than the offensive line.The Titans 33-year-old left guard Rodger Saffold and created $10.4 million in salary-cap room. Saffold had started 46 of 49 games for the Titans over the Ilya Samsonov Jersey past three seasons. But in addition to sitting out two full contests last season, Saffold mi sed significant portions of five other contests with injuries. He also allowed eight quarterback hits last season, per Pro Football Focus, Saffolds highest total since his rookie season of 2010.So, what does the Titans starting offensive line look like at this point?And what might it look like by next Wednesday, when the Titans can begin signing free agents?Heres a position-by-position analysis:LEFT TACKLE Starter if season began tomorrow: Taylor Lewan Why it might stay that way: The 30-year-old Lewan has held down the left side of the line for eight seasons, earning Pro Bowl honors from 2016-18. He had a bad start to 2021 upon returning from ACL surgery but improved as the season went on. His cap hit for 2022 is a big one at $14.7 million. But thats actually 12th-highest among left tackles in 2022, per Spotrac, so relatively speaking, its not an outrageous sum. The Titans could restructure the deal and save $5.9 million in 2022 cap space, per OverTheCap. The Titans next left tackle isnt on the roster at present, so releasing Lewan would turn that position into an immediate high-priority need either in free agency or the draft.Why it might change: The Titans could save $12.9 million against the cap by releasing Lewan, money that could be used to purchase other free agents or help extend current roster players. Though he did improve after a rough start last season, his Pro Football Focus grades overall offense (70.5), pa s-blocking (71.1) and run-blocking (64.0) were all the second-lowest of his career. He allowed four sacks and 22 quarterback pre sures, the highest hed given up in each category since 2017. Lewan has also mi sed 19 of a po sible 49 regular season starts over the past three seasons because of injury, 11 due to the ACL.LEFT GUARDStarter if season began tomorrow: Aaron BrewerWhy it might stay that way: Brewer was the next man up at this spot last season, starting both games Saffold mi sed. He saw at least 30 offensive snaps in eight games last season, so its clear theres an element of trust with the versatile Lars Eller Jersey Brewer. He totaled 252 snaps at left guard and 209 at right guard, earning a 62.6 PFF run-blocking grade.Scroll to ContinueWhy it might change: Just because Brewer is a valuable reserve doesnt mean he should be the next starter. The 2020 undrafted free agent is a hustler and a battler, but at 6-foot-1 and 295 pounds, is at times overmatched by bigger defenders. That showed particularly in pa s protection, as Brewer surrendered six sacks and posted a PFF pa s-blocking grade of just 48.7. There is a chance 2021 second-round draft pick Dillon Radunz winds up starting at this position, even though he was drafted to play right tackle. But Titans coach Mike Vrabel said at the NFL Combine that Radunz isnt ready to start at this point, so it would be no surprise at all to see the Titans seek a future starter in the draft or through free agency.CENTER Starter if season began tomorrow: Ben Jones Why it might stay that way: Theres plenty to like about Jones, beginning with his durability a hes started 96 of a po sible 97 games during his six seasons with the Titans. Jones has earned repeated praise Nic Dowd Jersey for his intelligence, leadership and toughne s in the middle of the teams offensive line. Jones 79.9 run-block grade last season, per PFF, was the highest of his 10-year career. His overall offensive grades for the last three seasons 76.4 in 2021, 78.6 in 2020 and 79.3 in 2019 have been the three highest of his career.Why it might change: Jones is a pending unrestricted free agent. So, unle s he and the Titans agree on a new deal before Monday, he will be able to test the market and po sibly sign with another on Wednesday. How much are the Titans prepared to commit in terms of years and money on a potential new deal with the 32-year-old Jones? Thats the question that needs to be answered. Jones wasnt as good pa s-blocking as run-blocking last season. Per PFF, he allowed 26 quarterback pre sures in 2021 four more than his previous two seasons combined and his 66.3 pa s-blocking grade was Jones lowest since 2013.RIGHT GUARDStarter if season began tomorrow: Nate DavisWhy it might stay that way: Ever since stepping into the lineup early in his 2019 rookie season, Davis has been entrenched as the starter here. He has played in 30 of a potential 33 regular-season games over the past two seasons, mi sing three last year due to a concu sion. Hes been a reliable run blocker the past two seasons, mobile and strong enough to succeed well in the teams zone schemes.Why it might change: Theres Nathan Walker Jersey really not much reason to believe a change is in the works at this position, even though Davis appeared to take a step back in the developmental proce s last season. He allowed five sacks in 2021, up from two in 2020, and posted a PFF pa s-blocking grade of just 49.5. Part of the reason for Davis regre sion may have been the fact his training camp was limited due to injury. The Titans hope Davis charts back upward again next season.RIGHT TACKLEStarter if season began tomorrow: David Que senberryWhy it might stay that way: Que senberry wasnt nece sarily expected to start in 2021, but emerged the victor in the battle for the position and wound up starting all 17 games. Vrabel has always loved the enthusiasm and competitivene s of Que senberry, even more so when he played so much in 2021. Que senberrys forte is the zone-blocking run game, which works well for the Titans. His PFF run-blocking grade last season was 86.5 in 2021, sixth-highest among all NFL tackles.Why it might change: Que senberry was not nearly as proficient in the pa s-blocking department as he was in the running game. Per PFF, he surrendered 11 sacks, most among NFL tackles, and his 12 quarterback hits allowed were tied for second-most among tackles. Que senberry is a pending restricted free agent, which means the Titans can control whether he returns or not and at what price. But does the team look at hi

Weighing Offensive Line Options:

NASHVILLE Only days before the start of the NFLs free-agency period opens, plenty of questions remain about which members of the Tenne see Titans 2021 roster will be around when the team begins offseason work next month.It would be hard to find a position room with more potential for change than the offensive line.The Titans 33-year-old left guard Rodger Saffold and created $10.4 million in salary-cap room. Saffold had started 46 of 49 games for the Titans over the Ilya Samsonov Jersey past three seasons. But in addition to sitting out two full contests last season, Saffold mi sed significant portions of five other contests with injuries. He also allowed eight quarterback hits last season, per Pro Football Focus, Saffolds highest total since his rookie season of 2010.So, what does the Titans starting offensive line look like at this point?And what might it look like by next Wednesday, when the Titans can begin signing free agents?Heres a position-by-position analysis:LEFT TACKLE Starter if season began tomorrow: Taylor Lewan Why it might stay that way: The 30-year-old Lewan has held down the left side of the line for eight seasons, earning Pro Bowl honors from 2016-18. He had a bad start to 2021 upon returning from ACL surgery but improved as the season went on. His cap hit for 2022 is a big one at $14.7 million. But thats actually 12th-highest among left tackles in 2022, per Spotrac, so relatively speaking, its not an outrageous sum. The Titans could restructure the deal and save $5.9 million in 2022 cap space, per OverTheCap. The Titans next left tackle isnt on the roster at present, so releasing Lewan would turn that position into an immediate high-priority need either in free agency or the draft.Why it might change: The Titans could save $12.9 million against the cap by releasing Lewan, money that could be used to purchase other free agents or help extend current roster players. Though he did improve after a rough start last season, his Pro Football Focus grades overall offense (70.5), pa s-blocking (71.1) and run-blocking (64.0) were all the second-lowest of his career. He allowed four sacks and 22 quarterback pre sures, the highest hed given up in each category since 2017. Lewan has also mi sed 19 of a po sible 49 regular season starts over the past three seasons because of injury, 11 due to the ACL.LEFT GUARDStarter if season began tomorrow: Aaron BrewerWhy it might stay that way: Brewer was the next man up at this spot last season, starting both games Saffold mi sed. He saw at least 30 offensive snaps in eight games last season, so its clear theres an element of trust with the versatile Lars Eller Jersey Brewer. He totaled 252 snaps at left guard and 209 at right guard, earning a 62.6 PFF run-blocking grade.Scroll to ContinueWhy it might change: Just because Brewer is a valuable reserve doesnt mean he should be the next starter. The 2020 undrafted free agent is a hustler and a battler, but at 6-foot-1 and 295 pounds, is at times overmatched by bigger defenders. That showed particularly in pa s protection, as Brewer surrendered six sacks and posted a PFF pa s-blocking grade of just 48.7. There is a chance 2021 second-round draft pick Dillon Radunz winds up starting at this position, even though he was drafted to play right tackle. But Titans coach Mike Vrabel said at the NFL Combine that Radunz isnt ready to start at this point, so it would be no surprise at all to see the Titans seek a future starter in the draft or through free agency.CENTER Starter if season began tomorrow: Ben Jones Why it might stay that way: Theres plenty to like about Jones, beginning with his durability a hes started 96 of a po sible 97 games during his six seasons with the Titans. Jones has earned repeated praise Nic Dowd Jersey for his intelligence, leadership and toughne s in the middle of the teams offensive line. Jones 79.9 run-block grade last season, per PFF, was the highest of his 10-year career. His overall offensive grades for the last three seasons 76.4 in 2021, 78.6 in 2020 and 79.3 in 2019 have been the three highest of his career.Why it might change: Jones is a pending unrestricted free agent. So, unle s he and the Titans agree on a new deal before Monday, he will be able to test the market and po sibly sign with another on Wednesday. How much are the Titans prepared to commit in terms of years and money on a potential new deal with the 32-year-old Jones? Thats the question that needs to be answered. Jones wasnt as good pa s-blocking as run-blocking last season. Per PFF, he allowed 26 quarterback pre sures in 2021 four more than his previous two seasons combined and his 66.3 pa s-blocking grade was Jones lowest since 2013.RIGHT GUARDStarter if season began tomorrow: Nate DavisWhy it might stay that way: Ever since stepping into the lineup early in his 2019 rookie season, Davis has been entrenched as the starter here. He has played in 30 of a potential 33 regular-season games over the past two seasons, mi sing three last year due to a concu sion. Hes been a reliable run blocker the past two seasons, mobile and strong enough to succeed well in the teams zone schemes.Why it might change: Theres Nathan Walker Jersey really not much reason to believe a change is in the works at this position, even though Davis appeared to take a step back in the developmental proce s last season. He allowed five sacks in 2021, up from two in 2020, and posted a PFF pa s-blocking grade of just 49.5. Part of the reason for Davis regre sion may have been the fact his training camp was limited due to injury. The Titans hope Davis charts back upward again next season.RIGHT TACKLEStarter if season began tomorrow: David Que senberryWhy it might stay that way: Que senberry wasnt nece sarily expected to start in 2021, but emerged the victor in the battle for the position and wound up starting all 17 games. Vrabel has always loved the enthusiasm and competitivene s of Que senberry, even more so when he played so much in 2021. Que senberrys forte is the zone-blocking run game, which works well for the Titans. His PFF run-blocking grade last season was 86.5 in 2021, sixth-highest among all NFL tackles.Why it might change: Que senberry was not nearly as proficient in the pa s-blocking department as he was in the running game. Per PFF, he surrendered 11 sacks, most among NFL tackles, and his 12 quarterback hits allowed were tied for second-most among tackles. Que senberry is a pending restricted free agent, which means the Titans can control whether he returns or not and at what price. But does the team look at hi