Titans: 5 big-ticket free agents to consider signing

The Titans are projected to have more than $50 million under the salary cap this offseason.

It’s worth keeping in mind that general manager Jon Robinson declined to break the bank in free agency a year ago.

The most notable example was passing on cornerback A.J. Bouye, who left the Texans for the Jaguars for a five-year, $67.5 million deal, and went on to be named second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press this season.

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Robinson’s two largest acquisitions were cornerback Logan Ryan (three years, $30 million) and safety Johnathan Cyprien (four years, $25 million).

The Titans will eventually need to pay big money to extend left tackle Taylor Lewan, who is entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract.

But they have the means to make a splash when free agency begins March 14, if they desire.

Here are five big-ticket free agents the Titans could consider signing:

Malcolm Butler, cornerback

Jon Robinson already signed one former Patriots cornerback last offseason, and adding Butler to a group with Logan Ryan and Adoree’ Jackson would give the Titans three quality starters.

Butler, who turns 28 in March, will command top dollar. But he’s a rags-to-riches story, which makes him Robinson’s kind of player.

Butler, signed as an undrafted free agent out of West Alabama in 2014, owns two Super Bowl rings and sealed the victory against Seattle with a goal-line interception in Super Bowl XLIX.

Dion Lewis, running back

The Titans will be in the market for a third-down, change-of-pace back to complement the bruising Derrick Henry, should Tennessee move on from DeMarco Murray, and Lewis could fit the bill.

The 5-foot-8, 195-pound running back is powerful and elusive and has thrived with the Patriots, who picked the former Eagles draft pick off the scrap heap in 2015.

Lewis, who turns 28 in September, is coming off his best season yet. He had 896 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 180 carries last season, and added 32 catches for 214 yards and three scores, giving him more than 1,100 yards from scrimmage. He appeared in all 16 games and started eight, after numerous injuries earlier in his career.

Andrew Norwell, guard

Another player whose humble backstory, great work ethic and tremendous success would appeal to Robinson. Norwell, 26, was an undrafted free agent in 2014 and an AP first-team All-Pro last season.

Titans director of player personnel Ryan Cowden was a member of Carolina’s staff when the Panthers signed Norwell out of Ohio State, which also just happens to be head coach Mike Vrabel’s alma mater.

Both Titans starting guards are scheduled to become free agents (right guard Josh Kline is unrestricted; left guard Quinton Spain is restricted). Norwell would represent a tremendous upgrade.

Sheldon Richardson, defensive tackle

Richardson, 27, would boost the Titans’ pass rush and run defense. He’s capable of playing in multiple defensive fronts, making him exactly the type of versatile defensive lineman Vrabel would covet.

Richardson, the 2013 AP defensive rookie of the year, was traded from the Jets to the Seahawks before the start of last season. He managed a career-low one sack and 27 tackles in 15 starts in 2017. Seattle reportedly has interest in keeping him, but may stop short of using the franchise tag.

Sammy Watkins, wide receiver

Watkins, who turns 25 in June, has cracked 1,000 yards just once in his four-year career, which was sidetracked because of a foot injury in Buffalo.

But his immense potential remains unmistakable. He started 14 of 15 games for the Rams last season, catching 39 of 70 targets for 593 yards and eight touchdowns while playing under new Titans offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur.

While those statistics were disappointing, the yardage total would have ranked second among all Titans wide receivers and the touchdown total exceeded all Titans wideouts combined.

Reach Jason Wolf at jwolf@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter at @JasonWolf and on Instagram and Snapchat at TitansBeat.