Tennessee Titans free agency updates: Derrick Henry news, top NFL players remaining
The NFL free agency window is open, and the Tennessee Titans figure to be one of the league's most prominent players.
Beginning at 3 p.m. CT on Wednesday, March 13, teams may begin signing free agents to contracts. But two days before that, at 11 a.m. CT, teams can begin negotiations. The Titans, possessing more than $80 million in salary cap space, are in position to be one of the offseason's most prominent spenders. Whether they use the money to retain players or go after big names from other teams, the options are there.
Prominent Titans such as Derrick Henry, Ryan Tannehill and Denico Autry are set to hit free agency, as are stars from across the league such as receivers Marquise Brown and Calvin Ridley, defensive linemen Chris Jones and Christian Wilkins, defensive end Danielle Hunter, cornerback Kendall Fuller and quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield.
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Follow along below throughout the week as the Tennessee Titans and the rest of the NFL navigate the early days of free agency.
9:00 a.m. Monday, March 11: Tee Higgins reportedly requesting trade
Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins has reportedly requested a trade, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. A Tennessee native who played the last four seasons with Titans coach Brian Callahan as his offensive coordinator, Higgins was set to hit free agency this year but the Bengals used the franchise tag to keep him for another year.
Higgins has 3,684 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns over four professional seasons, including a pair of 1,000-yard seasons in 2021 and 2022.
Bengals franchise WR Tee Higgins has requested a trade, per sources. Higgins loves Cincinnati and hoped to be with the team long term, but is disappointed that the team has not had any talks about a long-term contract extension since March 2023. He’s ready to move on to a new… pic.twitter.com/T0qy7uMu8n
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
Tennessee Titans free agency needs
The Titans' biggest needs are offensive line, cornerback and wide receiver. The team also could use help at inside linebacker and defensive tackle, and it needs backups at quarterback and running back.
Quarterback Will Levis, running back Tyjae Spears, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, guard Peter Skoronski, defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, outside linebackers Arden Key and Harold Landry, cornerback Roger McCreary and safety Amani Hooker are among the Titans' most prominent returning players.
The Titans own the No. 7 and No. 38 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft and can use those to add top-level talent and depth at key positions.
Derrick Henry and the NFL's free agent running backs
Henry has been the face of the Titans throughout his eight years in Nashville. He has rushed for more than 9,500 yards and more touchdowns than anyone in franchise history, made it to four Pro Bowls, earned All-Pro honors twice and won the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year award in 2020 when he eclipsed 2,000 rushing yards.
Coming off his fourth season in five years where he led the NFL in carries, Henry is 30 years old and entering free agency for the first time. The Heisman Trophy winner is a free agent at the same time as some of the league's other most productive backs, including Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard and D'Andre Swift.
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Top NFL free agents left
These are the top 50 NFL free agents left on the market for 2024, according to USA TODAY.
DT Chris Jones (contract extension with Kansas City Chiefs)
RB Saquon Barkley
S Justin Simmons
QB Kirk Cousins
DT Christian Wilkins
RB Derrick Henry
RB Josh Jacobs
OT Tyron Smith
DE Chase Young
DE Danielle Hunter
WR Calvin Ridley
LB Patrick Queen
LB Jordyn Brooks
DE Jonathan Greenard
DL Leonard Williams
OL Mike Onwenu
S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
WR Marquise Brown
CB Kendall Fuller
CB Stephon Gilmore
S Jordan Poyer
LB Bryce Huff
WR Gabe Davis
DE Za'Darius Smith
S Xavier McKinney
LB Devin White
OL Robert Hunt
LB Frankie Luvu
LB Lavonte David
DE Jadeveon Clowney
DT D.J. Reader
QB Russell Wilson (reportedly signing with Pittsburgh Steelers)
LB Bobby Wagner
QB Baker Mayfield (re-signed with Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TE Hunter Henry (re-signed with New England Patriots)
DE Shaq Barrett
LB Willie Gay Jr.
DT Fletcher Cox (retired from NFL)
LB Azeez Al-Shaair
OL Mitch Morse (reportedly signing with Jacksonville Jaguars)
OL Lloyd Cushenberry
RB Tony Pollard
LB Josh Uche
QB Jacoby Brissett
DB Quandre Diggs
CB Chidobe Awuzie
S Jamal Adams
CB Xavien Howard
DE Andrew Van Ginkel
Tracking the Tennessee Titans' free agents in 2024
Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair: Unsigned
Defensive lineman Denico Autry: Unsigned
Defensive tackle Ross Blacklock: Unsigned
Center Aaron Brewer: Unsigned
Running back Julius Chestnut: Unsigned
Long snapper Morgan Cox: Unsigned
Defensive lineman Marlon Davidson: Unsigned
Safety Terrell Edmunds: Unsigned
Kicker Nick Folk: Unsigned
Cornerback Kristian Fulton: Unsigned
Linebacker Jack Gibbens: Unsigned
Defensive end Trevis Gipson: Unsigned
Running back Derrick Henry: Unsigned
Offensive lineman Chris Hubbard: Unsigned
Defensive lineman Jaleel Johnson: Unsigned
Linebacker Joe Jones: Unsigned
Offensive lineman Corey Levin: Unsigned
Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting: Unsigned
Wide receiver Chris Moore: Unsigned
Defensive tackle Kyle Peko: Unsigned
Tight end Kevin Rader: Unsigned
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill: Unsigned
Guard Calvin Throckmorton: Unsigned
Safety K'Von Wallace: Unsigned
Running back Jonathan Ward: Unsigned
Tight end Trevon Wesco: Unsigned
Wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine: Unsigned
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @nicksuss.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Titans free agency updates: Derrick Henry news, top NFL players left
