Current:Home > MarketsTitans fire sale? Kevin Byard deal could signal more trade-deadline action for Tennessee-LoTradeCoin
Titans fire sale? Kevin Byard deal could signal more trade-deadline action for Tennessee
View Date:2024-12-23 22:01:51
A fire sale may have just started in Nashville and, if so, it could threaten to turn up the heat all around the NFL.
Monday, the Tennessee Titans agreed to send two-time All-Pro safety Kevin Byard to the reigning NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles for the modest price of safety Terrell Edmunds plus a fifth- and sixth-round selection in next year's draft. Given Byard's production – 27 interceptions and 59 pass break-ups since 2017 – as one of the league's more decorated and cerebral center fielders, plus the fact he's under contract through the end of the 2024 season, that seems like a pretty modest return.
Yet if the NFC East leaders seem to be getting a steal, this might also be the Titans' way of signaling they're open for business ahead of Halloween's trade deadline. And if they are, the rest of the league could be in store for a shakeup.
Three more names to monitor?
QB Ryan Tannehill
He's been dealing with an ankle injury, and his 188 passing yards per game and 71.9 QB rating are career lows since he came to Tennessee in 2019. But, when right, he's an efficient, athletic, respected veteran. Tannehill, 35, is also in the final year of his contract. He could be a valuable insurance policy – or perhaps more – somewhere else.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Keep an eye on – Atlanta Falcons: They're atop the NFC South with a 4-3 mark, but QB Desmond Ridder leads the NFL with 11 turnovers and is near the top in questionable decisions. Tannehill was a Pro Bowler in Tennessee, when current Falcons coach Arthur Smith was his offensive coordinator.
WR DeAndre Hopkins
Like Byard, his deal runs through 2024. The 31-year-old Hopkins may no longer be a top-10 target in the league, but he still runs velvety routes and has Velcro hands. Whether as a WR1, WR2 or WR3, he could be a difference maker for any number of teams.
Keep an eye on – Los Angeles Chargers: The Bolts' attack hasn't been the same since WR Mike Williams was lost to a season-ending knee injury. Hopkins could quickly rectify that and do significant damage opposite fellow vet Keenan Allen for a team that seems to need a jolt.
RB Derrick Henry
Under contract with Tennessee for 11 more games, he could be the crown jewel of the deadline. The two-time rushing king's production is down – about 71 rushing yards per game – but so are his touches in light of the emergence of 22-year-old RB Tyjae Spears. Henry, 29, continues to show progress as a receiver, a skill he's rarely been given credit for, and his 4.3 yards per carry are in line with what he's done since 2021. He's not a fit for every offense, but the explosive plays and intimidation factor are still there.
Keep an eye on – Cleveland Browns: A guy who likes to line up deep on base downs, similar to injured Nick Chubb, Henry could stabilize and probably elevate an offense that seems to have a question at quarterback every week as Deshaun Watson continues to battle injuries. And given the quality of Cleveland's top-ranked defense, even a passable run game could be enough to help carry this club to postseason.
And unloading contracts set to expire after this season or next makes sense for the Titans. They've been in a spiral ever since the unfortunate – and apparently unrecoverable for former general manager Jon Robinson – decision to trade Pro Bowl wideout A.J. Brown during the 2022 draft. The AFC's top-seeded team in the 2021 playoffs, Tennessee is 9-14 since jettisoning Brown and is already mired in last place in the AFC South, 2½ games behind the Jacksonville Jaguars. And given the overall quality of the conference, a division crown may be the Titans' only viable path to the playoffs.
Probably wiser for rookie GM Ran Carthon and coach Mike Vrabel to get a long look at youngsters like Spears, receiver Treylon Burks and quarterbacks Malik Willis and/or Will Levis in order to chart a proper course for 2024 and beyond – while loading up on needed draft capital to restore this squad to contending status sooner than later.
***Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter @ByNateDavis.
veryGood! (49918)
Related
- Food prices worried most voters, but Trump’s plans likely won’t lower their grocery bills
- Céline Dion's dazzling Olympics performance renders Kelly Clarkson speechless
- Dwyane Wade Olympics broadcasting: NBA legend, Noah Eagle's commentary praised on social media
- Katie Ledecky wins 400 free bronze in her first Olympic final in Paris
- Insurance magnate pleads guilty as government describes $2B scheme
- Vigils planned across the nation for Sonya Massey, Black woman shot in face by police
- Honda’s Motocompacto all-electric bike is the ultimate affordable pit scooter
- Ryan Reynolds Confirms Sex of His and Blake Lively’s 4th Baby
- Shocked South Carolina woman walks into bathroom only to find python behind toilet
- Body found in Phoenix warehouse 3 days after a storm partially collapsed the roof
Ranking
- This is Your Sign To Share this Luxury Gift Guide With Your Partner *Hint* *Hint
- Drag queens shine at Olympics opening, but ‘Last Supper’ tableau draws criticism
- Antoine Dupont helps host country France win first gold of 2024 Olympics
- Olympic opening ceremony outfits ranked: USA gave 'dress-down day at a boarding school'
- Nicole Kidman Reveals the Surprising Reason for Starring in NSFW Movie Babygirl
- Olympic basketball gold medal winners: Complete list of every champion at Olympics
- Inter Miami vs. Puebla live updates: How to watch Leagues Cup tournament games Saturday
- Olympic opening ceremony outfits ranked: USA gave 'dress-down day at a boarding school'
Recommendation
-
Elena Rose has made hits for JLo, Becky G and more. Now she's stepping into the spotlight.
-
Andy Murray pulls off unbelievable Olympic doubles comeback with Dan Evans
-
Feds Contradict Scientific Research, Say the Salton Sea’s Exposed Lakebed Is Not a Significant Source of Pollution for Disadvantaged Communities
-
Sonya Massey called police for help, 30 minutes later she was shot in the face: Timeline
-
In bizarro world, Tennessee plays better defense, and Georgia's Kirby Smart comes unglued
-
Allegations left US fencers pitted against each other weeks before the Olympics
-
Paris’ Olympics opening was wacky and wonderful — and upset bishops. Here’s why
-
Is Christian Pulisic playing in the Olympics? Why USMNT star isn't at 2024 Paris Games