Who are the Tennessee Titans’ 2023 IDP buy or sell candidates?
After back-to-back AFC South championships, the Tennessee Titans took a hard dive in 2022 with a 7-10 record. The Titans’ run defense was first, while their pass defense was last in 2022. That came to a 23rd overall ranking in total yards allowed. Who are the Titans’ 2023 IDP Buy or Sell candidates?
Buy
Azeez Al-Shaair, Linebacker
David Long was the second-leading tackler for the Tennessee Titans in 2022 while playing in just 12 games. Another starting linebacker for the Titans was Zach Cunningham, who played in only six games due to an elbow injury.
Cunningham was released from the Titans just a few weeks ago, and Long has moved on to the Miami Dolphins. Another linebacker getting significant snaps was Dylan Cole, who has since moved on to the Chicago Bears.
Total Turnover… of Linebackers
The first new piece of the Titans’ linebacker puzzle was Azeez Al-Shaair from the San Francisco 49ers. There are nearly 300 total tackles left up for grabs by the departures of the Titans’ linebackers.
Al-Shaair has already proven, with the 49ers, that he knows how to tackle. He produced 44 tackles in just 9 starts in 2022, but was limited by Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw. In 13 games in 2021, Al-Shaair posted 102 tackles. He is an easy buy on my IDP buy-or-sell list for the upcoming ’23 season.
Al-Shaair should be the leader in the locker room and, if healthy for 17 games, should easily pass the 140 tackle mark for 2023. The Titans had the #1 run defense in 2022 and hope to continue that success in 2023 with their new player.
Al-Shaair will blossom under the guidance of head coach Mike Vrabel and defensive coordinator Shane Bowen. Being out of the shadow of Warner and Greenlaw won’t hurt either. Time to do a price check and obtain a soon-to-be top-12 linebacker. The 25-year-old has shown his worth in his first four years in the league.
Buy
Monty Rice, Linebacker
Monty Rice was drafted out of Georgia in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He started four games as a rookie and posted 36 tackles (17 solos), 1 QB hit, and a pass defended. Those are not bad stats at all for just 179 total defensive snaps for the year. Rice tore his Achilles in Week 12 of his rookie season.
He then missed the first four games of his second year. After working back in for the next five weeks, injuries hit the Titans linebacker room, and Rice got an opportunity to show he belonged in the mix. He started in Week 10 and played 54% of the defensive snaps.
In those 43 defensive snaps, Rice totaled seven tackles (four solos) and a tackle for a loss. He took it easy the next three weeks, playing just 30% of the defensive snaps.
Four Straight to Finish
In his four straight starts from Weeks 14-17, Rice played anywhere from 71% to 91% of the defensive snaps. He posted efforts of 5, 9, 12, and 13 tackles. In total, Rice produce 39 tackles (24 solos), 2 tackles for a loss, 1 QB hit, and a pass defended in those four games combined. He has earned his buy listing for my IDP buy or sell list. Rice will get a shot to start and will not disappoint. He might even be on the waiver wire in your league. Don’t hesitate to claim him now.
Buy
Jack Gibbens, Linebacker
Who is Jack Gibbens? He is an undrafted college free agent out of Minnesota. The 6′ 3″ and 242 lb made the active roster and waited for his chance to get on the field. Gibbens waited for 13 very long, patient weeks.
After playing seven defensive snaps in Week 14, Gibbens got onto the field for 33 defensive snaps in Week 15. He posted six tackles, with three of them being solos. This was good enough to get Gibbens onto the field for 48 snaps in Week 16. He produced eight tackles (four solos), one pass defended, and an interception.
Who Got the Start in Weeks 17-18?
Gibbens played 100% and 96% of the defensive snaps in those two weeks. He delivered 14 tackles, with 9 of them being solo. Gibbens is a sneaky member of the Titans’ linebacker room that could deliver substantial stats on a defense that has always been a solid run defense.
Gibbens is most likely on your waiver wire and worth considering whether he might fit in your ’23 plans. How deep your league is and how many teams will be final say so. Gibbens is definitely worth consideration, regardless.
Sell
Denico Autry, Defensive End
My one sell from my IDP Buy or Sell list this week is Denico Autry. He will be 33 years old in July and entering his 10th year in the league. Autry has had a great career after being undrafted out of Mississippi State. His first four years were with the Oakland Raiders. The next three years were with the Indianapolis Colts. His last two years have been with the Titans.
How Low Can You Go?
Autry just posted the lowest tackle number since 2015. This was after posting his lowest tackle number in five years prior. Autry is definitely showing his wear and tear of nine straight years in the trenches of the NFL.
He had four games where he posted zero tackles last year. That is 155 defensive snaps without a tackle. On the other hand, in week 15, Autry posted 7 tackles (5 solos), 2 tackles for a loss, 2 QB hits, 1 sack, 2 passes defended, and a forced fumble in just 43 defensive snaps. He also had eight sacks last year in the 12 games he played.
Use these positive numbers to make the sale. He still has it in him to be a very productive player sometimes. He’s just not very consistent anymore. His best game was against the Houston Texans and their very below-average offensive line.
Thank you for checking out my 23′ Team IDP Buy/Sell article! You can read all of my articles on my IDP Guys author page. Be sure to follow me on Twitter at @OldMan_FF and @IDPGuys (we have offense, too), and please consider becoming a subscriber!
