The Tennessee Titans traded their two best defenders before the NFL trade deadline but held on to receiver Calvin Ridley, and a Sports Illustrated Titans writer graded each decision.
Writing for SI's Titans site, Dharya Sharma said trading All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears on Oct. 29 was a tough pill to swallow, but Tennessee received a solid return: 2027 first- and fourth-round picks and a 2028 first-rounder. He said if general manager Mike Borgonzi's front office hits on those picks, the trade will lay a strong foundation. He added that it also makes sense for Simmons, a four-time Pro Bowler who can now chase a championship.
On Tuesday, the Titans sent safety Amani Hooker and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for a 2027 second-round pick. Sharma said Tennessee sold high on Hooker, who is tied for the league lead with five interceptions and playing the best football of his career. With the extra second-rounder, he wrote, the Titans have five projected top-100 picks in April's draft, according to Tankathon.
Running back Tony Pollard stayed. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Denver Broncos and New York Giants had interest. Sharma called keeping the 29-year-old an understandable move because Pollard has been the engine of the offense and is important to quarterback Cam Ward's development, even though he will be a free agent in the spring.
The disappointment, in Sharma's view, was Ridley. The 31-year-old receiver has just six catches for 91 yards in seven games and no longer fits Tennessee's long-term plans. Sharma said a recent incident at Nashville International Airport may have cooled interest, and that the Titans likely would have gotten only a late-round pick anyway.
Tennessee, 1-7, hosts the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
Sources: Sports Illustrated (Titans On SI); Tankathon