Tennessee Titans: Will a Big Splash Be Made in Free Agency This Offseason?

It wasn't too long ago that the Tennessee Titans made a big splash in free agency by adding Matt Hasselbeck to lead them in 2011.

The Titans may be in need of another big splash this offseason. Upgrades currently are needed in a lot of areas for the Titans, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

There are plenty of big names out there, but the real question is whether or not the Titans are ready to shed that image of being extremely tight with their money.

One name that really jumps out is defensive end Mario Williams, who only played five games last season. The Houston Texans will almost certainly do everything they can to retain Williams, but he would obviously be a major boost to a weak Titans defensive line.

Another big defensive end out of the AFC South that will be a free agent is Robert Mathis. He's probably a bigger possibility than Williams, but it's still highly unlikely the Indianapolis Colts choose to let their best defensive player go.

It wouldn't hurt the Titans to go after another cornerback if they're ready to part ways with Cortland Finnegan, which is looking more and more likely by the day. If the Titans want to take a risk on a proven veteran, they could target the aging Rashean Mathis to lineup alongside either Alterraun Verner or Jason McCourty.

Heading into next season with so much youth at the cornerback position is very dangerous, so it would make a lot of sense for the Titans to get a veteran cornerback for a moderate price.

Outside of Mathis, there's really no big names out there at cornerback that will be a free agent this offseason. And with the NFL becoming a heavy passing league, the Titans have to make sure they're prepared in the secondary with a veteran in this area.

Adding another solid player on the offensive line wouldn't be a bad option with Jake Locker being the future of the franchise at quarterback.

The Saints are stuck in an interesting dilemma right now with two coveted free agents in Drew Brees and Carl Nicks. Nicks has been instrumental in protecting Brees, but the Saints most likely can't keep both. Since we know the Saints aren't going to let Brees go, it's a high possibility Nicks could be available for the Titans to add some much-needed protection for Locker or Matt Hasselbeck.

Free agency starts on March 13, with the NFL draft being just a month after that.

The Titans front office has a lot of work to do to build this team into a viable one to survive its gauntlet of a schedule that's in store in 2012.