Five 2012 NFL Free Agents the Tennessee Titans Need for Their Defense

There are two main issues for the Tennessee Titans" target="_blank" href="http://bleacherreport.com/tennessee-titans">Tennessee Titans this offseason. They need to get more pressure on the quarterback and they need to replace Cortland Finnegan. A jump from horrible to mediocre in the pass rush might be all they need to make the playoffs in 2012.

According to Pro Football Talk, the Titans have $28.1 million in salary cap room, a number that's bulged slightly thanks to the salary-cap issues of the Redskins and Cowboys. The team has the ninth most cap room in the league. That means the Titans can be more aggressive. Here's how.

Make a Big Push for Mario Williams

Rex Ryan made a statement when he and his staff personally visited Bart Scott after midnight to recruit him to join the Jets' defense. The Titans need to make a similar gesture to gain the attention of the number one defensive line free agent—Houston's Mario Williams. The Houston Texans are hamstrung by cap issues and won't be able to outbid the top suitor. In 2010, Julius Peppers signed for six years, $91.5 million with the Bears. Charles Johnson got six years, $72 million from the Panthers last year. The Titans need to be in that ballpark.

While signing Williams could cost the team half its available cap room, there is no substitute for the kind of player who will give quarterbacks nightmares and make offensive coordinators put a cot in their office rather than going home. He's going to help Derrick Morgan reach his first-round draft pick status.

This is one case in which buying the brand name is worth every penny. Make it so.

Retain Jason Jones

Usually it's a bad idea to retain the core of an underperforming defense. Jason Jones was miscast as a defensive end in Jerry Gray's scheme. Shaun Smith wasn't the stud run-stopper that the team wanted when he signed last summer. Jurrell Casey can occupy blocks and clog passing lanes. The defensive tackle rotation needs a disruptive force.

In four years with the team, Jones has only shown glimpses of his elite athleticism. Without Jones, the defensive tackle rotation is passable. With him, there's the potential for game-changing plays.

Two years ago, with the Eagles leading 16-7 and having a first-and-goal situation at the three-yard line, Jones practically took the hand off out of Kevin Kolb's hand, recovering a fumble. The Titans went on to win the game. It was the kind of momentum-shifter that Albert Haynesworth was capable of during his good days.

Jones won't be expensive to retain compared with the top free agents.

Re-Sign Jordan Babineaux

The Titans picked up former Seattle Seahawks safety Jordan Babineaux last summer as depth for Chris Hope and Michael Griffin. Not every free-agent signing is met with applause. Without Babineaux to take over when Hope went down with a dislocated shoulder, the defense would have been in peril. 

Re-signing Babineaux means that the safety duo from 2011 returns. Michael Griffin got the franchise tag and will be with the team for one more year. 

Note: The Titans have agreed to terms with Babineaux. He will be officially signed when free agency opens.

Sign Carlos Rogers

When the San Francisco 49ers signed Carlos Rogers last summer, he was considered a first-round bust pick by the Washington Redskins" target="_blank" href="http://bleacherreport.com/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins. All Rogers did was earn a Pro Bowl berth. 

After registering eight interceptions in six seasons with the burgundy and gold, he had six picks last year.

Cornerback may not be a priority for the Titans, seeing as they are making no effort to retain Finnegan. Rogers could produce like Finnegan at half the price, and while the young duo of Jason McCourty and Alterraun Verner has showed plenty of potential, it's always better to have three good cornerbacks than two. 

Add Haruki Nakamura

The final free agent is not a big name. Haruki Nakamura made his name in Baltimore Ravens" target="_blank" href="http://bleacherreport.com/baltimore-ravens">Baltimore by playing excellent special teams and backing up at safety. The Titans' depth chart is rather thin at safety, so Nakamura would be a great addition.

The four-year Raven wants an opportunity to start. With Titans re-signing Babineaux, the opportunity could be limited. As the team's primary backup at both safety spots, Nakamura would get on the field a lot and you can never get too many good special teams players.