NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The first piece of the Titans’ offensive line rebuild is a veteran left tackle in need of a career restart. Multiple reports say it’s Andre Dillard.
Dillard was the 22nd pick in the 2019 draft. The Eagles grabbed him out of Washington State three picks after the Titans selected Jeffery Simmons, but Dillard never panned out in Philadelphia.
He started four games as a rookie, missed his second year with a torn biceps and started five as a third-year player. Eight of those were at left tackle, with one on the right while he’s also played some guard. Jordan Mailata, a seventh-rounder from 2020, passed Dillard and took the left tackle job in 2020.
Dillard missed an additional five games in 2022 with a broken arm.
In Philadelphia he was coached by Jeff Stoutland, the team's run game coordinator and offensive line coach, who's one fo the NFL's best line coaches.
Dillard is regarded as a high-quality athlete.
“He’s got very good size and athletic ability for tackle and guard,” Blake Beddingfield said.
While NFL Network reported the deal as three years and $29 million, it did not report a guarantee, which suggests that is a number favorable to the team. That and the structure will reveal more about the true value of the deal.
The Eagles listed Dillard at 6-foot-5 and 315 and he will turn 28 in October.
How much faith do the Titans have in the inexperienced Dillard? Could they have him fight it out with another veteran to replace Taylor Lewan as the starter, washing away the position as a heavy draft need for now? It's possible.
But they need a building block guy.
More likely Dillard is he a piece who will likely be the third tackle or a guard.
We won’t officially hear from anyone with the team about its plan for Dillard before Wednesday afternoon at the earliest, when signings become official. And they may not share much.
On the first day of legal contact between teams and player representatives, the Titans two biggest unrestricted free agents also struck deals.
Nate Davis is in line to join the Chicago Bears while David Long is on his way to the Miami Dolphins.
Davis will get three years and $30 million with $19.25 million guaranteed per Mike Garafolo. Multiple reports say Long got just two years and $11 million with no mention of the guarantee.
Free-agent Inside Linebacker contracts so far:#Bears Tremaine Edmunds: 4-years, $72M#Bengals Germaine Pratt: 3-years, $21M#Lions LB Alex Anzalone: 3-years, $18.75M#Bears TJ Edwards: 3-years, $19M#Dolphins LB David Long: 2-years, $11M
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 13, 2023
Miami got a steal.
It is a nice price for Long – if he’s able to stay on the field. He’s not played a full season yet and missed 12 games over the last two seasons because of hamstring issues.
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