NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans trotted out their five newest players for their first media conversations in Tennessee.

Here are my first impressions.

Andre Dillard

The former Eagles first-round pick was pretty nervous. He’s clearly a soft-spoken guy, but he was even quivering a bit.

He said signing with the Titans was even more emotional for him than being picked 22^nd in 2019 when he was in Nashville and took the stage on Broadway to get a hug from Roger Goodell.

His mom was in Titans gear in no time and he was impressed with how quickly she got her hands on two-toned blue merchandise.

[Unlocked]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – With Sean Murphy-Bunting, the Titans are edging close to a complete front-line defense.

Provided the team and Kevin Byard get past an impasse, look at how the 12-man D with base and nickel permutations is shaping up:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Yeah, it’s a business and Kevin Byard is facing up to that.

But Byard has the right to be upset that the Titans want him to take a pay cut, something first reported by Mike Lombardi. Adam Schefter said it's left the sides at an impasse.

The Titans are looking at cap numbers they don’t like and guess who created those?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- I am not asking about your bracket, sorry. But pump up Princeton.

If you haven't heard or watched the podcast yet, it's mandatory listening/viewing. Here are handy links: Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts, TuneIn and YouTube.

There is so much on your mind regarding the Titans. I did my best to cover a wide array of your question in this beefy edition of the mailbag.

As I recall in your podcast last week, you mentioned the #Titans need to hit on their first 3 draft picks to be successful, which has me wondering:

When was the last time the #Titans did hit on their first 3 picks, and how often are other teams that successful with theirs?

— ⛪️🤍CHVRCHΞS Fans’Papa🤍⛪️ (@VaderJaws) March 16, 2023

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- When we look back at the Titans free-agent class of 2023, will we see a team that smartly grabbed players who didn't have full opportunity in their first chance that the team got at good prices?

In this week's edition of the podcast, I look at the five guys the team's agreed to terms with and consider just what they are getting.

The new episode awaits you on Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts, TuneIn and YouTube, which is below.

Whichever platform you prefer, please subscribe, rate and review.

Subjects I dive into:

💥 My strengthening feeling the team wants Andre Dillard to be its starting left tackle and how that affects what I am thinking about No. 11 in the draft
💥 Why Arden Key left the Jaguars
💥 Whether Azeez Al-Shazeer and Monty Rice can play next to each other
💥 How you need to choose between injury solutions or David Long
💥 Aaron Brewer's RFA tender as insurance against another roster hole
 

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who’s been a rotational piece in the Titans’ receiver mix for the last three seasons, stepped away from contract negotiations with the team to test the market.

The team didn’t offer him the tender of $2.627 million for 2023 as a restricted free agent (as reported by Terry McCormick) which would have given it the right to match an offer sheet from any other team.

In recent years the Titans have not been in position to tender many unrestricted free agents, as their players heading to a fourth year not under contract have not been particularly desirable. That pool has included Derick Roberson, David Quessenberry, Matt Dickerson, D’Onta Foreman, Josh Kalu, Jamil Douglas, David Fluellen and Tye Smith.

By MIKE HERNDON, columnist

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The first major signing of the Ran Carthon era is reportedly going to be former Eagles tackle Andre Dillard. The 22nd pick of the 2019 NFL Draft hasn’t had the career that was envisioned for him coming out of Washington State.

The book on Dillard coming out of college was that he was an elite athlete who excelled in pass protection but would likely need some work as a run blocker due to playing in Mike Leach’s Air Raid scheme for the Cougars.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – David Long was replaced within 24 hours as the Titans agreed to terms with their first Ran Carthon connection, Azeez Al-Shaair, the inside linebacker who’s been a piece of the 49ers’ strong defense.

Dianna Russini reported the agreement.

Al-Shaair will bring excellent speed to Nashville – something Mike Vrabel has emphasized he wants upgraded throughout the roster. The new inside linebacker will be 26 this season. The 6-foot-2, 228-pounder was undrafted out of Florida Atlantic in 2019.