The regular season has come to a close, and most teams have already begun the complicated process of preparing for the 2023 season. In the coming months, we'll be covering the impending free agents most capable of shifting the balance of power in the NFL.
The Player: Taylor Lewan
A long-time leader and a three-time Pro Bowler, left tackle Taylor Lewan was a victim of the numbers game during the 2023 offseason. The Tennessee Titans cut their former 11th-overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft following an injury-shortened 2022 that saw him start a mere two games due to a torn ACL. Still only 31 years old, he could contribute for years to come if he can get healthy. Unfortunately, injuries are definitely a concern: he has appeared in only 32 of a possible 66 games since 2019.
The Fit:
Lewan was once an elite blindside protector/enforcer, and his recovery timeline may allow him to be available for training camp. He would be a worthy gamble for a team that finds itself with a desperate or unexpected problem at left tackle. He would also make sense on a hard-nosed, run-heavy team like the Baltimore Ravens or Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Contract:
The Titans cleared $14.8 million in cap space by cutting Lewan, so they clearly didn't believe he was worth that much. His age shouldn't be a major issue, but his injury history certainly is. He'll probably be required to settle for a one-year deal to prove he can stay on the field. Matt Pryor's one-year, $5.45 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts would be a fair benchmark, but Lewan's resume and name value could fetch him something closer to the two-year, $20 million deal Duane Brown landed with the Jets in 2022.
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