In an offseason that keeps on churning, Monday ushers in the option for all 32 teams to slap the franchise tag on players who would otherwise hit the open market come March 11.
Titans cornerback Alterraun Verner looms as the most logical target for Tennessee's tag, but that's no lock in Rocky Top. Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean reported Friday that he's seen no indication the organization will use the designation on their top cover man -- or anyone else.
Tagging Verner would cost the Titans around $11.2 million, a hefty sum to pack into a position group that already has $8.3 million allocated for Jason McCourty.
The Titans would like to re-sign Verner, per Wyatt, after the 25-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2013; Pro Football Focus ranked him the NFL's No. 12 corner. He spent most of 2013 ranked higher on that list, allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete just 49.4 percent of their passes against him, seventh best in the league. Just three cover men held signal-callers to a lower passer rating than Verner's 55.8.
The defensive back told Alex Marvez of SiriusXM NFL Radio last month that he'd love to stay in Tennessee but is "not afraid" to test the market. If he receives a mind-blowing offer, we don't expect the Titans to match it.
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