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Titans Sign Shaun Phillips

Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos defensive end Shaun Phillips (90) in the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

NFL: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver BroncosTennessee signed veteran OLB Shaun Phillips to a two-year, $6 million contract with $2.5 million in guaranteed money. The move comes as the Titans continue to overhaul their defense under new defensive coordinator Ray Horton.

At 33 years old, Phillips is on the downslope of his career, but he still proved a reasonably disruptive pass rusher for Denver last season, notching 10 sacks. Phillips recorded 47 total pressures in 443 pass rush snaps, which is by no means an elite pressure rate. Still, the Titans add a productive pass rusher to their stable.

In 10 seasons, Phillips topped double-digit sacks three times and has tallied 79.5 sacks for his career.

There’s little clarity yet on exactly what Tennessee’s defense will look like in 2014. With Tennessee shifting to a 3-4, Phillips is expected to join a rotation with Akeem Ayers and Derrick Morgan. There’s a chance Morgan could play defensive end, though he’s better suited to an edge role. This move also likely spells the end of Kamerion Wimbley’s time in Tennessee.

With Von Miller on the sideline for a bulk of the season, Phillips was arguably Denver’s best pass rusher and was a viable fantasy option for stretches in 2013.

The move to Tennessee almost certainly means Phillips’ days as a fantasy commodity are behind him. In Denver, he got the DL designation, but as a situational outside linebacker, Phillips will be off the fantasy radar.

Fantasy owners in IDP leagues will be better served turning their attention to Ayers, who has shown a lot of potential as an edge rusher with a reasonably high tackle floor.

There are also a lot of questions yet to be answered with how Horton will deploy his inside linebackers. Wesley Woodyard appears the most likely candidate to see an every-down role, with Zach Brown the other potential starter. Former IDP standout Colin McCarthy could be on his way out under the new regime.

 

Editor's Note: Be sure to check out our new Mock and Companion Draft Tool! Utilizing our updated player projections, run a quick mock draft and see where this year's crop of free agents are coming off the board in early fantasy football drafts.


Jeff Ratcliffe is the Assistant Managing Editor and resident IDP maven of PFF Fantasy. 

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