With Hopkins and Jones gone, could Landry be the Titans' next trade chip?
In the 2018 draft, the 49ers urgently needed an edge rusher but chose to pass on Landry. Instead, they spent their first two picks on offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey (ninth overall) and wide receiver Dante Pettis (44th overall), even trading up three spots to snag Pettis after Tennessee selected Landry, the former Boston College standout.
Once Nick Bosa came in as the 49ers’ second overall pick the following year, those earlier draft decisions faded from memory. Still, looking back, Landry has made a greater impact in the NFL than either of the 49ers’ first-round picks that year.
After an injury wiped out his 2022 season, Landry bounced back with double-digit sacks, marking his second career high in that area. This season, heâs already at four sacks.
Landryâs explosive style and agility make him a dangerous pass rusher, but his $17.25 million guaranteed base salary for this season complicates any potential trade. If the 49ers were to pick him up, theyâd carry the remaining nine weeks of that salary.
Harold Landry is also set to earn $17.5 million in both 2025 and 2026, yet his consistent production could make the idea of restructuring his deal worthwhile for the 49ers.
Just because the Titans are actively selling doesnât mean they should trade every valuable player, especially as the team needs veteran leadership to help drive a future turnaround. Carthon has to find the right balance between acquiring draft picks and maintaining the teamâs culture.
If thereâs any player who fits the mold, itâs Harold Landry.
Landry is in his sixth NFL season and his second since a torn ACL took him out for all of 2022. At 28, heâs now in the third year of a five-year contract he signed in the 2022 offseason. With the Titans sitting at 1-6 after Sundayâs blowout against the Detroit Lions, trading Landry becomes an option worth considering.
Several contenders in need of edge rushers could be interested in Landry. Among the Titansâ roster, he stands out as someone Carthon might consider trading, provided the return justifies it.
Thereâs also talk of trading Jeffery Simmons, but this comes with a high risk. Simmons is the Titansâ best defensive lineman and a top defensive tackle in the league. Losing him would likely shake up the locker room, especially as heâs a strong leader on a team struggling with clear direction.
The odds of trading Simmons are slim, and the same goes for other newer acquisitions like Calvin Ridley, whose contract isnât favorable for a trade.
However, Landryâs situation is different. While heâs still a solid performer, he isnât the main anchor of the defensive line, and his contract is manageable. Given that heâs leading the Titans in sacks this season, Landry would likely draw some interest around the league.
The Titans would likely require a top-64 draft pick as a minimum trade offer, and they might even push for an additional selection. With several teams likely interested in Landryâs skills, the Titans should keep in mind his defensive value, whatever they decide.
Read More: Myles Garrett Trade Rumors: Could Browns starâs high price tag stall a blockbuster Bears deal?
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