NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans' free-agent signings were supposed to help them take the next step after the team finished with a 9-7 record each of the past three seasons. Through five games, that hasn't been the case for the two highest-priced acquisitions.
Here's how the Titans' free-agent signees have fared, with a closer look at the two most expensive additions:
LG Rodger Saffold | four years, $44 million
Saffold's Pass Block Win Rate is 87.3% this season, which ranks him 111th overall. But he finished 27th overall last year. What's the problem been?
Bull rushes have been one problem. The veteran interior offensive lineman was victimized by Bills defensive tackle Jordan Phillips' bull rush that led to one of Buffalo's five sacks on Sunday. Saffold is known for his play strength, so seeing him get pressed back into Marcus Mariota is alarming.
It's not just the bull rush that Saffold is struggling with, though. Twists and stunts from the defensive line have been the main thing that has led to a muddy pocket for Mariota. It started in the preseason when the Steelers utilized a twist with their two defensive tackles to beat Saffold and center Ben Jones that helped Stephon Tuitt register a safety. Tuitt attacked Jones' outside shoulder from over the top of the right guard to get instant penetration while Cameron Heyward (over top of Saffold) looped inside.
The Jaguars employed their version of a twist with defensive end Yannick Ngakoue and defensive tackle Calais Campbell to sack Mariota in Jacksonville's 20-7 win in Week 3 over the Titans. Campbell attacked left tackle Dennis Kelly from the inside while Ngakoue crashed inside to get pressure and flush Mariota out of the pocket. (Animation provided by NFL Next Gen Stats.)
Phillips got another sack on Sunday by using a delayed stunt against Saffold and Taylor Lewan. Why is it a recurring problem?
"I am not quite sure," Saffold said Monday. "Of course, it's harder when you're trying to figure out with somebody next to you when it comes to the twist game, but it's fixable. There have been some times where we were able to pass off the twists well, but we had some coverage sacks."
Saffold said he plans to keep his head up and work through the struggles. He pointed to other players who have gone new teams and find success after initially struggling but admitted the team is going through growing pains now.
"For me, it's tough. I feel like I am letting my team down at this point. I am not used to this type of frustration. It's something that I am not going to blame on anybody -- my teammates, my coaches. The only thing I can do is come in here and try to not be too down. On Wednesday, I have to come in here with my hair on fire and go through practice with a different type of mindset."
On a positive side of things, Saffold has been a solid run-blocker and contributed to getting the rushing attack going. Saffold's hustle down the field to help Jonnu Smith on his 57-yard catch and run on a tight end screen against Buffalo is an example of the effort he's giving every play.
WR Adam Humphries | four years, $36 million
Humphries was brought in to make the Titans' offense more efficient, especially on third downs. Humphries had 14 third-down receptions resulting in first downs in 2018. He made his mark as a security blanket for quarterback Jameis Winston in Tampa Bay.
Through five games with the Titans, he's caught 15 passes for 142 yards. All five of his third-down receptions have gone for a first down.
The expectations are higher after Humphries signed the big contract to come to the Titans. He continues to be a tough player to cover. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Humphries is averaging 3.2 yards of separation on passes that have gone his way. That ranks 13th among wide receivers with at least 20 targets this season.
"Moving the chains is what I want to help this team do to win," Humphries said on Monday. "The more we continue to work, hopefully, I can get more opportunities to do that. I feel like we can improve in that area."
Penalties and poor execution have minimized Humphries' effectiveness as a chain-mover. Most of the routes that Humphries specializes in aren't as useful in third-and-long situations. He's mostly been a consistent pass-catcher for the Titans, but he dropped a pass that would have led to a third-down conversion against the Bills.
Overall, Mike Vrabel feels Humphries has been adequate, but the dropped pass was something he wasn't going to overlook.
"It's been pretty good when we've been able to be in those third-and-mediums, those third-and-6 or less when we can throw it to him underneath," Vrabel said. "Yesterday I think it had to have been better. There were some drops. We have to do better in that regard to continue to help the entire passing offense."
DE Cameron Wake | three years, $23 million
Wake is currently nursing a hamstring injury that kept him out of last week's game. Through four games played, Wake has 2.5 sacks. All of them came in the season opener against the Browns, one of which was a safety in the clutch.
The Titans seem to be carefully managing Wake's playing time in the hopes of making the most out of the times they have him on the field. Wake's snaps have varied over the first four games.
S Kenny Vaccaro | four years, $24 million
Bringing Vaccaro back was an easy decision. He joined the team late in training camp and immediately won the locker room over by his hard work and rugged play. Vaccaro is getting the chance to play both in the box and in the post as a single-high safety. The seventh-year safety is finding his way in Dean Pees' defense.
Vaccaro posted 28 tackles through five games after finishing with 58 tackles last season.