Jason Wolf

jwolf@tennessean.com

Jon Robinson rolled up his sleeves and went to work in his first several months as the Titans' general manager.

Tasked with turning an NFL bottom-feeder into a club capable of competing for a Super Bowl, he mined several relatively low-risk, high-impact players from the free agent strata.

Wide receiver Rishard Matthews, center Ben Jones, cornerbacks Brice McCain and Valentino Blake and safety Rashad Johnson were all regular on-field contributors this season, and backup quarterback Matt Cassel had a significant role in the season finale and behind the scenes as the Titans went from a franchise that won five games over the previous two seasons combined to one that finished with a 9-7 record, its first winning mark since 2011, and just missed the playoffs.

After exceeding most reasonable outside expectations, the stakes have been raised dramatically for 2017. Anything less than an AFC South championship and playoff run will be considered a failure.

While it's prudent for Robinson to continue to find those diamonds in the rough, the Titans have the financial means (with more than $70 million in projected salary cap space, per the database at overthecap.com) – and perhaps the mandate – to pursue some of the biggest names to hit free agency this offseason.

Players with expiring contracts could re-sign with their current teams or be franchise tagged, and it remains unclear which players, still under contract, will be cut and hit the free agent market.

But here’s an early look at five high-profile potential free agents at positions of need that the Titans could pursue in March:

Alshon Jeffery, Bears wide receiver

The game-breaking Bears wide receiver played under the franchise tag this season, earning $14.6 million. Jeffery had just 52 catches for 821 receiving yards and two touchdowns this season, and was suspended four games for performance-enhancing drugs.

But he’d provide Marcus Mariota with a big target – he’s listed at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds – and a legitimate downfield threat.

Jeffery will turn 27 before the start of next season. He has 304 catches for 4,549 yards and 26 touchdowns in five seasons in Chicago.

Eric Berry, Chiefs safety

The former University of Tennessee star was named the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year last season after beating cancer and returning to dominant form.

Berry also played under the franchise tag this season, earning $10.8 million, after he and the Chiefs were unable to agree on a longterm deal.

Berry had a career high-tying four interceptions this season, returning two for touchdowns.

The five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All Pro just turned 28 years old.

Jason Pierre-Paul, Giants defensive end

Pierre-Paul was in the running for this year’s Comeback Player of the Year award before a torn core muscle required surgery and ended his regular season.

The former first-round draft pick, who mangled a hand in a fireworks accident in 2015, was a force against the run this season after signing a one-year, $10 million deal to remain with the Giants.

Pierre-Paul had a career high-tying three forced fumbles in 12 games this season, as well as seven sacks and a career-high eight passes defended.

The 28-year-old would need to switch from a 4-3 defensive front to Tennessee’s 3-4, but the Titans have made stopping the run a priority.

Prince Amukamara, Jaguars cornerback

Amukamara signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Jaguars last offseason after struggling to remain healthy in his first five years with the Giants.

The 6-foot, 201-pound veteran had 49 tackles and six pass breakups while starting 12 of 14 games this season. He missed the first two games of the season with a hamstring injury.

Amukamara will turn 28 before the start of next season. He has said he’d like to sign a multi-year deal to remain with the Jaguars, but their coaching staff has yet to be determined after Gus Bradley was fired.

Terrelle Pryor, Browns wide receiver

Pryor starred for the Browns this season, which isn’t saying much after the team won just one game.

But 77 catches for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns is quite an accomplishment, especially considering Cleveland's unstable quarterback situation.

The 6-foot-6, 240-pound receiver would provide a massive upgrade to the Titans’ relatively weak receiving corps.

And it's easy to imagine Mike Mularkey embracing the idea of adding the former Ohio State quarterback, given the coach's affection for trick plays.

Pryor turns 28 before the start of next season.

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Reach Jason Wolf at jwolf@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter at @JasonWolf and on Instagram and Snapchat at TitansBeat.