Tennessee Titans Eye UFL Standouts Breeland Speaks and Juwan Manigo for Roster Upgrades
The Tennessee Titans are reportedly exploring potential additions from the United Football League (UFL), showing interest in standout players Breeland Speaks and Juwan “Sonic” Manigo. AtoZ Sports reported that Titans general manager Ran Carthon has been in contact with both players as the team looks to bolster its roster ahead of the upcoming season.
Breeland Speaks: Defensive Powerhouse
Source: The #Titans have been in contact with Breeland Speaks, the UFL Defensive Player of the Year 👀
READ: https://t.co/1Y9rf1gKMQ pic.twitter.com/Y7Bdqu1FXp
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) June 19, 2024
Breeland Speaks, the UFL Defensive Player of the Year, is garnering attention from the Titans following a stellar season. Speaks led the league with 9.5 sacks, a performance that underscored his dominance on the field. His achievements did not go unnoticed, with AtoZ Sports Nashville tweeting about the Titans’ interest on June 19, 2024.
Speaks’ journey to this point has been tumultuous. The former Ole Miss standout was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Despite showing promise, Speaks struggled to find a permanent home in the NFL, eventually landing in the USFL with the Michigan Panthers in 2022. His performance there, where he also led the league in sacks, set the stage for his success in the UFL following the merger with the XFL.
The Titans, having lost Denico Autry to the Houston Texans in free agency, are in the market for a defensive end/outside linebacker. Speaks has proven his mettle at the UFL/XFL level and is seen as deserving of another shot in the NFL. His addition could provide the Titans with a much-needed boost to their pass rush.
Juwan “Sonic” Manigo: Special Teams Sensation
Source: Tennessee #Titans have been in contact with explosive UFL kick returner @Sam_Phalen | @AtoZ_Payton | @onee3_
READ: https://t.co/RKC0FXwogV pic.twitter.com/V064fxb4wx
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) June 21, 2024
In addition to Speaks, the Titans are also eyeing UFL wide receiver and special teams returner Juwan “Sonic” Manigo. According to AtoZ Sports, Manigo, who played for the Arlington Renegades last season, is on Tennessee’s radar.
Despite the Titans’ depth at the receiver position, with stars like Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins, Tyler Boyd, Treylon Burks, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Manigo’s value lies in his return skills. This past season, Manigo finished second in the UFL in kick return yards (962) and fifth in punt return yards (123), showcasing his explosiveness and agility.
Throughout organized team activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp, the Titans experimented with various players at both kickoff and punt return positions. Rookie sixth-round receiver Jha’Quan Jackson was among the contenders. However, Manigo’s experience and performance in the UFL make him a strong candidate to compete for the returner role if he joins the Titans’ 90-man roster for training camp.
Titans’ Roster Moves and Strategic Considerations
The interest in Speaks and Manigo reflects the Titans’ strategic approach to addressing key areas of need while seeking value in under-the-radar talent. Speaks’ potential to revitalize his NFL career and bolster the Titans’ defense, coupled with Manigo’s special teams prowess, could provide significant benefits.
As the Titans prepare for training camp, the additions of Speaks and Manigo would not only enhance the competition but also bring fresh talent and energy to a team aiming to make a deep playoff run. The next few weeks will be crucial as Carthon and the Titans’ coaching staff evaluate these prospects and their potential impact on the team’s success.
