Erik Walden cashes in on career year, signs with Titans

Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander garnered headlines for his breakout season at age 33, but 31-year-old Erik Walden had an equally remarkable 2016 season, and, after languishing on the free agent market until the start of training camp, will be cashing in with the Tennessee Titans.

Walden, who spent the past four seasons as a member of the Indianapolis Colts, will now be joining the sixth team he’s played for in his 10-year career. He’ll join Tennessee on a high note; his breakout 2016 season included a career-high 11 sacks, good for eighth in the NFL. He also forced three fumbles, proving to be more than a one-trick pony.

Initially waived by the Dallas Cowboys after being selected with a sixth-round pick in the 2008 NFL draft, Walden bounced around from Dallas to Kansas City, Miami, and Green Bay before joining Indianapolis on a four-year, $16 million deal in 2013.

Having totaled at least three sacks in every season since 2010, Walden has quietly accumulated 20 sacks over the past three years. He’s been a very durable player, missing just four games over the past six seasons and starting all but seven of those games played.

He’ll be a valuable veteran addition for an ascendant AFC South rival. The Titans produced a prominent pass rush in 2016, recording 40 sacks thanks to the presence of players like Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan. He’ll immediately beef up the team’s pass-rushing rotation and help relieve pressure from a rebuilding Tennessee secondary.

Walden is a win-now acquisition for a team ready to push its chips into the center of the table. The Titans rallied for their first winning season in five years last fall, and with franchise quarterback Marcus Mariota leading the way, are looking to win their first AFC South title since 2008. Tennessee has spent much of its offseason addressing holes in the receiving game and in the secondary, but adding Walden proves the club is focused on making its strong points even stronger this fall.