In Lloyd Cushenberry, the Tennessee Titans are set to add one of the best and most dominant pass blocking interior offensive linemen in the NFL as a free agent stalwart at center.

The Titans are reportedly adding Cushenberry as their replacement for Aaron Brewer at center, a significant upgrade. Cushenberry only allowed one sack in 647 pass blocking snaps last year and has only allowed two sacks in the last two seasons. The former LSU center and third-round draft pick graded out as Pro Football Focus' third-best pass blocking center in 2023; by contrast Brewer allowed the third-most quarterback pressures of any center in the NFL last season.

Cushenberry missed time in 2022 with a groin injury but he's started every game he's played in since getting into the NFL.

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Here's The Tennessean's grade for the Titans adding Lloyd Cushenberry.

Why Lloyd Cushenberry to the Tennessee Titans makes sense

Simply put, Cushenberry is one of the best centers in the NFL. Brewer was an above average run blocker who graded as one of the worst pass blocking centers in the NFL last year. Cushenberry was a top-tier pass blocker who was roughly league average as a run blocker. As the Titans transition to an offense built more around the pass than the run, upgrading the pass protection is a huge move.

Cushenberry's regarded as an intelligent center who'll be able to provide a veteran presence the Titans lack on their line. Looking at the projected returning starters on the Titans' line, Cushenberry figures to be the Titans' most experienced blocker, and that veteran knowledge will also help as younger Titans like Levis and guard Peter Skoronski try to develop.

The negatives of Tennessee Titans signing Lloyd Cushenberry

There don't really appear to be many. Cushenberry had the one injury concern in 2022 but the issue didn't recur in 2023. While at LSU he was named a permanent team captain and was the first offensive lineman in program history given the No. 18 jersey, granted to the player who best exemplifies what it means to be a leader at LSU. He won't turn 27 years old until November, so the Titans have most of his prime to work with too.

Our grade for Tennessee Titans signing Lloyd Cushenberry: A

Don't overthink this. The Titans made a huge upgrade at center. Levis is going to have a veteran helping him in his first full season as a starter. Skoronski (and a hypothetical offensive lineman the Titans pick in the first round this year) will have a veteran to look up to. The offense got better. No one should be surprised if Cushenberry is good enough to merit fringe Pro Bowl consideration at least once in a Titans uniform.

Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @nicksuss.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Grading Tennessee Titans move to add free agent center Lloyd Cushenberry