The end of the 2021 season left a bad taste for many Titans fans after the divisional round loss to the Bengals. As the Titans look to bounce back in 2022, the pre-season is a great way to evaluate young talent on the roster. I’m going to target five position battles that will help determine roster status & position. These positions are going to be critical to the Titans success as they look to rebound from 2021.
- Inside Linebacker
This isn’t an immediate concern for the Titans. Zach Cunningham and David Long Jr. will hold down the starting roles barring injury. The concern is with the lack of depth at this position. Look for Chance Campbell and Dylan Cole to battle for that third interior spot with Monty Rice being placed on the PUP list. This defense will be elite and deep in all positions outside of this one. Watch the inside linebackers and how they perform tonight against the Ravens run/pass game, because they’re team looking for offensive weapon depth.
- Quarterback
I don’t expect Ryan Tannehill to take a snap against the Ravens and potentially any this pre-season. This allows veteran back-up Logan Woodside and rookie Malik Willis to split the duties and get a lot of reps. Many are excited to see Malik Willis and will likely be the reason people watch the Titans pre-season games. But Willis is going to sit this year behind both Tannehill and Woodside to fully soak in what it’s like to run an NFL system. Regardless of depth chart position, it’ll still be very entertaining to see his natural athleticism and arm talent play in a competitive setting against opposing teams.
- Cornerback
Kristen Fulton is the proven veteran for this young corner room coming into this season. 2021 first round pick Caleb Farley is eager to prove himself after missing nearly the entire 2021 season. The 6’2, lengthy and talented corner has shown improvement and ability to stay healthy this year, and looks to be a potential starter. The Titans second round pick this year, Roger McCreary has been turning heads in training camp. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen stated to reporters last week that he doesn’t consider him to a rookie due to the poise that he plays the game with. I see both guys being big contributors in this secondary this season and taking this defense to the next level. With Elijah Molden sidelined with an injury, check on Roger McCreary’s reps at slot corner, a spot that he could fill in the starting line-up.
- Wide Receiver
I believe that 3 wide receiver spots are filled on this team already with Robert Woods, Treylon Burks, & Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. Kyle Philips, Racy McMath, Dez Fitzpatrick & Mason Kinsey are all battling for the final two or three receiver spots on the final 53-man roster. Philips & McMath have been two receivers that have impressed in training camp thus far. Philips is competing to play in the slot role and in the running to be a return specialist, something he did at UCLA. McMath has surprised a lot of people using his size and speed to also catch attention from the coaching staff. These two young guys must make plays throughout the pre-season to keep guys like Dez Fitzpatrick and Mason Kinsey, (who have also shown much improvement) off their heels. Regardless of how many receivers the Titans keep in a run heavy offense, this group knows the top 4 receivers will get nearly all the in-game reps. Making pre-season plays is a must to gain the trust of this coaching staff.
- Right Tackle
This is the most important position battle for the Titans coaching staff. Last year, Tannehill was the third most sacked QB in the league with the weak point being right tackle. Dillion Radunz was a second round rookie last season and was the favorite coming into camp. He only got one start against the 49ers last year and his performance didn’t live up to expectations. Radunz has been challenged by third round rookie Nicholas Petit-Frere out of Ohio State. It’s been a tight race in camp, and I believe that the two will push each other to solidify the right side of the line. Look at the pass rush on that side of the line throughout the pre-season to see who the week 1 starter vs the Giants will be.
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