2023 Tennessee Titans Training Camp Preview
The Titans were rumored to make some major changes this off-season, but those changes didn’t come. Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill are both still with the team, and they didn’t make any major moves. Tennessee cleared a ton of cap space but also lost some important veterans. They lost starters like David Long Jr. and Nate Davis in free agency, and other veterans like Bud Dupree and Robert Woods. What doors does Tennessee’s offseason open for next season? What are the most important battles heading into training camp? And who are the players most likely to break out for Tennessee next season? Let’s break it down.
Position Battles
Wide Receiver: Open Competition
Treylon Burks and Kyle Phillips are the only receivers in the open competition that have positions on the depth chart solidified. Burks comes in as the number one, and Phillips comes in as the slot receiver. Everything, and I mean everything else is up for grabs. To put in perspective how raw Tennessee’s receiving room is, 8th-year man Chris Moore is the only wideout to have an individual season eclipsing 500 yards. The other wide receivers battling for positioning on the depth chart and spots on the team are Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Racey McMath, Colton Dowell, Mason Kinsey, Reggie Roberson, Jacob Copeland, Gavin Holmes, Tre’Shaun Harrison, and Kearis Jackson. Unless the team makes some veteran signings soon, four additional wideouts to Burks and Phillips will likely make the final roster. Tennessee should probably explore signing DeAndre Hopkins, but I doubt he’d want to catch passes from Tannehill. Considering they dealt away one of the best receivers in football in A.J. Brown, this is a sad fall from grace.
Back-Up Quarterback: Will Levis vs. Malik Willis
The Titans have invested a lot in long-term quarterbacks over the past two drafts. Both Malik Willis and Will Levis were projected first-round picks heading into their drafts and Tennessee wasted no time selecting the sliding quarterbacks. Levis is probably the higher-priority quarterback considering he was drafted earlier, and Willis struggled on the field last season. Still, both quarterbacks have a ton of upside because of their cannon arms. Levis and Willis will compete head-to-head for the backup position in pre-season, but their battle could have larger implications if Ryan Tannehill falters during the season.
Inside Linebacker: Rice vs. Gibbens vs. Gifford vs. Niemann vs. Campbell
Tennessee’s starting linebacker spot has been secured with the signing of Azeez Al-Shaair, but the second interior spot is still up for grabs. Monty Rice is the current favorite to lock the job up as he started six games last season, but it’s still up in the air. Another linebacker in the mix is a great run defender in Jack Gibbens. Gibbens appeared in five games as a rookie last season and notched 28 total tackles and an interception. Also in the competition are Luke Gifford, Ben Niemann, and Chance Campbell.
Breakout Player: Treylon Burks
Good lord I hope it’s Treylon Burks or Tennessee fans will likely suffer through another season with an abysmal passing attack every Sunday. Tennessee ranked as the third-worst passing attack in football and the fifth-worst-scoring offense in football. They desperately need Burks to break out as they have one of the worst receiving corps in the NFL. Burks had his rookie season cut short by a concussion but proved himself as a more than capable number one. He racked up 444 yards on 33 catches with one touchdown in 11 games last season. At 6-foot-3 he’s a physical mismatch for smaller corners and still has the speed for big play ability.
Rookie to Watch: Peter Skoronski
Peter Skoronski was one of the most highly touted offensive linemen in this year’s draft class. To replenish their offensive line, the Titans drafted the Northwestern product 11th overall. Skoronski will immediately get an opportunity to prove himself as a rookie, likely starting alongside Andre Dillard as the left guard. Last season, Skoronski earned the highest pass-blocking grade in all of college football by PFF. He also won the Remington-Pace Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year award. He needs to cut down on penalties, but Skoronski should immediately bulk up Tennessee’s pass protection.
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