Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Tennessee Titans ROSTER BATTLE: Young Linebackers FIGHT for Starting Role & Primary Secondary Threes

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Tennessee Titans have a major hole at starting linebacker, and I think second year player James Williams will be the one to fill it. That and more on today's edition of Locked On Titans. Tennessee Titans podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Welcome to the Locked On Titans podcast. I am your host, Tyler Rollins, Titans fans. Today's edition of the Locked On Titans podcast is brought to you by Game Time. Download the Game Time app, create an account, use the code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. On today's episode, we're going to take a look at the biggest roster battles

Starting point is 00:00:50 for the Titans on the defensive side of the ball. We'll talk about that second starting linebacker spot. We'll talk about that second edge rusher spot. We'll talk about the secondary and the interior defensive line, even sprinkle in a little special teams talk at the end of the show as well. Again, on yesterday's episode, we did the offensive side of the ball. If you missed any of that, go back, check that out, and get ready to go before rookie mini camp kicks off on Friday.

Starting point is 00:01:19 And on tomorrow's show, I'm going to be doing a full rookie mini camp preview. Before we dive into all of the roster battles on defense today though, do want to thank you for making Locked on Titans your first listen each and every day. Remember, Monday through Friday, Tennessee Titans content all year round, always for free. Make sure that you get subscribed, stay subscribed. It's your team every day. Speaking of every day, shout out to my every dayers out there tuning in Monday through Friday. Couldn't do it without you guys. If you aren't an every dayer, you need to be one because it may be the off season for the Tennessee Titans, but there's never an off season for the

Starting point is 00:01:55 Locked on Titans podcast. With all that being said, again, we got to talk about the starting spots available at linebacker for the Tennessee Titans, number one, inside linebacker. We know that Cody Barton was signed in free agency and then Kenneth Murray was traded out to the Dallas Cowboys. At first, when Cody Barton was signed, I was like, okay, Cody Barton has more of a versatile skill set than a guy like Kenneth Murray. So maybe Kenneth Murray can be that hammerhead shark linebacker, the take on linebacker, and then Cody Barton could be the sideline to sideline clean up linebacker, a guy who you could use a little bit more in three down situations in Cody Barton. Maybe that's the plan for the Titans. But then they trade Kenneth Murray to the Dallas Cowboys and

Starting point is 00:02:40 I gotta tell you, I love the move. I was never high on Kenneth Murray. It was one of the moves that I really didn't like that the Titans made last year and I got to tell you, I love the move. I was never high on Kenneth Murray. It was one of the moves that I really didn't like that the Titans made last year and I'm glad that they moved on from their mistake after one season. But you get Cody Barton in here and of course he is going to be linebacker one. Like I said, he has a versatile skill set. He's going to be able to play on all three downs, but the Tennessee Titans often will use two off ball linebackers, whether that be in their base defense, then under front with three, four personnel, whether that be in nickel on early downs,

Starting point is 00:03:13 where they have two linebackers and four down linemen and five defensive backs. Regardless, in most situations, they're going to have two off-ball linebackers on the field. They get into dime on defense and passing situations. They take a linebackers on the field. They get into dime on defense in passing situations. They take a linebacker off the field. They put a safety on the field. So you have three safeties, three corners, one linebacker, four D-line. Of course, that sort of personnel grouping is going to be something that the Tennessee Titans use depending on the situation. But again, most of the Titans packages on defense are going to have two off ball linebackers. So who was the guy that is going to play next to Cody Barton?

Starting point is 00:03:50 Who gets that role for the Tennessee Titans? Well, I look at the trio of young linebackers to me. It's going to be either Otis Reese who's going into his third year. It's going to be Cedric Gray, the fourth round pick out of North Carolina who's going into his second year, or it's going to be James Williams, the seventh round pick out of Miami, who's going into his second year. And if I have to pick between one of those three players, I'm going to go with James Williams out of Miami.

Starting point is 00:04:19 Williams has the best size of the group. Him and Otis Reese are both a little bit bigger than Cedric Gray in terms of their overall size and mass. And James Williams is a former safety, so I wouldn't call him a coverage linebacker. I think a forward, more physical linebacker is going to be his role in the NFL, but there at least is more coverage familiarity than maybe some of the other guys. Cedric Gray was billed to be somewhat of a versatile coverage linebacker. So I think if everyone was equal, Cedric Gray would be the best choice because Otis Reese and James Williams are more downhill, physical hitting

Starting point is 00:04:59 players. Cedric Gray is expected to be the coverage linebacker, but I don't know. I don't know. I don't know why it is. I can't pinpoint on it. I try to give you guys the most logic that I possibly can, but something about it. I just feel like James Williams takes the step forward this year. I liked his skill set out of Miami. I liked his size.

Starting point is 00:05:19 There he was more available in 2024. He played more often than Cedric Gray because Gray was dealing with the injury from training camp all the way through something about James Williams. I just feel like there's something in there. And I think when we talk about which of these three line, maybe the Titans say, screw it. We're going out and getting CJ Mosley. Maybe that happens. But when we look at these three young linebackers and which one I think takes that spot, I'm going to go with James Williams.

Starting point is 00:05:50 Let me know who you guys think takes that spot, but there's another starting spot open at linebacker and it's outside linebacker. Look, we so often say edge and that's what I say now. It's edge. Let's just talk about edge rushers because defensive end outside linebacker. The NFL is mostly played in nickel these days where you have four defensive linemen. So outside linebacker defensive end. If you're on the edge, you're on the edge. Everyone knows what it means, but at the end of the day for the Titans, they are

Starting point is 00:06:17 a three, four base defense. They're an under front team. An odd front team is what I meant to say. Sorry about that. They're an odd front team is what I meant to say. Sorry about that. They're an odd front team under and over is just positioning. They're an odd front team, five players, three, four odd front team. And in that you are technically an outside linebacker. If you're an edge rusher for the Titans.

Starting point is 00:06:38 So I think that it's clear that Arden Key is going to be a starting edge rusher. They like Arden Key a lot. I don't think that he's a starting level edge, but with the Titan situation, they don't have a better option. So Arden Key is going to be one of your starting edge rushers. But after that, you look at the next three guys. You have Lorenzo Carter, who was brought in in free agency. You have Draymond Jones, who was brought in free agency.

Starting point is 00:07:09 And then you have Femi Oladejo, who was drafted in the second round. And I personally, if you want to talk, if you want to ask, technically speaking. Who is the starting edge rusher snap one for the defense week one of the 2025 NFL season? My answer is going to be Lorenzo Carter. Lorenzo Carter is six foot five, 250 pounds, might even be 260 pounds.

Starting point is 00:07:37 He's a big physical edge setting linebacker. He's not good in pass rush. He's a guy who's had three sacks, I think total in three seasons. He is not a pass rusher. He is an edge setting, physical, run stuffing linebacker. And with what the Titans did not have last year and what Arden Key is not, and that's an edge setting run stuffing linebacker. I think you're going to need Lorenzo Carter out there on snap one down one to play against the run. But I will tell you this, out of these three players, Lorenzo Carter, Draymont Jones, and Femiola Degeo, I think it's Draymont Jones that plays the most snaps because he can play on some rundowns as an outside linebacker.

Starting point is 00:08:26 He could play on passing downs outside on the edge or inside as an interior rush. Draymont Jones's versatility gives him the upside to play the most snaps. So if you want to ask me who's out there on snap one, I say it's Lorenzo Carter. You want to ask me who plays the most? I say it's Draymond Jones. And of course, we talked about Femi. Femi is a developmental guy. He's going to play a lot more at the back end of the season. But I think early on, you got to lean on the veterans and give Femi time

Starting point is 00:08:54 to develop as a player. But with that being said, let's talk about the secondary. Do you want to let you guys know that today's episode is brought to you by Game Time. Look, Game Time is the best place to buy tickets. And right now, the NBA playoffs are going on and there is no atmosphere like an NBA playoff game. Every bucket, every defensive stop, every moment feels huge. It's electric in the arena. And with Game Time, you can be a part of it without the stress of last minute ticket hunting. Game time makes it fast and easy to get playoff tickets. And after those games on Monday night, woo man,

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Starting point is 00:10:01 Terms apply. Again, create an account, redeem the code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off download game time today last minute tickets lowest price guaranteed Titans fans. Let's continue today's edition of the locked on Titans podcast. We're doing defensive position battles to watch going forward. We talked offense yesterday. We talked linebacker edge rusher just a second ago. Now we got to get into the secondary because whereas there were starter roles up for grabs at linebacker in the secondary, it's all about depth.

Starting point is 00:10:53 Who will be the primary depth players in the secondary? So let's start with cornerback. So you have Ligeria Snead. Ligeria Snead is at off season activities right now. This set of veteran off season activities that is happening ongoing as we speak before rookie minicamp. Ligeria Sneed is in attendance. So hopefully that quells some people's concerns. Probably not, but felt worth mentioning. But you have Ligeria Sneed at the top, your number one corner.

Starting point is 00:11:26 Then you have Jarvis Brownlee Jr. on the outside. You have Roger McCreary in the slot. That is solidified. I think that I would go as far as to say that cornerback four has been solidified as well with Darrell Baker Jr. I cannot believe what's happened with Darryl Baker. The Colts had one of the worst cornerback groups in the entire NFL, and they get rid of Darryl Baker. He comes to the Titans as a waiver claim pickup and honestly had some great,

Starting point is 00:12:08 great games for the Titans. Is he a difference making X factor superstar player? No, but as a perimeter player in the Titans scheme where the Titans run a ton of man concepts on the outside, they run cover four concepts on the outside. They run a little inverted cover too every now and then where a corner will drop back and play a deep half. With all the different things that the Titans are asking their outside cornerbacks to do.

Starting point is 00:12:36 Darrell Baker actually did a lot of it very, very well. He was not a disaster out there. Like we had seen with like Trey Avery. You know what I mean? Baker replaces him and immediately plays better football. And when Snead was out for most of the year and it was Baker and it was Jarvis Brownlee Jr. and it was Roger McCreary, the Titans. Cornerbacks actually did a fairly decent job.

Starting point is 00:12:58 Okay. So Darrell Baker is cornerback four. I feel very, very confident in that and very comfortable in that. But what comes after that now? Now it's a concern. Now I am very, very worried after that top four because you have a bunch of players who are entirely unproven. Look at the cornerback position. You have Gabe Judy Lawley,

Starting point is 00:13:30 second season out of Tennessee. I had high hopes for him last year, stayed with the organization, more of an outside cornerback. Maybe he takes a step up. Then you have the draft pick Marcus Harris, who is more of a slot guy in my opinion, it's about five foot 10, 190 pounds. He's twitchy, he's athletic, good ball production in college, not the biggest, most physical guy. And I think there are some recognition issues and ID and coverage stuff that he's got to do. Some of the mental aspects he's got to get a lot better at.

Starting point is 00:14:01 He's a 24-year-old prospect. But regardless, Marcus Harris is a guy who could absolutely take that spot right behind Roger McCrary and be the fifth cornerback for the Titans. So that's my primary target at cornerback. I would say Gabe Judy Lawley if they want an extra outside guy. I would say Marcus Harris if they want an inside guy. But man, look at all of the undrafted free agent corners. The Titans brought in Garnett Hollis out of West Virginia, Jalen Kimber out of Penn State, Jamari Harris, who I think is out of Iowa, Virgil Lemons,

Starting point is 00:14:34 Clarence Lewis, Davion Ross. Like the Titans brought in six undrafted free agent cornerbacks to go along with a drafted cornerback. So they are clearly trying to find some young guys that they like at that position. And some of the younger guys who they liked last year, they've completely gotten rid of and totally revamped there. So very curious who gets that cornerback five position. If you're asking me right now, I'm going to go with Gabe Judy Lawley

Starting point is 00:15:02 because he has the experience and he can play on the outside. When you have Jarvis Brownlee Jr., you have Roger McCreary, both guys who can play on the inside. But if it's not that and the Titans want the slot, I think Marcus Harris, the draft pick, is the guy who actually makes it. But this is a position where so many things could happen and it's clear that they're not happy with what they had at the end of the depth chart at cornerback last year and that battle for cornerback five cornerback six it's going to be brutal now you go over to safety and you have a Monty Hooker you have Xavier Woods starting safeties Kevin Winston I'm gonna call him three. Now they'll probably bring Kevin Winston along slowly because

Starting point is 00:15:48 Kevin Winston tore his ACL in week three of the college football season last year. Now, again, I reiterate this point every time I bring up Kevin Winston because there are, you know, people who want to get negative. Oh, his ACL. He ran a 40 yard dash as pro day. negative always ACL. He ran a 40 yard dashes pro day. So that's even after the ACL tear and recovery is already running a 40 yard dash in a pro day.

Starting point is 00:16:12 So I'm not as worried about Kevin Winston, but at the end of the day, the Titan should bring him along slowly. Make sure he's fully healthy. Make sure he's back to full strength, but I'm going to put Kevin Winston is safety three because that's eventually the case. So who's going to be the person behind him? Who's going to be the next guy? You got Mike Brown, who is a guy who I've always been higher on than other people.

Starting point is 00:16:35 The Titans bring in Mark Perry off waivers. The guy who comes from the new England Patriots, you still have Julius Wood, who is working with the Titans at the activities. He's a, he got a big feature in the tug of war video that they put out. And then you have Kendall Brooks, who's a undrafted free agent from last year, I do believe. But none of those names really stick out to me other than Mike Brown, who I've been pumping up all along. I think the Titans will want to keep five safeties. Julius Wood and Mike Brown would be my choice there, but when we're talking about

Starting point is 00:17:08 actually playing out on the field as a safety, there's no doubt in my mind that safety four is Mike Brown. There's no doubt in my mind. I think early in the season, the safety three will be Mike Brown because they'll want to wait and let Kevin Winston kind of get his feet wet and get ready to go. So Mike Brown will be the third safety week one want to wait and let Kevin Winston kind of get his feet wet and get ready to go. So Mike Brown will be the third safety week one, but I think this is a position safety where we could truly see the Tennessee Titans look to churn some things. We could truly look for the Titans to pick up guys off waivers, maybe make a small veteran swap trade, maybe, you know, look to make a bigger trade. No, they're

Starting point is 00:17:45 not making a bigger trade, but this is where I could still see them sign some veteran help where I could see them making a move. Safety is a position. I think they're going to churn quite a bit as we start getting into these activities, these OTAs and ultimately training camp is where the real churn is going to take place. But with that being said, we got to talk about Interior Defensive Line, which once again for another year, I hate the Titans depth on the interior defensive line. Plus, let's talk about kick returner. Before we do, do want to let you guys know that today's

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Starting point is 00:19:06 That's U-P-W-O-R-K.com. Upwork.com to connect with top talent and grow your business today. Titans fans, let's cap off today's edition of the Locked on Titans podcast. We're looking at the defensive roster battles. We talked offense on yesterday's show. We talked defense on today's show. Remember, tomorrow is going to be a rookie mini camp preview. We're going to zoom in, look at all the rookie class, guys that I'm looking to step up,

Starting point is 00:19:51 things like that. Now, do want to cap off today and we got to talk about interior defensive line. Before we do though, do want to thank you again for making Locked on Titans your first listen. For your second listen, check out Locked on NFL Scouting. You want to know more about the rest of the league. You want to know more about football. You could do it with locked on NFL scouting with the draft dudes. But with that being said, interior defensive line, once again, I hate the depth. Of course you have your top three, same top three that you had last year. You have Jeffrey Simmons, Tavandre Sweat, Sebastian Joseph Day.

Starting point is 00:20:20 Those guys can do a great job up front. Sebastian Joseph Day was an excellent signing as a depth guy last year. But outside of those guys, you have Abdullah Anderson. You have Keon Dre, Coburn. Those are your two veterans. And look, Keon Dre, Coburn has been a guy that while I'm not overly enamored by him played pretty well last year in spot duty at times. I mean, that backup defensive line got absolutely rolled in some games.

Starting point is 00:20:53 Think about the Colts game. Think about the commander's game. The backup defensive line got blown off the ball. Okay, but Keon Drake, Coburn had some good moments. Also, he's a mentor for Tevon Dre sweat. He's got it. You know, that was something nobody benefited more from the draft pick of Tevon Dre sweat than Keon Drake, Coburn, who now gets a job no matter what,

Starting point is 00:21:15 because he was a mentor for sweat at Texas and they got to keep his locker right by sweats. So Keon Drake, Coburn probably going to stick around. I can live with that, but Abdullah Anderson, not good enough. They brought in another spot. They brought in four undrafted free agents, Cam Horsley, Philip Bleedy, Isaiah Reikes, Devante O'Malley. Why would they bring in that many undrafted free agents? Well, the answer is because they hate their group. Same thing with the

Starting point is 00:21:50 cornerbacks. They hate the bottom of their group. They have nobody there. We need to bring in as many undrafted free agents as possible. One or two of these guys might hit for us, but I think that the interior defensive line, we can talk about who gets the spot after Keandre Coburn or whatever. I don't really care because the player that needs to win that spot isn't on the roster right now, in my opinion. This is, Interior Defensive Line is a massive area where the Titans need to add other players from other teams. It's a terrible group. And everybody said I was crazy for being so down on the interior defensive line depth last year, and then look at the Titans run defense fall off a cliff in some games.

Starting point is 00:22:29 So, they need much better players on the interior defensive line. We can talk about who's gonna win those battles, but what I see right now, I don't really care. Let's get somebody else in here. But, do want to spend some time on special teams. And we know that Kicker is gonna be Joey Sly, Punter is Johnny Hecker. All right. But what about return? That is a roster spot and a roster battle that may be the most heated of all of them.

Starting point is 00:22:59 Think about how many guys could potentially get involved in the returner battle. I mean, you have Jaquan Jackson, who, if he isn't able to figure that out, he's getting cut, which I think he's getting cut anyway, no matter what. Mason Kinsey has continued to buy himself opportunity after opportunity because he can be a reliable punt returner to catch the ball and get down. Okay. I think you're going to see Bryce Oliver maybe get some opportunities at that. James Prochet was signed as a free agent to be a returner. Chim Dike was drafted at the beginning of the fourth round and was cited for his returnability.

Starting point is 00:23:43 You go to the other side of the ball. You never know who might return. Amani Hooker is someone who's been involved in that. Can any of these undrafted free agent cornerbacks be a kick returner? I think it's a possibility. So, Prochet, DK, Jackson, Kinsey, who else? Like,

Starting point is 00:24:03 it's going to be a battle, folks. Julius Chestnut was a kick returner. Tajay Spears has done kick return, although I would not do Tajay Spears on any returning anymore. Also, Superman Mullins has been a returner. He's punt returned. He's kick returned. So I think that Kal-El Mullins is a guy that makes a ton of sense as a returner. There are so many options and the need is so massive that this is going to be an awesome position battle to watch throughout the off season. I cannot wait, but it's a big roster spot. And you know what? I'm going to go with Chim Dike. I think Chim Dike because they want to develop him as a receiver. He also gives them good ability there as a returner. I think he's the guy who ultimately wins that battle.

Starting point is 00:24:50 But again, Rookie Mini Camp kicks off on Friday. Full Rookie Mini Camp preview coming out on tomorrow's show. Can't wait to dive into all of that, but that is gonna do it for me today, folks. As always, I am your host Tyler Rowland and this Was locked on Titans

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Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Tennessee Titans ROSTER BATTLE: Young Linebackers FIGHT for Starting Role & Primary Secondary Threes

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