Femi Oladejo’s preseason opened with exactly the kind of flash the Titans were hoping to see. On his first snap, he diagnosed a jet sweep, attacked it hard and finished with a physical tackle for loss that briefly swung some momentum Tennessee’s way on defense.
Since then, though, the tape has told a much less encouraging story.
Oladejo has struggled to turn his athletic tools into consistent disruption. When he tries to bull rush offensive tackles, backup linemen have been able to sit down on him and keep him from getting near the quarterback.
On stunts, his movements haven’t been tight or violent enough to create the kind of pressure Tennessee wants, and instead of squeezing the pocket, he has at times helped open space for the quarterback. There have also been snaps where he simply looks slow to process what’s happening in front of him.
That’s the frustrating part for the Titans: the talent is obvious, but the progress isn’t.
Oladejo looked like a player who should have taken a noticeable step forward after last season, when he was mostly a non-factor before finishing on season-ending IR. Instead, he appears to be in roughly the same spot, and that’s not where a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft is supposed to be.
Right now, the sophomore EDGE is sitting either fourth or fifth on the depth chart, depending on how Tennessee is deploying John Franklin-Myers. That’s a far cry from the level of impact the Titans expected when they invested that pick in him, especially with the tools he has to work with.
There is still a chance for Oladejo to shift the conversation. Joint practice against the Chicago Bears and the preseason finale over the weekend give him more opportunities to show something cleaner and more complete. But the window is closing fast, and if he wants to avoid becoming a player Tennessee starts thinking about replacing in the offseason, he needs to stack better snaps now.
There’s at least a path to optimism. Oladejo might look more dangerous working with a second-team defensive line and Keldric Faulk on the other side.
He just hasn’t had that setup yet, since the Titans have been resting Franklin-Myers in preseason games. It’s also possible that Oladejo and Faulk end up filling similar roles in Robert Saleh’s defense.
Still, even against backups, the expectation has to be more than what Oladejo has shown so far. NFL offensive lines are thin enough that a player with his profile should be able to make noise in preseason action. If he’s going to climb the depth chart and establish himself as one of Tennessee’s better young players, that turnaround has to start immediately.
In Other News...
Titans Just Unveiled A New Look Fans Can Rally Around
The NFLs final wave of rivalry uniforms brought Tennessee a fresh piece of branding to hang onto, and the Titans now know what their new Music City look will be. Built around a Titans Blue helmet, a script logo reading Music City, neon-inspired numbers and a 6-string stripe down the pants, the uniform is meant to lean into the citys identity while giving the team another distinct option in its closet.
Fans will not have to wait long to see it, either. The Titans are scheduled to wear the uniform once in the 2026 season, on Nov. 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and it will stay in the rotation for three seasons. For a team always looking for ways to sharpen its image and give its home market something recognizable, this one arrives with a little more style than the average alternate jersey. [Read more 🡒]
Wan'Dale Robinson Injury Scare Drew A Blunt Titans Response
During a joint practice with the Bears, the Titans got a brief scare when wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson left the field to be evaluated for a concussion after taking a hit from a Chicago player. It was the kind of moment that can quickly change the temperature of a practice, especially in a setting where both teams are trying to get work in without losing a key player to something avoidable.
Titans coach Robert Saleh did not hide his feelings about the play, calling the hit cheap. There was no reported scuffle afterward, but the reaction underscored how little patience Tennessee had for a shot that sent Robinson straight into the protocol conversation and put an otherwise routine joint session in an uncomfortable spotlight. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Have A Growing Concern Behind JC Latham And Dan Moore Jr
The Titans offensive line picture is getting clearer at the top, but the depth behind JC Latham and Dan Moore Jr. is still a real point of attention as roster cuts approach. Swing tackle has become one of the more competitive spots on the roster, and undrafted rookie Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson has given the staff a reason to keep a close eye on him after making a strong push in camp and the preseason.
Austin Deculus, meanwhile, has not separated himself in the same way and has dealt with a tougher run through the summer. With the 53-man deadline looming, Tennessee could still look for help after cuts or even via trade if it wants more certainty at a spot that can turn urgent quickly once injuries hit. [Read more 🡒]