The Tennessee Titans don’t have a camp full of wide-open starting jobs, but one of the most interesting fights may be hiding in plain sight at EDGE.
The obvious headline battle is at right guard, where Jackson Slater and Cordell Volson are competing for the starting spot. But the more overlooked competition could shape how the Titans line up on defense, especially with new head coach Robert Saleh planning to rotate his defensive linemen often. In that setup, “starting” at defensive end matters less than who gets the most meaningful snaps.
Jermaine Johnson II looks like the leading candidate to anchor one side. Tennessee acquired him in a trade this offseason, and his comfort in Saleh’s system from their shared New York Jets days gives him a clear edge entering camp.
The real question is who lines up opposite him.
Two names stand out: sophomore Femi Oladejo and veteran Jacob Martin. Martin signed a two-year, $9 million deal in free agency, a move that suggests the Titans believe he can be more than just a depth piece. He also has the Saleh connection, having played for him with the Jets in 2022.
Martin’s 2024 season with the Washington Commanders was quietly productive. He posted a career-high 5.5 sacks, and Pro Football Focus credited him with 45 quarterback pressures. That pressure total would have ranked third on the Titans last season, behind only Jeffery Simmons and Jihad Ward.
Oladejo, meanwhile, is trying to rebound after a rookie year that fell short and ended on IR. The second-round pick now has to show he can take a real step forward in Saleh’s system while carving out a role in Tennessee’s crowded defensive line rotation.
Johnson, Oladejo, Martin and first-round rookie Keldric Faulk all figure to see significant snaps at defensive end. How those early reps are split up will be decided in camp, and Martin versus Oladejo looks like a battle worth watching closely.
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What makes him especially relevant in Tennessee is the role he can fill behind Alontae Taylor and Cor'Dale Flott at boundary corner. Williams brings size, special teams value and the sort of flexibility that can help a coaching staff keep its options open if the camp competition gets tight, and the Titans will be watching closely to see whether he can turn that backup job into something more meaningful. [Read more 🡒]