The Tennessee Titans still have plenty of roster sorting to do before August 30, when the team has to trim from 90 players down to 53. And with training camp and the preseason still ahead, there’s room for a few names to climb - or fall - in a hurry.
At linebacker, the picture already looks crowded at the top. Cedric Gray, Anthony Hill Jr., and Cody Barton are expected to hold down the first three spots, which leaves the rest of the group fighting for scraps.
That puts pressure on a player like Williams, who has flashed through his first two seasons as a physical, versatile defender. He does have a path, but it’s a narrow one.
Mohamoud Diabate brings more experience, while Dorian Mausi offers more on special teams, and both of those factors make their cases stronger. Right now, Williams looks like the odd man out.
Running back could get just as interesting if Tennessee decides to carry four. Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, and Nicholas Singleton are set as the top three, leaving Michael Carter, Kalel Mullings, and Julius Chestnut in the mix for the final spot.
Carter has the edge of familiarity with Robert Saleh, having played for him with the New York Jets for two and a half years, and he also brings real game experience. Mullings, a sixth-round pick last year, spent most of his rookie season on special teams.
Still, Chestnut has a strong case of his own. He’s been a key piece on special teams over the past two years, and if the Titans want another back, a versatile contributor like Chestnut makes a lot of sense.
Wide receiver may come down to whether Tennessee keeps six or seven. Carnell Tate, Wan'Dale Robinson, Calvin Ridley, Elic Ayomanor, and Chimere Dike are already in the room, so the final decision centers on the last one or two spots.
K.J. Osborn has the résumé and veteran experience to make a push, but Bryce Oliver’s track record in camp and the preseason, along with his special teams value, makes him tough to cut.
If the Titans go with seven receivers, Xavier Restrepo looks like the favorite for the extra spot. The Miami product turned heads during the spring, and his connection with Cam Ward could give him a boost when the roster calls are made.
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Titans Suddenly Have A Worrying Femi Oladejo Problem Again
Femi Oladejos first spring with the Titans was supposed to be about getting a head start on a major position change, but a hamstring injury kept him out of those practices and slowed the process before it really got rolling. The second-round pick is being asked to move from 3-4 outside linebacker to a 3-4 defensive end role, which makes every rep valuable as Tennessee tries to see how quickly his game can translate.
Robert Saleh said the real development for Oladejo will come once training camp opens on July 29 and the pads go on, which is where the Titans will finally get a better read on the rookies fit. For a player already trying to learn a new spot, the missed spring work only adds to the pressure to make up ground fast when camp begins. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Finally Enter Camp Without Their Biggest Cornerback Burden
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Sneeds limited time on the field forced the Titans to think differently about how they build the position, and the result is a roster that looks better equipped to absorb setbacks. Even if the cornerback room still has plenty to prove, Tennessee enters camp with more depth and a little less pressure to have one player carry the entire burden. [Read more 🡒]
This Under The Radar Titans Defender Suddenly Feels Too Important To Ignore
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Now the challenge is less about what Harrell showed than where he fits. He enters 2026 training camp fighting for a roster spot in a crowded edge group, with Jermaine Johnson, Keldric Faulk and Femi Oladejo all in the mix and Jacob Martin also potentially part of the conversation. Harrell has already made himself harder to overlook, but the Titans still have to decide whether that late-season surge was enough to carve out a real place in the rotation. [Read more 🡒]