TRAINING CAMP PREVIEW: INSIDE LINEBACKERS
In camp (8): Cody Barton, Cedric Gray, James Williams Sr., Otis Reese IV, Curtis Jacobs, Anfernee Orji, Amari Burney, David Gbenda.
Offseason developments: The Titans signed Barton, formerly of the Broncos, early in free agency. The Titans claimed Jacobs off waivers from the Patriots, and then claimed Burney (Raiders) and Orji (Saints), who starred at Vanderbilt of waivers. Gbenda, who played at the University of Texas, was signed as an undrafted free agent after the NFL Draft. Reese, who entered the offseason as an exclusive rights free agent, was signed to a one-year deal. The team did not re-sign Jerome Baker, Garret Wallow, Raekwon McMillan, or Luke Gifford. Gifford ended up signing with the 49ers. Meanwhile, the Titans traded Kenneth Murray to the Dallas Cowboys
In the spotlight: Barton. Heading into his seventh NFL season, Barton has been exactly what the Titans were looking for, and more, when they signed him in free agency. In offseason practices, Barton intercepted QB Cam Ward twice, while providing leadership for the younger players around him. A third-round draft pick of the Seahawks in 2019, Barton has started 43 games in his career, including 38 games in the last three seasons for Seattle, Washington and Denver. He racked up over 100 tackles for the third straight season last year for the Broncos. Over the last three seasons, Barton is one of only five NFL linebackers (Fred Warner, Tremaine Edmunds, Roquan Smith and Logan Wilson) to post 100+ tackles each season and total 5 or more interceptions over that timeframe. This fall, he'll look to be a productive playmaker in Tennessee.
Battle to watch: Cedric Gray vs James Williams vs Otis Reese. A fourth-round pick of the Titans in the 2024 NFL Draft, Gray missed a good chunk of time last year with an injury. A highly productive player in college at North Carolina, he's motivated to earn a starting job this fall, and he should get noticed when the pads come on. But, Gray has competition. Reese missed time during the offseason with an ankle injury, which hurt his chances. Williams, meanwhile, has made strides. More on him coming up. Meanwhile, Orji was a nice addition who is in line to make the roster, and help on special teams.
Keep an eye on: Williams. A seventh-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Titans, Williams played in 13 games, with one start, and tallied 19 tackles on defense, in addition to seven more on special teams, during his rookie season. A year later, Williams will enter camp more comfortable at a position he's still learning – he was a college safety – after an offseason when he emerged as a serious candidate to win a starting job next to Barton. At this point, I think he's trying to hold off Gray.
Next up: Cornerbacks
