NFL free agency sets up one young Tennessee Titans player to be a breakout candidate and household name for 2025 season
One Titans player that is poised for a breakout season.
NASHVILLE — The 2025 Tennessee Titans are going to be all about developing young talent and building for the future. It’s a steppingstone year in which Tennessee’s new front office is separating themselves from the decisions Ran Carthon made, particularly in free agency.
Mike Borgonzi has already traded Kenneth Murray Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys for a late round pick swap and released veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie. The Titans are clearing the way for young, unproven players to have an opportunity at stepping up.
Linebacker and cornerback or two of the positions where I expect the Titans to lean on young talent in 2025 and bank on their ability to develop players. It’s also where I think this season's biggest breakout candidate is at.
Titans fans, get ready to see a lot of second-year linebacker James Williams.
LB James Williams
Williams is a former safety for the Miami Hurricanes that was drafted in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft by Tennessee as a project with good athleticism. He’s 6-foot-4, 232 pounds and known for his speed, aggression and hard-hitting ability. It was an intriguing fit in Dennard Wilson’s defense and Williams was immediately moved to linebacker after joining the Titans.
Last season, Williams appeared in 13 games for the Titans, but really came on strong towards the end of the season and was finally able to get some run on defense due to a series of injuries. Williams made a combined 20 tackles in the three games he got defensive snaps in.
The Titans are going to rely on their young group of linebackers to step into a bigger role in 2025. Williams, Cedric Gray, and Otis Reese IV will all likely be competing for snaps. Williams is the most proven and reliable if that bunch. He's also the best compliment for Cody Barton, who the Titans signed in free agency.
An ideal fit to start alongside Barton is an athletic linebacker that can excel in coverage. Who better than a former safety to do it?
I’m not saying Williams will be getting All=Pro honors, but this is definitely a player that Titans fans are going to want to get familiar with. I think he will be one of the breakout pieces of the 2025 season and have a significant role in Tennessee’s defensive identity moving forward.
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