Tennessee Titans Rookie Scouting Notebook on potential breakouts and early impact players
The Tennessee Titans 2024 OTAs and Minicamp are a wrap and training camp is just a month away! It's time to take stock of the current Titans rookie class now that they have logged a dozen or more practices with their first NFL team.A to Z Sports had multiple staffers (myself included) on-site throughout Titans […]
The Tennessee Titans 2024 OTAs and Minicamp are a wrap and training camp is just a month away! It's time to take stock of the current Titans rookie class now that they have logged a dozen or more practices with their first NFL team.
A to Z Sports had multiple staffers (myself included) on-site throughout Titans practices in May and June to see these rookies up close and personal. Let's dive into what we learned, and which ones could be potential breakout candidates or early impact players for the Titans in the 2024 season.
Titans 2024 NFL Draft Picks
JC Latham, Offensive Tackle
The Titans could not have drafted a better blend of leadership, hard work, and talent with their first round pick than they did in JC Latham. He has been impressive all throughout rookie camp, OTAs, and mandatory minicamp. He just keeps getting better, dominating the 300-pound blocking sleds with one hand now, and stepping up leading by example as you can see in our post below.
Even though OTAs and minicamp may have concluded, Latham isn't going to be wasting any time at all. On the final day of media availability Latham was asked what he would do between OTAs and training camp. He shared that those around him and leaders he looks up to always recommend taking time off when it's given, but also:
"A couple of us guys on the team, we're going to go somewhere, travel 4-5 days…and then after that I'm just coming right back here to train."
He's been training hard for a month and a half already with the Titans, but he's only going to take 4-5 days off and then get right back to it at the facility. Latham wants to be great and it shows. That kind of mentality heading into training camp is going to set a powerful tone for the rest of the team as Latham kicks off his rookie year as the team's starting left tackle.
T'Vondre Sweat, Defensive Tackle
Unfortunately we didn't get to see much of T'Vondre Sweat in OTAs or minicamp as he sustained a minor injury and did not participate on field much at all. However, the second round pick and monster of a man is anticipated to be ready for training camp. Brian Callahan had this to say when asked about Sweat as camp concluded:
"It's just one of those things that sort of lingered on him a bit. Again, don't anticipate it being a long-term issue for us…but [we] didn't have any sense to rush him out not feeling perfect…he'll get his work over the summer…he's here working, and he's getting his work in…anticipate him being ready to roll.
T'Vondre Sweat should be an instant starter alongside Jeffery Simmons this season on the defensive interior. We'll likely immediately see Sweat plug in with the starters given his unreal size and strength combination. The coaching staff reiterated multiple times that there was just no sense in pushing Sweat back on the field too early.
Cedric Gray, Linebacker
The Titans need linebackers to step up this offseason, and one young stud already has been. Cedric Gray has been learning quickly, syncing up with Jack Gibbens to get better and prepare to be a potential starter early for the Titans. During minicamp Gray broke up multiple passes over the middle, and was always close to the ball.
Pair of late round rookies standing out at Tennessee Titans minicamp who could make an early impact
Two young LBs standing out at Titans minicamp
I met with Gray and he shared what Titans can expect from him and a bit of his process in growing as a rookie, getting comfortable enough to step up into the leader that he is:
"My effort and competitive nature…When I first got here I was adjusting. I was a little bit more quiet, but that's not really me. I'm a very energetic guy. I love to compete. And I think you're going to see that in my play. And I think the more comfortable I get, I feel the more I'll come out of my shell…But I feel there's also respect that's got to be earned with that, with my other teammates, before I just start trying to lead guys and things like that…but I really do think that's my personality. That's who I am. I just think as I get more comfortable you'll see me coming out of my shell."
Cedric Gray was a team captain at North Carolina, a leader of young men, who led by example tallying over 360 tackles in his final three seasons for the Tar Heels. It's clear he understands his role as a rookie right now, but he knows he'll step up when the time comes.
Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Cornerback
When I talked to the Titans passing game coordinator about Jarvis Brownlee Jr. he talked about his physicality, and how that's stood out throughout OTAs and minicamp with him. That certainly makes sense given how unbelievably physical he was in college (as you can see in our very own James Foster's post below).
Brownlee likely projects to compete in the slot in year one for the most part, but he has the versatility to win outside at right or left cornerback as well.
Jha'Quan Jackson, Wide Receiver
The Titans top three wide receiver roles are locked in with Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins, and Tyler Boyd. However when I talked with Tyke Tolbert, the Titans WRs coach, he shared that Jha'Quan Jackson had been logging a significant number of reps with the first team any time some of the veterans were absent from practice. He shared that while Jha'Quan had spent most of his time in the slot receiver position so far, he also could play some Z moving creatively around the formation.
Late round rookie wide receiver continues to impress at Tennessee Titans minicamp practices
Versatility may earn this rookie multiple roles
Jha'Quan Jackson is almost certainly going to make this roster despite being a sixth round pick. He's been consistently working with both kickoff and punt returners on special teams and earning some first team reps at receiver too. Jackson is just too versatile to leave off the final 53 based off of what we've seen so far.
James Williams, Linebacker
When I spoke with James Williams at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine he was excited to land anywhere that would allow him to use his physicality and versatility. And that's exactly why the Titans likely drafted him. At 6'4", 232 pounds Williams is converting from safety to play linebacker, but can line up just about anywhere. Here he is talking through that transition with fellow Titans media member Turron Davenport:
Williams has been making some plays throughout OTAs, having no problem in coverage, and getting used to his new home at linebacker. Given the lack of depth at the off-ball linebacker spot for the Titans, there's a great chance he sticks.
Jaylen Harrell, Edge Defender
Outside of Harold Landry and Arden Key Titans return exactly zero edge defenders who grabbed more than one sack last season. The rotation at edge is still very much unsettled as training camp approaches, so Harrell may have an opportunity. Outside linebackers coach Ben Bloom spoke glowingly of Harrell when we met with him last week:
"He has a really professional and mature attitude. He's a really good listener, really detailed in the class room, takes great notes. And then out on the field, you can coach him, give him instant feedback, he can apply it, and really build on things quickly. Jaylen's done a heck of a job in that regard, learning the techniques and improving."
Harrell's clearly a quick study. And when I spoke with Harrell himself, he said that coach Bloom sas been great, and that the learning process has been easier than expected since Michigan's defensive scheme was quite similar to what the Titans are running now. Harrell could be a plug and play rotational option for the Titans early.
Undrafted Free Agents With Upside
Gabe Jeudy-Lally, Cornerback
One of the biggest surprises throughout OTAs and minicamp has been cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally, an undrafted free agent from Tennessee. Thanks to L'Jarius Sneed and Chido Awuzie missing some time Jeudy-Lally has slid in quite often with the first team, facing off against the best wide receivers on the roster and has impressed.
Titans surprise rookie named ‘a winner’ of mandatory minicamp
One Tennessee Titans rookie is making a big name for himself throughout mandatory minicamp.
There were multiple reps early in OTAs that Jeudy-Lally won playing physical at the line, often frustrating Titans receivers, even DeAndre Hopkins. The Titans are deep at cornerback now thanks to his ascension. He's going to make it tough for the Titans to keep him off the active roster.
Khalid Duke, Edge Defender
The Titans edge rush rotation is clearly still looking for players to step up. Rashad Weaver has truly changed his body and looks explosive. Jaylen Harrell has been learning quickly, impressing at times. Khalid Duke has too. He isn't the biggest, the longest, or the fastest, but it seems he's really improved his technique in just a few short weeks of action.
Tennessee Titans battle for snaps at edge rusher begins with OTAs and includes talented undrafted free agent
Titans edge rusher depth needs to step up
Jabari Small, Running Back
The Former Tennessee Vols running back is out to prove himself in camp after going undrafted this spring. When asked about his opportunity to learn from some running backs with a similar style on the Titans here's what he had to say:
"That's really the exciting part, just getting to learn from Tony Pollard. Somebody that's from Memphis that I looked up to…It's amazing to be able to learn from him as well as Tyjae…It definitely gives me confidence knowing that I'm same type or style of back."
Of all the running backs behind Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, Small does play with the most similar style and build. He's certainly firmly in the mix to earn the third running back role.
Dillon Johnson, Running Back
Dillon Johnson brings feature back size, incredible receiving ability, and strong balance to his game. All three of those aspects of Johnson have been on consistent display throughout Titans practices this spring. While he hasn't impressed with a ton of reps just yet Johnson will likely make his presence felt when the pads come on in July.
If Johnson does make the team and earn a role it will likely be thanks to his possible team-best receiving acumen. When I talked to Randy Jordan, the Titans RB coach, he emphasized the importance of receiving ability for the backs this year. And more specifically, Brian Callahan's offense likes the running backs to actually run routes. Johnson can do that well.
Tennessee Titans have battle between four running backs brewing for the RB3 spot heading into OTAs
Titans will need more RB depth this year
We'll be back with more on the Titans rookies throughout this summer. And be looking for more Tennessee Titans coverage here at A to Z Sports all year long! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
And if you want to watch some Jarvis Brownlee Jr. highlights to get excited about what he could bring to the Titans you can check out the video below!
