Tennessee Titans OTAs: practice gift could provide clarity for key roster battles before minicamp and training camp

The Titans have opened up two more OTA practice sessions for media viewing, which allows for more storylines to develop beyond Carnell Tate’s rookie shine.

Austin Stanley Co-Founder, Host, Content Creator
Add as preferred source on Google
Tennessee Titans OTA schedule Robert Saleh Carnell Tate
A to Z Sports

It’s not quite Christmas in July, but the Tennessee Titans just gifted their fans and media to kick off the month of June with updates to the voluntary OTA practice schedule.

Titans public relations advised local media Tuesday that two more practices would be open to view and observations. Monday June 8 and Tuesday June 9 are now both open for local media to attend and report under the regular guidelines. Previously, only the June 11 OTA was open to media, and still will be with head coach Robert Saleh and select players to be made available.

The two new open practices will not have any player or coach availability, however, this should be considered significant for media and fans trying to learn more about this team full of new players and coaches.

Titans OTA storylines can now be developed with actual information

The previous two OTA sessions open to media (May 21 and 29) were fully dominated by rookie wide receiver Carnell Tate. The fourth overall pick from the 2026 NFL Draft has started to check all of the boxes that can possibly be checked at this point in the offseason.

Tate’s smooth route running style and highlight catches have naturally stunted other Titans storylines from developing. Not a bad problem to have. All eyes will continue to stick on how 14 builds upon his relationship with franchise quarterback Cam Ward, which also feels off to a good start.

Not only are their more practices to watch, we get to see back to back days and three practices in four days. That’s where competition and performance trends can be seen. It also allows us to not miss days where players take more reps than other practice days.

With now five more practices to observe before the summer break (three OTA sessions and two mandatory minicamp sessions) here are some other storylines that we can learn more about.

Interior offensive line starting jobs up for grabs

The Titans have three starters on the OL nailed down with Dan Moore Jr, (left tackle), Peter Skoronski (left guard), and JC Latham (right tackle). The starting center and right guard spots are very much open to competition.

Center names to watch and learn about heading into training camp: Austin Schlottman (free agent, New York Giants), Pat Coogan (rookie, 6th round), Jackson Slater (2025 6th round). This feels like Schlottman’s job to lose, who is following offensive coordinator Brian Daboll from New York. Coogan does have the mental upside to make a move to take the job, but that should not be expected.

Right guard names to watch: Cordell Volson (free agent, Cincinnati), Slater, Fernando Carmona (rookie, 5th round). Volson has the early veteran edge here, but I would think the Titans would prefer if either Slater or the rookie Carmona takes the job and runs with it.

Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears hold on running back opportunities vs Titans newcomers

Tony Pollard is the only NFL running back alongside Derrick Henry to have four consecutive 1,000 yard rushing seasons. While impressive, and consistently underrated, Pollard has to keep up his grind going into a contract year. The coaching staff loves his professional approach and his skillset. Spears is also in a contract year and needs to stay healthy to put together a productive season to build on the flashes of ability he’s shown in previous seasons.

Newcomers to watch: Nick Singleton (rookie, 5th round), Michael Carter (free agent, Arizona). Singleton, the Penn State product is ramping back up after his Jones fracture injury at January’s Senior Bowl. Carter played for Saleh with the Jets and has program familiarity and proven NFL ability.

Femi Oladejo’s development

Second year edge rusher Femi Oladejo has not been seen at either of the two voluntary OTA practices open to the media. Does that continue on June 8? The 2025 second round pick has a lot to prove as a broken leg robbed him of the last three months of his rookie season. Oladejo went through a position changes from inside linebacker to outside edge rusher as a rookie, and now has to make another tweak in Saleh’s defensive as a traditional 4-3 defensive end.

Marcus Harris’ lead on other competition for starting nickel cornerback

In the two open practices I liked what I saw from Harris, who is highly toughed by this defensive coaching staff. Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley has bragged about his physicality, and Harris looks like he belongs early.

Who is the competition behind him? Will it be another cornerback or a safety?

Outside cornerback depth behind high dollar Titans free agent signings

Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott headlined this free agency class in March and have high salaries and expectations. What about the guys behind them? Neither has gotten a tone of reps in team drills in May, which may be the plan.

Micah Robinson and Josh Williams look to be the first to get the opportunity to fill out the outside CB depth chart. I like Robinson, although he’s been on the wrong end of Tate highlights early on.

Is there a notable roster hole that needs to be addressed by an outside free agent?

There are plenty of capable veterans still on the free agent market waiting to find their best opportunity to present itself.

Positions to note for extra depth or competition additions: offensive guard, offensive tackle, edge rusher, cornerback.