Five players that need to thrive in Titans preseason opener
The Tennessee Titans will take on the Chicago Bears at Solider Field on Saturday afternoon for their 2023 preseason opener. When they do so, every player suiting up will be hoping to stand out. But for a few Titans players hoping to crack the 53-man roster, early preseason success is especially important. Here are five […]
The Tennessee Titans will take on the Chicago Bears at Solider Field on Saturday afternoon for their 2023 preseason opener.
When they do so, every player suiting up will be hoping to stand out. But for a few Titans players hoping to crack the 53-man roster, early preseason success is especially important.
Here are five Titans players that need to thrive in the team's preseason opener in Chicago.
1. QB Malik Willis
Malik Willis has showed noticeable improvement in his second training camp with the Titans, but I still have some questions about Willis’ development that can only be answered with gameday success.
Last preseason, Willis was benched by Titans head coach Mike Vrabel for not throwing the ball enough and being too hesitant. Willis did not show the ability to process and deliver the ball on time at NFL speed as a rookie.
While he is much more accurate and confident this time around, I need to see Willis prove he can pull the trigger and operate the Titans' offense efficiently. Willis also needs to demonstrate growth by hanging in the pocket and keeping his eyes down the field before turning to run.
If Willis can show consistency going through his progressions, his athleticism will become even more valuable.
While I’d be surprised if Willis was not on Tennessee’s 53-man roster, his spot is certainly not guaranteed. A big preseason showing would not only help solidify his place on the team this season, but potentially show Titans coaches that he deserves an opportunity to be the guy in the future.
It’s a big preseason for the 2022 third round draft pick.
2. WR Racey McMath
Wide receiver Racey McMath needs to have a really big preseason if he wants to make the Titans' roster. That starts on Saturday in Chicago.
This is now in McMath’s third season with the team, and up to this point in training camp, he has not shown enough development to make me believe he is going to make the team. McMath’s routes are far too inconsistent and he has really struggled with catching the football. For a receiver on the roster bubble, dropped passes are missed opportunities that cannot happen.
McMath's athleticism could be valuable on special teams, but I think he needs to show some real ability as a receiver over the next three weeks.
If McMath makes some big plays against a live opponent, his practice blunders become far less relevant. But if not, I have McMath on the outside looking in and his time with the Titans coming to a close.
3. CB Chris Jackson
Competition for the last few roster spots in Tennessee’s secondary is steep, and fourth-year cornerback Chris Jackson is going to need to bring his 'A' game to Chicago this weekend.
Kristian Fulton, Roger McCreary, Sean Murphy-Bunting, and Tre Avery are all ahead of Jackson on the Titans' depth chart. That leaves one or two more spots for additional cornerbacks up for grabs (I’m counting Elijah Molden as a safety).
There are some younger cornerbacks who have been really strong in training camp for the Titans thus far. Armani Marsh, Steven Jones Jr., and Alonzo Davis are three names that come to mind.
If Jackson wants to make the 53-man roster, he will need to show Mike Vrabel and the Titans' coaching staff that he is more experienced and more valuable than any of his younger peers.
That means covering well and making tackles when given the opportunity. Jackson failed to do that last training camp, and as Mike Vrabel said in his press conference earlier this week, it will be something the Titans look for very carefully during preseason games this year.
4-5. Caleb Shudak & Trey Wolff
Go figure. Both kickers in a kicking competition need to make field goals in order to win the job. Not exactly a profound statement, but true nevertheless.
While I favor Wolff over Shudak because of his leg strength and range, Tennessee’s two kickers have been relatively even so far in camp. Both have made majority of their kicks with very similar misses.
Those kicks, however, have come with nobody rushing them and absolutely no crowd noise. Whichever kicker is able to separate themselves in preseason games with consistent ball flight and accuracy will be the clear favorite to win the job moving forward.
Solider Field is not a fun place to kick, and it will be a good test for both young kickers. I'd expect both guy to get field goal attempts on Saturday, and while making your kicks may not guarantee you the job, missing your kicks could very well lose it.
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