The 10 biggest winners and losers from three days of Tennessee Titans Minicamp practices
The Tennessee Titans' three days of minicamp have somehow already come and gone. The team still has a few more days of OTAs next week, but the most significant practices of the offseason before training camp just wrapped up on Thursday. Which players stood out in good or bad ways from this week's action? And […]
The Tennessee Titans' three days of minicamp have somehow already come and gone. The team still has a few more days of OTAs next week, but the most significant practices of the offseason before training camp just wrapped up on Thursday.
Which players stood out in good or bad ways from this week's action? And who were the true "winners" and "losers" from minicamp practices? Let's dive in.
Titans Minicamp Winners
JC Latham, Offensive Line
There hasn't been a better example of "he's all that we could want and more" than JC Latham so far throughout OTAs and minicamp. Latham just continues to impress in every way. Whether he's battling his "best friends" (the blocking sleds) Olga and Bertha, staying late after practice, humbly carrying helmets for veterans, or dominating at the point of attack along the line of scrimmage Latham has shown to be truly special already.
He talked through his work ethic and what he learned from Kobe Bryant about working hard today as minicamp concluded:
Latham has been a huge winner this week at minicamp. Every single teammate and coach can't stop heaping praise upon him. He's winning reps, working hard, and already showing he's comfortable enough to step up as a leader despite being a rookie who won't play an NFL snap for another few months.
Gabe Jeudy-Lally, Cornerback
Thanks to the absence of L'Jarius Sneed on the field at OTAs and minicamp Gabe Jeudy-Lally has been given incredible opportunities to step up at cornerback for the Titans. He's shown he can win at the line of scrimmage against the best of the best on the roster, frustrating DeAndre Hopkins on multiple occasions, breaking up passes, and making incredible one-handed snags like in the video post below.
It's still early but given how well he's played–especially this week at minicamp–Jeudy-Lally looks like he could certainly make the final active roster regardless of the fact that he's an undrafted free agent rookie.
Jha'Quan Jackson, Wide Receiver
Titans' sixth round NFL Draft pick Jha'Quan Jackson just continues impressing every single day. He executes every little detail. From his footwork, to route running, to contested catches against starting corners like Roger McCreary, to returns on punts and kickoffs, Jackson just does everything well.
Jackson's fast feet are undeniable. His versatility is incredibly valuable. And he brings a unique skill set that Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins, and Tyler Boyd do not possess. He's helped his chances in making the final roster immensely given how well he's performed every single day this week.
Late round rookie wide receiver continues to impress at Tennessee Titans minicamp practices
Versatility may earn this rookie multiple roles
Jack Gibbens, Linebacker
Gibbens may have been an undrafted free agent when he entered the league, but he doesn't look like it anymore. Gibbens picked off Will Levis in red zone work on Wednesday, as you can see in the post below. He's been tracking well with running backs and shifty slot receivers in coverage. And he has received glowing reviews from coaches all week long.
Callahan himself said that Gibbens has taken over a leadership role at linebacker, and when asked about his athleticism said that "you don't have to be a high end athlete to be a good off-ball linebacker". Gibbens has been helping get the defense in position to make plays all week long and looks like a great early candidate to wear the green dot this season.
Saahdiq Charles, Offensive Line
Charles was handpicked by coach Callahan via free agency (as he talked through this week), and he's apparently the front runner right now to win the right guard position. Here he is talking through his "blessing just to be here" with the Titans this week:
Charles should gel well with his former college teammate Lloyd Cushenberry at center if he is indeed given the opportunity to be the starting right guard, and it looks like that very well might just be the case after this week.
Titans Minicamp Losers
Will Levis, Quarterback
It's tough to come in as a second year quarterback and immediately find success against a tough defense that brings pressure from all directions. Will Levis and the Titans offense struggled at the end of practice Tuesday, and for much of the day on Wednesday. Levis made some bad throws, some interceptions and near interceptions, as the defense had the upper hand at times. However, the offense bounced back on Thursday as Brian Callahan talks about in the post below.
Levis is working through some things with his mechanics, learning a new offense, and throwing to a different set of receivers this spring. There are certainly reasons for his struggles in camp thus far, but he certainly hasn't been lighting it up like many fans would hope to see. Hopefully we'll see him bounce back once the pads come on in training camp.
Treylon Burks, Wide Receiver
It's tough for a former first round pick to be relegated to special teams work, but that's where Treylon Burks is at this point. Coach Callahan made it clear that he would not be a full-time starting wide receiver this year, but did express that his size and speed should help him succeed on special teams. He may even return some kicks this year.
Titans kickoff return plans take another step forward with 7 new returner options at minicamp
Treylon Burks and handful of new kickoff return weapons
Burks did make some good catches in positional drills this week, but also fell short in a few instances where he couldn't haul in a few targets from Mason Rudolph in 7-on-7 and 11s periods. There's still a chance Burks continues to develop into something special as he learns from three incredible wide receivers ahead of him, and he still possesses massive potential, but Titans fans may still have to wait to see much of it on offense.
Daniel Brunskill, Offensive Line
Many in the national media still assume that Daniel Brunskill is locked in as the starting right guard for the Tennessee Titans this year. That is not the case. He's in a battle with several interior offensive lineman at multiple spots for sure, but after last season certainly won't be gifted a starting spot. And after this week of minicamp, it doesn't necessarily look like he's on the fast track for a near every down role, unless he steps up during training camp.
T'Vondre Sweat, Defensive Line
Unfortunately we just didn't get to see much of T'Vondre Sweat at OTAs or minicamp due to an injury, but it's reportedly short-term and he should be back for training camp. Sweat will have a lot of catching up to do in July and August now that he's missed so much time. That's not ideal for a rookie who the Titans will likely lean on heavily this season on the defensive interior.
Nicholas Petit-Frere, Offensive Line
With a fierce battle taking place for significant work on the right side of the Titans offensive line Nicholas Petit-Frere has been missing pivotal snaps this spring to earn an expanded role for Tennessee this fall. He's still recovering from a shoulder injury that sent him to the season-ending injured reserve last November. Given that Dillon Radunz has been focused on guard instead of tackle this offseason there's still a chance Petit-Frere locks down the right tackle spot, but it's not a given at this point.
Tennessee Titans offensive lineman specializing to win starting position amid minicamp practices
Former 2nd round pick trying new position to stick
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 JC Latham highlights to get pumped for his epic incoming rookie season with the Titans you can check out the video below!
