NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans are days away from finalizing their roster, and the first preseason game offered a meaningful look at several key rookies.

With joint practices against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on tap and a Sunday night preseason game to follow, NFL Films executive producer and ESPN NFL analyst Greg Cosell joined the latest episode of The Install with Greg Cosell podcast to break down what he saw from Tennessee’s young players on tape.

The picture that emerged reinforced what the Titans coaching staff has seen at Saint Thomas Sports Park throughout camp: Fernando Carmona appears ready to start at right guard, Keldrick Faulk is carving out a role on the edge, and Anthony Hill still has developmental ground to cover.

Fernando Carmona is earning the starting right guard job

Carmona, the Titans’ rookie interior offensive lineman out of Arkansas, has been running with the first team for roughly two weeks. Cosell’s evaluation matched what offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo has praised throughout camp.

“His game was built on consistency of execution, both as a run blocker and in pass protection,” Cosell said of his college scouting report on Carmona, who played 49 games across two schools at San Jose State and Arkansas. “His physical dimensions and play style and strengths would likely lead some offensive line coaches to believe that his future at the next level is an offensive center.”

Carmona is playing guard instead, but Cosell’s broader point holds: this is an inside player with the traits to start. The final bullet in Cosell’s strengths category on Carmona said it all.

“Outstanding playing personality,” Cosell said. “Battled and competed on every snap, strong finishing mentality with a nasty streak.”

That nastiness is exactly what the Titans lacked on the offensive line last season. Bricillo and the coaching staff have emphasized finishing and physicality as identity traits for the 2026 group, and Carmona has embodied that standard. Tennessee also used him frequently as a puller in the run game, where Cosell thought he showed good movement and tracking ability.

With roughly a week and a half left in camp, Carmona’s grip on the starting right guard job looks firm.

Keldrick Faulk is being developed as a full-time edge defender

The Titans’ other first-round pick, defensive end Keldrick Faulk out of Auburn, played almost exclusively on the outside in the preseason opener. Cosell pointed to several encouraging reps.

“I thought there were some good examples of him setting the edge in the run game,” Cosell said. “He showed really good point of attack strength. He maintained his outside leverage, then displaced the tight end block to make the tackle for a 1-yard gain. That’s what you’re looking for for edge players.”

Faulk also flashed a quality spin move as a pass rusher, beating the tackle before help arrived from the guard. Cosell stopped short of calling it a standout performance but noted the context matters.

“Did he stand out? No. I mean, I didn’t come away going, oh my God, that was awesome,” Cosell said. “But I thought he hung in there and played well. Don’t forget, it’s the first game for these guys.”

Faulk has not played any snaps inside during camp or in the preseason game. Solomon Thomas and John Franklin-Myers are working inside, and with edge rusher Jaylen Harrell lost for the year, Faulk’s primary home figures to be at defensive end for the foreseeable future. Defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton has praised Faulk’s willingness to learn new techniques after relying largely on physical dominance at Auburn.

That approach makes sense for a rookie. Learn one position, learn it the right way, and build from there.

Anthony Hill’s aggression needs refinement

Second-round linebacker Anthony Hill did not enter the preseason game until the middle of the second quarter. James Williams, not Hill, was the first linebacker off the bench behind the starters. That pecking order reflects what has played out at camp, where Williams has been the more consistent performer.

Cosell saw the same traits from Hill that showed up on his Texas tape: explosive aggression paired with occasional lapses in discipline.

“He’s very aggressive. He’s a see-it-and-go player who can be susceptible to play action and misdirection,” Cosell said. “At times, just as he was at Texas, he can be a little out of control. You love the aggression, you love the fact that he wants to be violent and physical. But does he have sort of the innate ability to see things the right way?”

Williams, meanwhile, has dropped about 20 pounds to 220 and has been active in coverage throughout camp, making plays on the ball in practices and scrimmages. Right now, it appears to be Williams’ job to lose at that third linebacker spot. The Titans want Hill to earn his way into the top three, but there is not yet enough trust to displace one of the other options.

Jerrick Reed and the secondary depth battle

One name that jumped off the tape for Cosell was safety Jerrick Reed, a holdover from last year’s depleted secondary who started games out of necessity late in the 2025 season.

“He made plays, he tackled really well in the run game,” Cosell said. “He was aggressive, he was competitive. He also matched up to the tight end when they played some man coverage. He just stood out.”

Tennessee’s secondary depth remains perilously thin across the board. Reed is competing with Tony Adams, who has previous familiarity with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh from their time together with the New York Jets, for one of the reserve safety roles. The competition looks wide open heading into Sunday night’s preseason game against Seattle.

Reed’s path is straightforward: put it on tape when the opportunities come. Through one preseason game, he did exactly that.