The Tennessee Titans are set to officially kick off rookie minicamp this week. It will be the team's first glimpse at its seven draft picks as well as 15 undrafted free agents who have recently been signed to the team.
By now most Titans fans are familiar with the draftees, but there are a handful of players who did not hear their names called on draft night looking to catch on with the team.
Ryan Stonehouse, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Jack Gibbens, Otis Reese and Tre Avery are current Titans who have made an impact over recent years despite going on drafted.
I have my eyes on three undrafted players who could compete for legitimate roles when the team's 53-man roster if officially announced this fall.
OG Cole Spencer - Texas Tech
The Titans signed Spencer to the most lucrative deal in the team's crop of UDFAs. Aaron Wilson reports that Spencer's deal includes $75,000 in guarantees, which is a clear indication that the team believes he has a chance to help them in 2024.
Spencer started at left tackle for Western Kentucky in 2021 before suffering a season-ending injury the following year. He then transferred to Texas Tech where he kicked inside in an injury-shortened 2023 campaign.
It was at Tennessee's Local Pro Day where he met directly with Titans offensive line coach Bill Callahan. Spencer tested well in the pre-draft process and should be in the mix for backup reps along the interior of Tennessee's offensive line.
RB Dillon Johnson - Washington
The Titans plans for the third running back spot will be intriguing to follow. Julius Chestnut enters training camp as the early favorite, but Johnson could challenge for the role behind Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears.
Johnson exploded in 2023 and was a catalyst in Washington's run to the College Football Playoff final. He rushed for 1,195 yards on 233 carries with a whopping 16 touchdowns on the ground. He's a great receiving option out of the backfield totaling 173 receptions in his college career.Â
K Brayden Narveson - NC State
Nick Folk is the current incumbent but the Titans did bring in a rookie option at kicker. Narveson drilled 18-of-23 field goal attempts (78.3%) in his 2023 campaign at NC State. Leg strength is usually at the forefront of the discussion for Titans kickers, but Narveson has a 57-yard boot under his belt.
Like Spencer, Narveson also raised eyebrows at Tennessee's Local Pro Day. Special teams coach Colt Anderson was particularly impressed in the youngster who aims to knock off Folk. It will be no easy feat considering Folk is coming off of a season in which he connected on 29-of-30 attempts, but crazier things have happened (Ryan Stonehouse vs. Brett Kern).
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