Position battles to watch in Titans training camp

A disappointing 6-13 season forced the Tennessee Titans to undergo a regime change in the offseason, with several new faces on the 2024 roster.

Here are three key position battles to watch when training camp opens on July 23.

Right tackle

Projected starter: Nicholas Petit-Frere

Players to watch: Dillon Radunz, Jaelyn Duncan, Geron Christian

Petit-Frere was limited to just three games last season, but he was the Titans’ starting right tackle the year before, allowing five sacks, 35 pressures and 24 hurries in 16 games, per Pro Football Focus. If healthy, he’s the likely bet to start at RT again in 2024.

In his absence, Radunz stepped in and played 504 snaps on the right side last year, showing he could hold his own if needed. Duncan was thrown into action at left tackle for a few games due to injury, and though he looked lost most of the time, he could still redeem himself with a strong showing at camp this year.

Christian was a late add, but he has a history with offensive line coach Bill Callahan from their time together in Cleveland, where he started nine games last year at LT. If anyone can get Christian to play his best, it’s Callahan.

Running back

Projected starter: Tony Pollard

Player to watch: Tyjae Spears

This position battle may not have a true winner as the plan is likely to split touches between Pollard and Spears. However, both running backs are multitalented, which should make for some interesting drama in terms of how the coaching staff sets up their respective roles.

Pollard is better at breaking tackles and picking up yards after contact, but Spears is more agile, shiftier and could be used to create more favorable matchups on the perimeter. 

Conventional wisdom would be Pollard getting more carries and Spears more receptions, but Tennessee could throw everyone for a loop and switch things up given the versatility of both backs.

Edge-rusher

Projected starters: Harold Landry, Arden Key

Players to watch: Caleb Murphy, Rashad Weaver

Key (476) and Landry (435) played the second- and third-most pass-rushing snaps, respectively, last season behind Denico Autry. But with Autry now in Houston, the Titans need someone to step in and fill the void Autry left: 11.5 sacks, 53 pressures and 36 hurries.

A fourth-round pick in 2021, Weaver has had one decent season (5.5 sacks in 2022) sandwiched in between two underwhelming ones. It would be the best-case scenario if he were to fill Autry’s shoes. Murphy impressed during the preseason last year as a situational pass-rusher and earned a spot on the 53-man roster. He only played three games, but he could be in line for a big upswing in snaps in 2024.