Titans Post Mini-Camp Wrap-Up

Written By Jack Loeb

The Titans recently ended their 3 day mini-camp at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park. The 3 day mini-camp went as expected. Players that had recently been missing i.e. Harold Landry, Jeffrey Simmons, T’Vondre Sweat and others made their appearance. Whether that be practicing on the field or rehabbing inside the facility. This past week mini-camp also offered an opportunity to turn up the heat a bit both offensively and defensively. Although players aren’t hitting yet, the physicality has increased considerably more so than OTAs. Titans coaches are also feeling out the roster and starting to put guys where they may be best suited after analyzing the first two weeks of OTAs.

We’ll start with Treylon Burks who has been a hot topic as of late. Big news out of camp is that Burks is currently slated as one of the gunners on special teams. This is rather the opposite of the heaps of praise Treylon received earlier the past few weeks and months from his teammates and his coaches about his prospect of playing WR. Regardless, in a crowded WR room that is all but finalized, the top three receivers in order are: Ridley, DHop, and Boyd and there’s little room for a WR4/5/6 who can only play the WR position. Eventually those backend receivers find their way to the 53 man roster by playing a special teams position.

This is good news overall for the team and bad news for Treylon Burks. It’s great that the team is deep enough that someone like Treylon Burks isn’t guaranteed a starting role and/or a spot on the team. Meanwhile, the opposite is true for Burks as he works to navigate a spot on this roster that will need to include earning not only a spot as WR4 but as a starting gunner as well. During the first presser of mini-camp Coach Callahan mentioned, “Guys like him [Treylon Burks] should be great special teams players due to his size and speed,” Although it appears Burks has been relegated, Treylon isn’t letting that get to him. Offensive Coordinator Nick Holz praised Burk’s “work ethic everyday has been awesome...attitude and effort from him would be A+ from us.” Below is the full excerpt from Coach Callahan and his thoughts on Burks as a gunner.

Speaking of earning and learning a new position it seems we know where Dillion Radunz will be starting out this season. When Radunz had a chance to be interviewed he let it be known that Coach Bill Callahan told him first thing that he sees him more as a guard and that’s where he’ll play, barring injuries. That’s interesting to note because it’s understood that Skoronski has left guard locked down. Therefore, that leaves one spot left for Radunz to potentially start, and that’s at right guard. Radunz also mentioned that he added on some muscle mass to help with the transition to right guard. In total there are quite a few bodies that will be fighting for the right guard spot. Previous starting right guard Daniel Brunksill will compete with free agent acquisition Saahdiq Charles and former 2nd round pick Dillion Radunz. One of these guys will likely get the start during training camp with the initial depth chart and it’ll be solidified post 53 breakdown in late August. Charles as of recent has been getting the starting snaps at right guard. Which could be something to monitor going forward if that holds up into training camp.

Speaking of Coach Bill Callahan he was presented with the prestigious Dr. Paul Zimmerman award by the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) for his remarkable contributions to football in his 22 years of service to the sport. It’s no doubt that Coach Callahan has impacted the game in a tremendous way. Having Bill Callahan on the coaching staff should make every Titans fan feel better about addressing the offensive line woes that have stricken the Titans over the past few years.

One of the many issues that still exists for this Titans team is who will play right tackle. With NPF and Jaelyn Duncan absent with injury its forced 2023 UDFA John Ojukwu to play right tackle in their absence. Whether anything matriculates from that is yet to be seen. However, it’s an opportunity to see if Callahan is able to coach him up to be a feasible starting right tackle or perhaps just to make the roster by cut day. Regardless, with the previous offensive woes creeping into the 2024 season the right tackle position is one to keep a keen eye on as training camp opens.

A surprise that is coming out of Titans camp is that second year tight end Josh Whyle is starting to come into his own after missing much of last season with injury. After playing in 5 games this past season its great to see him start to build a rapport with Levis. Starting quarterback Will Levis spoke highly about Whyle when he met the media on the first day of mini-camp. If the 6’7 250lb Whyle can earn decent time on the field this season he would provide a big target for Levis in the middle of the field. If Whyle can be productive this season that will be huge for this Titans team. The more pass catching weapons the better this Titans team will be. A plethora of pass catching weapons hasn’t been seen in Oilers/Titans history in well…ever. With the addition of Brian Callahan that should hopefully change soon.

On the second day on mini-camp the defense dominated the 7-on-7 drills. Levis wasn’t at his best. He had a few picks and a few pass break ups as he was late to his throws. However, that changed on Thursday as the offense bounced back and Levis had a much better day. These ebbs and flows will certainly happen over the offseason work. It’s no reason to cause alarm at the moment. Levis is still working out the kinks to the new offense and its better to make mistakes now than during gameday.

Dennard Wilson had a lot to say as it pertains to how he will coach the Titans corners. Wilson stated, “I want them to lineup, and to be in front of receivers, and challenge receivers…I want to make them [the offense] earn it the hard way. From day 1 we press everything” For Titans fans who have been befuddled by this team’s inherent insistence to not press wide receivers or have corners play 12 yards off on 1st and 10 or play 8 yards off on 3rd and 5 this is great news. Remarkably, the Titans organization as a whole has for some reason, regardless of coaching staff or philosophy, have had the corners play the same way — with too much room.

WIlson’s scheme with L’Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie should prove successful. Both recently added corners excel at doing just that and were huge free agent acquisitions. Wilson’s pass defense has consistently ranked tops in the league. The Ravens ranked second in the league in 2023 in terms of coverage grade, while the year before (without Wilson) they ranked 13th according to PFF. The year before that when Wilson was with Philadelphia (from 21-22) they ranked fifth in coverage grade in ‘22 and ranked thirteenth in ‘21 according to PFF. Considering, the Titans were ranked twenty-sixth last year in coverage grade the Titans should see a big jump with the addition of Wilson as well as top cornerbacks L’Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie.

With Dennard Wilson at the helm the Titans defense has shown well in practice, despite missing several key players. Jack Gibbens had a pick on Levis and McCreary had a PBU in 7-on-7’s. The Titans defense is finding ways to make it difficult for Levis and the offense without many starters. L’Jarius Sneed made a quick in-and-out appearance at mini-camp on the field with the trainers. So that’s something to still monitor, and hopefully the load management will provide dividends come the fall. Harold Landry also made his reappearance to the Titans facility after missing all of voluntary OTAs. Landry will look to build off an impressive year that saw him rack up 10.5 sacks and 70 tackles after being one year removed from ACL surgery. This Titans defense will need to get to the quarterback this season if they want to have any chance at success. Landry is the Titans most veteran player. He, along with Simmons are expected to get to the quarterback.

Speaking of Simmons he’s still rehabbing according to Coach Callahan. He’s also not the only DL rehabbing, T’Vondre Sweat is as well. Callahan also mentioned that it’s only something short term for the both. Although we don’t know the injury or the severity for Sweat, detractors will see this as another issue that should give pause. However, on a positive note Sweat recently signed his contract, being the last Titans rookie to do so. Sweat will need to get on the field to condition and be ready for his rookie season. Obviously, any rookie missing time is a bad thing. Any setbacks that Sweat will face will only embolden the idea that the Titans reached on Sweat. Hopefully T’Vondre can come back onto the field before training camp begins to give Titans fans something positive during the long lull between OTAs and Training camp.

A pleasant surprise for the Titans has been UDFA CB Gabe Jeudy-Lally. The 6’1 190lb corner from Tennessee has been making the most of his time on the field as L’Jarius Sneed has been trying to work his way back onto the field. Chidobe Awuzie had some high praise for the UDFA out of Knoxville calling him, “really smart, he’s really keen to the game…he’s giving himself the best opportunity to be great.” That’s awesome news to hear from a vet of Awuzie’s caliber. Although there are parallels between the praise to Burks and Jeudy-Lally from established vets the opportunity for Jeudy-Lally to make the team and/or end up on the practice squad seems possible. Regardless, from what we’re hearing out of mini-camp Jeudy-Lally has a great opportunity to make the most of his situation as he vies for a spot.

One previously absent Titan who suffered a catastrophic injury this season has made his way back onto the field for minimal work — Ryan Stonehouse. After tearing his ACL in early December he’s working his way back. Stonehouse isn’t fully healthy, nor has he performed any significant work on punts during Mini-camp. However, it’s still good news that he’s suited up and on the practice field. Expect Ty Zentner to continue to get all the special teams punt snaps till Stonehouse is healthy enough to return. Stonehouse may be an IR candidate to start the season — that’s something to keep an eye on as Stonehouse eyes a week one return.

What’s Next

Titans will conclude workouts with their final week of OTAs from June 10-13th before the big break that ends in late July for Training camp. The Titans will hopefully add a few more missing Titans to the practice field this upcoming week. However, don’t be surprised if Sneed, Sweat, Simmons, and NPF are still rehabbing and working their way back onto the practice field.

Jack Loeb https://twitter.com/jakjack91
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