In our latest installment of Tennessee Titans training camp previews, we take a closer look at both inside and outside linebacker.
Many of the top spots on the depth chart at each position are already locked-in, but there are still some reserve roles up for grabs going into 2020.
Here’s a look at the roster locks and players on the bubble at inside and outside linebacker, followed by a prediction for who will make the cut when rosters are trimmed down to 53 players.
Roster locks: ILBs
Jayon Brown
Rashaan Evans
David Long
Nick Dzubnar
Analysis: Brown and Evans return as the starters in 2020 and will form an inside linebacker duo that is quickly emerging as one of the best in the NFL.
Behind them, Long will serve as the primary backup. The former sixth-round pick saw limited action in 2019, but made the most of his opportunities with some key stops on defense throughout the season and in the playoffs. The speed at which Long plays and the instinct he plays with is truly impressive and fun to watch.
We figure Dzubnar will also have a spot on the initial 53-man roster after being inked to a one-year deal to be a key special teams contributor, although it isn’t clear if he’ll have a role beyond that after playing limited snaps on defense during his career. If not, the Titans have to find their No. 4 inside linebacker behind Brown, Evans and Long.
On the bubble: ILBs
Cale Garrett (2020 UDFA)
Khaylan Kearse-Thomas (2020 UDFA)
Nigel Harris
Analysis: If the Titans carry five inside linebackers into the season like they did in 2019, we’ll see a competition for the bottom spot on the depth chart between three players who lack experience.
Harris, who has the most experience of the three, has just 11 career games under his belt, including three with Tennessee over two seasons. He’s far from a sure thing in this competition against two intriguing rookies.
Garrett ranked as the 13th-best inside linebacker over the past three seasons based on Pro Football Focus grade (91.9) and he picked off three of the 12 passes thrown his way over six games in 2019.
Kearse-Thomas played all over Arizona State’s defense during his collegiate career and brings versatility to the next level. He saw snaps at inside linebacker, along the defensive line, and in the slot. In 387 career pass coverage snaps, Kearse-Thomas didn’t allow a single touchdown.
Roster locks: OLBs
Harold Landry
Vic Beasley
Kamalei Correa
D’Andre Walker
Analysis: The Titans signed Beasley to a one-year “prove-it” deal this offseason in the hopes that he can help take pressure off Landry and improve a pass-rush that finished near the middle of the pack in sacks last season.
Beasley will see some competition for snaps, though. Correa had a sensational finish to his second season in Nashville, posting six sacks in his last eight games (including playoffs). If he can continue to build on that and Beasley gets off to a slow start in camp, Correa could earn split duties with Beasley at the very least when the season starts.
Despite missing his entire rookie season, one would assume that Walker is going to be a roster lock in 2020 after the team invested a fifth-round pick in him in last year’s draft. Even if he has a great camp, Walker still figures to at least be behind Landry, Beasley and Correa in the pecking order.
On the bubble: OLBs
Derick Roberson
Reggie Gilbert
Josh Smith
Jordan Williams
Analysis: Assuming the roster locks we listed at outside linebacker hold true and the Titans decide to carry five players at the position in total like they did in 2019, that leaves just one spot up for grabs.
Roberson and Gilbert are easily the favorites to land the final spot. If I had to pick one, it would be Roberson, who I was on the fence about naming a roster lock after he flashed his skills in the pass-rush during his rookie campaign.
The UDFA out of Sam Houston State totaled three sacks in the last two regular season games, including two against the New Orleans Saints’ elite offensive line. Roberson also showed he had the trust of his coaches after getting some snaps during the postseason.
Gilbert played a part-time role with the Titans in 2019 and is mostly a run-defense specialist at outside linebacker. He certainly has the edge in experience over Roberson, but if the Titans value pass-rushers more than run defenders going into the season, Roberson should take the last spot.
Initial 53-man roster prediction
Under the assumption that the Titans carry five players at both inside linebacker and outside linebacker on their initial 53-man roster once again, here’s a look at a prediction for how things will shake out.
| OLB1 | Harold Landry |
| OLB2 | Vic Beasley |
| OLB3 | Kamalei Correa |
| OLB4 | Derick Roberson |
| OLB5 | D’Andre Walker |
| ILB1 | Jayon Brown |
| ILB2 | Rashaan Evans |
| ILB3 | David Long |
| ILB4 | Nick Dzubnar |
| ILB5 | Cale Garrett |
We’re giving the final spots at inside and outside linebacker to Garrett and Roberson, respectively. The upside both players bring will be enough to secure their place and justify giving them a longer look in 2020.
One thing that could shake this prediction up a bit (aside from a major signing like Jadeveon Clowney) would be if the Titans decide to carry a sixth outside linebacker or choose Gilbert over Roberson.
That will depend upon what Tennessee thinks of its outside linebackers’ ability to play the run without Gilbert and if the team is ready to waive the white flag on last August’s trade.
