As the start of Tennessee Titans training camp approaches on July 28, we’re going to start taking a look at what to expect from each of the team’s position groups.
But before getting to position groups, we’re going to start with a deep dive into the team’s 2020 NFL Draft picks.
As is the case with all rookies entering the league this year, the Titans’ six draft picks are at a disadvantage due to an abbreviated offseason that saw no rookie mini-camp in June.
While virtual meetings have replaced normal activities, there is simply no replicating learning on the practice field, and just how much of an impact this has on the development of the Titans’ youngsters remains to be seen.
Let’s go rookie-by-rookie and take a look at each of their backgrounds and what could happen in their respective competitions in training camp.
Isaiah Wilson | RT
Background
There were some experts who thought Wilson could have benefitted from staying in college another year, but he was still able to show enough at Georgia to be a first-round selection in 2020.
On the surface, Wilson’s massive 6-foot-6, 350-pound frame fits in perfectly with what the Titans do offensively. He’s a run-blocking specialist who can impose his will on defenders to pave the way for Derrick Henry.
Wilson’s pass-blocking is a bit underrated, though, as he allowed just nine pressures in 358 pass-blocking snaps and earned a stellar Pro Football Focus grade of 84.6 in pass protection last season.
Now, that doesn’t mean his skills will immediately translate into NFL success, but the potential is certainly there for him to eventually be a very good all-around tackle.
The competition
Entering camp, Wilson will have a chance to start right away via a competition for the right tackle job with Dennis Kelly, as general manager Jon Robinson revealed shortly after the Georgia product was picked.
There’s no question the edge goes to Kelly, who is already familiar with the Titans’ offense and has the trust of coaches after spending the last four seasons in Nashville and proving to be an effective starter in 2018.
When it’s all said and done, Wilson is likely to lose out to Kelly, but that doesn’t mean we won’t see him at some point during the season. It’s quite possible that Kelly — who is somewhat of a wild card himself — falters, leaving the door open for the first-round pick to get his shot.
Kristian Fulton | CB
Background
When the Titans drafted Fulton late in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, many saw it as a huge steal for Tennessee. After all, the LSU product was slated to go somewhere in the first round, or early in the second.
Fulton brings a strong pedigree with him to the NFL, as he found success facing top-notch competition playing in the SEC. His 29.3 percent forced incompletion rate was tops among cornerbacks since 2018.
Versatility is also something Fulton brings to the table. He has experience playing inside and out, and played a ton of man coverage at LSU that included shadowing faster receivers, as his former cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond told Justin Melo of Music City Miracles.
Perhaps most importantly, Fulton is the upgrade in the speed department the Titans needed in their secondary (4.46 40-yard dash), and particularly in the slot.
The competition
One of the first questions the Titans asked Fulton in pre-draft meetings was if he could play in the slot, which is an area of need for the Titans after the team parted ways with Logan Ryan this offseason.
As we already mentioned, Fulton can do just that, and he stands to be an upgrade over Ryan because of superior quickness at a spot that demands it more and more in today’s NFL.
However, nothing is guaranteed for Fulton. The Titans are going to be taking a look at multiple defensive backs in the slot, including safety Amani Hooker and even the team’s top corner, Adoree’ Jackson, to name a few.
At the very least, I expect Fulton to make enough of a dent in camp to be part of a rotation in the slot when the season begins, and he should also see some snaps on the boundary with the Titans likely hoping he’ll eventually be Malcolm Butler’s replacement down the road.
Darrynton Evans | RB
Background
Evans showed he has the chops to be a versatile and explosive (4.41 40-yard dash speed) back during his days at Applachian State, which makes him seem like the perfect complement to Henry.
The rookie totaled over 2,600 yards on the ground in his last two collegiate seasons, and he took a step forward as a pass-catcher in 2019 with a career-high 21 receptions for 198 yards. Overall, Evans notched an impressive 6.0 yards per carry and 8.2 yards per reception over three seasons.
The Appalachian State product was also an electric returner, totaling 25.7 yards per kicker return and three scores in three years. Evans has the ability to impact a game in multiple ways and he’s one of the more exciting new pieces the Titans added this offseason.
The competition
The question isn’t if Evans will make the roster, but rather if can he dominate all the snaps behind Henry in his first season.
There isn’t much competition for that spot, as players like Dalyn Dawkins, Senorise Perry, Shaun Wilson and UDFA Cameron Scarlett will all be on the bubble to make the roster.
And, if the Titans decide to carry two running backs and one fullback (Khari Blasingame) on game days, it’ll leave even less room for the other backs currently on the roster.
One of the biggest things for Evans will be proving he isn’t a liability in pass protection. The Titans are likely hoping the third-round pick can be the kind of asset as a pass-catcher that Henry and Dion Lewis weren’t able to be last season, and being able to protect the quarterback is a huge part getting opportunities on passing downs.
If he can put it all together during training camp and the preseason, Evans should get significant touches for a backup in a run-heavy ofense — particularly in the passing game — with the Titans looking to lessen the reigning rushing champ’s workload a bit.
I’d also expect him to have a chance to contribute in the return game, an area where the Titans were lacking for much of the 2019 campaign. Evans will have to battle it out with players like Kalif Raymond and Cameron Batson in camp for punt and/or kick return duties, though.
Larrell Murchison | DT
Background
Coming out of college, Murchison was lauded for having an exceptional motor, and he used that motor to be an effective pass-rusher and run defender, totaling 11 sacks and 20 tackles for loss in two seasons at NC State.
Murchison’s leadership qualities are also something to note. Before transferring to NC State, he was a team captain at Louisburg College and is considered a high-character guy.
When you look at all of his qualities and potential, it’s easy to see why the Titans had Murchison squarely in their sights when he was still available going into Day 3 of the 2020 NFL Draft.
The competition
Going into training camp, the Titans have a question mark along the defensive line. We still don’t know who will garner all or the majority of the snaps alongside Jeffery Simmons and DaQuan Jones.
Murchison will be one of the players competing for those snaps, along with free-agent signing Jack Crawford and 2019 UDFA, Isaiah Mack. Chances are we’ll see a pretty even rotation of two or three of those players if one fails to stand out.
Of course, both of those players have the experience factor over Murchison, as Crawford is an eight-year NFL veteran and Mack already has knowledge of the Titans’ defense after making the roster last season.
However, as we already stated, Murchison’s effort alone could force the Titans’ coaching staff to get him on the field. And, if he can prove to be an impact pass-rusher and improve what was a major weakness for the Titans upfront in 2019, he could get significant playing time in his first season.
Cole McDonald | QB
Background
McDonald was able to post some big numbers during his days at Hawaii. In fact, he totaled 8,010 passing yards and 69 touchdowns in his last two collegiate seasons. In 2019, his 4,135 yards were the third-most in college football.
McDonald doesn’t only bring a big arm to the next level, he also has elite athleticism for the position and can make things happen with his legs, which only adds to the intrigue of having him on the roster.
The biggest knock on McDonald coming out of college is his elongated throwing motion, making it impossible for him to get rid of the football quickly. While it didn’t present a huge issue in college, McDonald is going to have to improve his release if he wants to succeed in the NFL.
The competition
The rookie signal-caller will be thrust into a competition for the backup quarterback job behind Ryan Tannehill, with Logan Woodside being the other candidate to land the No. 2 spot on the depth chart.
It’s also possible that the Titans bring in a veteran option at some point before or during camp, which would certainly throw a wrench into McDonald’s chances of being the backup.
Development will be key for McDonald, as he is very much a project. It’ll be interesting to see how far the Hawaii product has come in terms of improving his throwing motion, which is something he has been working on since last year and has continued trying to improve during the offseason.
While McDonald lacks experience, his current competition for the backup job, Woodside, doesn’t exactly have much of an advantage there seeing as how he has never taken a regular season snap in the NFL. Woodside does have a better knowledge of the Titans’ offense, though.
The biggest thing McDonald has over Woodside is a more complete skill set that better mirrors the Titans’ starter, with his stronger arm and vastly superior athleticism. The latter quality might lead to McDonald seeing the field in trick-play packages should he make the roster.
If no veteran option is brought in, we could see McDonald seize the backup job or be No. 3 on the depth chart if the Titans decide to carry three quarterbacks, which is possible given Woodside’s lack of experience.
If Tennessee does sign a veteran option, McDonald will almost certainly start the year on the practice squad unless the Titans see enough that they don’t want to risk another team snatching him away after final cuts.
Chris Jackson | DB
Background
Jackson brings versatility with him to the NFL, as the seventh-round pick played at both safety and cornerback in college and was a contributor on special teams. The Marshall product also spent some time in the slot.
In a league that has an increasing demand for speed on defense, Jackson checks that box also after posting a 40-yard dash time of 4.48 second. He definitely fits the mold of what the Titans are looking for in their secondary.
In four seasons at Marshall, Jackson intercepted seven passes and totaled 45 passes defended in 47 games.
The competition
Jackson is going to have an uphill battle in making the Titans’ roster, as is the case with most seventh-round picks. However, his ability to contribute in multiple areas will certainly help him out.
Not only can Jackson provide depth in the secondary, he can also be an asset on special teams, which gives him an advantage over fellow defensive backs who can’t do the same.
It’s also possible that the Titans give him a look in the slot, although the chances of him seizing that role in any capacity are slim and none thanks to what will be stiff competition for it.
Jackson will likely land on the practice squad unless he can really show out and impress the coaching staff enough to take a spot from one of the team’s other more trusted reserve defensive backs.
