We are through a full week of Tennessee Titans training camp after the team took part in its fifth open practice and second padded session on Tuesday.
And, with practice not open to the media on Wednesday, I thought it would be a perfect time to take a look back at the week that was.
In our coverage of each practice, some players have stood out more than others, which includes both under-the-radar and new players, as well as returning players who you’d expect to be doing well.
Among the third group, guys like Jeffery Simmons, Treylon Burks and Kristian Fulton have all shined in their own right, so we want to make sure we don’t forget to mention them.
But for the purposes of this article, I want to highlight guys who are new to the team this year, as well as other players who may or may not be new to the team but are fighting for roster spots.
Now, just because a player isn’t listed here doesn’t mean they’re having a bad camp. It could be as simple as they just haven’t stood like these players, and it’s possible I’ve missed one or more with a ton of information out there to process on a daily basis. I’m only human, after all.
Without further ado, here’s what I came up with.
QB Will Levis
Levis was mostly quiet over the first three open practices of training camp, but he has since come on strong in the last few.
On Monday, Levis looked sharp and tossed five touchdowns in red-zone periods, displaying his ability to fit the ball into tight windows in the process.
By far Will Levis’ best day at #Titans camp: counted 5 TD passes in 7v7 and 11v11 red zone work
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) July 31, 2023
Will Levis opens #Titans 7-on-7 period with 3 consecutive touchdown passes. Each from 20+ yards in tight windows.
Have a day.
— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) July 31, 2023
He followed that up with a strong showing once again on Tuesday, and did so while running with the twos, something head coach Mike Vrabel said we can expect to see from time-to-time moving forward.
Good thing is these three plays came after a mistake by Levis when he didn't pick up the defense blitzing. Bounced back for three good plays. https://t.co/Moch2rO9IU
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 1, 2023
Will Levis looking sharp in #Titans team period yet again. Made some really impressive touchdown throws to his left.
— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) August 1, 2023
“I felt there was some good balls,” Vrabel said of Levis after Monday’s practice, according to ESPN’s Turron Davenport. “I thought there were some good decisions down in the red zone, I thought he delivered the ball with some accuracy, tried to push it down the field and worked the concepts that we had going into today in the red zone. So, take it day by day; there’s going to be some good days, some bad days, learn from them and keep progressing.”
Malik Willis has mostly been good, also, but there’s no doubt the rookie signal-caller has done just a bit more to stand out early on.
WR DeAndre Hopkins
In what is the least surprising thing ever, Hopkins has fully displayed why he’s an elite receiver in this league early on in camp.
“Receiver DeAndre Hopkins provided several reminders that he’s going to be a force to be reckoned with, as he stepped up to make a number of tough catches in the middle of the field,” Jim Wyatt wrote on Tuesday.
“Hopkins doesn’t catch the ball – he snags it out of the air with authority.”
Then, there was this ridiculous catch against cornerback Kristian Fulton on Friday, which might have been the best play of training camp thus far.
DeAndre Hopkins vs. Kristian Fulton. #Titans pic.twitter.com/LMeiZfoqcL
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) July 28, 2023
Most importantly, Hopkins and Ryan Tannehill have been connecting plenty since the very first day of training camp, showing the pair are building a solid chemistry together.
Ryan Tannehill to DeAndre Hopkins on back to back completions. First one was to the sideline with Sean Murphy-Bunting in coverage for a first down. Next one was a big gain on play action across the middle. Hopkins found a hole in zone and made the catch.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 1, 2023
As if all that wasn’t enough to get you excited, Hopkins has been staying after practice to work with all of the quarterbacks, which is yet another devastating blow to the “Hopkins doesn’t practice” crowd.
DeAndre Hopkins getting extra red zone routes after practice with all #Titans QBs: Tannehill, Willis, Levis. Mason Kinsey getting extra work too
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) July 31, 2023
WR Tre'Shaun Harrison
Among the team’s bubble wide receivers, Harrison has been one of the bigger standouts. Here’s what Wyatt wrote about Harrison after what was his best practice on Saturday.
“Undrafted receiver Tre’Shaun Harrison did some good things during the offseason, and he’s carried that over into camp,” Titans beat writer Jim Wyatt wrote on Saturday.
“Harrison made a pair of catches on 1-on-1s, and he made a great catch when he kept the ball from hitting the ground on Levis pass.”
Tre'Shaun Harrison came back and made a nice shoe string catch during team period. https://t.co/TNztsQ2loY
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) July 29, 2023
There may only be one spot up for grabs at the wide receiver position, and so far Harrison has done enough to garner consideration in our latest 53-man projection, which was heavily based on the goings on during the first week.
Unfrafted free agent WR Tre’Shaun Harrison @Treshaunn__ made some plays today at #Titans camp.
A look at two catches in 1 on 1s. pic.twitter.com/tkPYK6DH7I
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) July 29, 2023
WR Reggie Roberson
Another one of the Titans’ bubble wide receivers, Roberson had been quiet for most of the first week of training camp until Tuesday, where he really shined.
Reggie Roberson came back and went to the ground to make a catch short of the goal line. Big gain, But really bad short throw from Malik Willis. Could’ve hit him in stride for easy TD. #Titans
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 1, 2023
Will Levis just led a nice TD drive working with the twos. Two big catches by Reggie Roberson including the score. #Titans.
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 1, 2023
Reggie Roberson has had a strong day of practice for the #Titans
— Ben Arthur (@benyarthur) August 1, 2023
“Roby really progressed well in training camp last year and brought him back,” Vrabel said, per AtoZ Sports. “I think he’s been able to play faster and know what’s going on and understand route detail versus certain coverages. It seems like he’s able to play close to his time speed, which is what we’re trying to get from everybody.”
Let Reggie cook👨🍳 pic.twitter.com/jTlzoznCyH
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 1, 2023
One strong practice isn’t going to secure Roberson’s spot on this roster by any means, but if he can stack good days like the one he had on Tuesday, he’ll give himself a great shot to crack the 53-man group.
OLB Arden Key
When it comes to guys showing out each and every day of training camp, Key’s name immediately comes to mind.
Key has been a huge reason why the Titans’ defensive front has been getting the best of the offensive line early on in training camp, as he’s routinely getting pressure and has been piling up sacks.
In fact, Key said he had seven sacks on Friday, which might be exaggerating but is believable given how good he’s looked.
Arden Key was, in fact, dominant today. Showed up in the backfield damn near every snap it seemed. https://t.co/D8UWWsvlvG
— Mike Herndon (@MikeHerndonNFL) July 28, 2023
#Titans Arden Key had his way with
LT Andre Dillard today.— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) July 28, 2023
#Titans practice note: Arden Key could be a monster
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) July 28, 2023
But it isn’t just Key’s play that has stood out. The edge rusher’s high-energy attitude has also been very apparent.
“I don’t know, I just wake up and I’m just on 10,” he said after practice on Saturday, per Sam Phalen of AtoZ Sports. “I don’t know, it’s just something God blessed me with and I’m born with, so I don’t get tired at all.”
We’ll still have to see how this translates during the season when Key is set to take on the biggest role of his career. But for now, there’s plenty of reasons to be excited for him in 2023.
LB Azeez Al-Shaair
Since being signed this offseason, Al-Shaair has been projected to be one of the starters at inside linebacker. And, so far in training camp, he’s looked the part.
Bro Azeez Al-Shaair is a baller. Been fun to watch so far.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 1, 2023
As if we needed more confirmation that Al-Shaair will be a primary player at linebacker for Tennessee in 2023, he also spoke about wearing the green dot, which signifies he’ll be relaying the plays for the defense.
#Titans LB Azeez Al-Shaair said he's embracing calling the plays on defense. It was something he did w/the 49ers during practice when he worked with the second group and at times on game day when Fred Warner went down.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) July 31, 2023
Other standouts: Honorable mentions, those you'd expect
QB Ryan Tannehill
QB Malik Willis
WR Treylon Burks
WR Chris Moore
DL Jeffery Simmons
CB Kristian Fulton
