The Tennessee Titans are rock-solid at the cornerback position going into the 2024 campaign, but they have at least one question mark at every other position group on defense, with linebacker included.
The Titans lost Azeez Al-Shaair in free agency to the Houston Texans and failed to adequately replace him. They did sign Kenneth Murray, but he hardly offers what Al-Shaair did. Adding to that, it remains to be seen who will start next to him.
The hope is that fourth-round pick and linebacker Cedric Gray can fill that role effectively in his first season, and Bleacher Report's Derrik Klassen thinks that's possible. Here's what he wrote about one of Tennessee's Day 3 picks:
Gray's sideline to sideline speed is a clear strength. He may not be quite as blazing as Murray but he more than makes up for it elsewhere. Namely, Gray is plenty willing to shoot his hands through a guard's chest and create some disruption between the tackles. He doesn't just concede space. That combination of speed and physicality alone is a good starting point for any young linebacker.
Gray's ability to find the field will come down to consistency and coverage ability. At North Carolina, Gray's vision and trigger ran hot and cold at times. He's willing to play fast downhill; it's just a matter of him trusting what he sees. In coverage, Gray finds himself in a daze rather often but so does Murray, so maybe he's not really at a disadvantage in that sense.
Linebacker is a tough position to find immediate success in this league. Playing both the run and the pass from the heart of the formation brings so many responsibilities. Gray has both the tools and the opportunity in front of him, though.
While the starting job is up for grabs, Gray will have to beat out last year's starter Jack Gibbens, who should be considered the favorite, along with second-year linebacker Otis Reese, who showed some flashes in limited action in 2023. Recently signed Jamal Adams could also see opportunities at linebacker.
All that said, Gray has a good shot to grab the starting role, whether that be out of the gate or at some point during the season. And, if given that opportunity, he definitely has the tools to be an impact player in Year 1.
