8. Nate Davis IOL, Charlotte
Snaps: 60
This isn’t a condemnation of the Titans 3rd round draft pick, but it is a realistic view of what will probably happen this year.
Where he fits:
Davis is an athletic guard with an NFL frame and some really nice tape including some good reps at the Senior Bowl against good talent. The problem is that he just isn’t polished enough to where I would feel comfortable starting him as a rookie in a year where I needed to figure out what to do at the quarterback position long term.
I think the top contenders to the spot going into camp are, in order:
1. Ben Jones (with the Titans hoping Levin takes over the center spot)
3. Nate Davis
Now, if Davis comes in and plays really well then they could give him the spot to get him the experience early. However, I think the goal is for him to be the starter next year and they drafted him in the third round because they thought that this IOL was going to be weak on Day 3 and he was one of the few “potential starter” grades they had left at the position.
If he doesn’t start, then I am not sure he even makes the game day roster because Kevin Pamphile can be used as a swing player and if Levin isn’t starting the he is going to be active as the backup center.
That gives you the starting five and Dennis Kelly, plus those other two. You aren’t keeping nine offensive linemen active.
Late in the year Davis could push for a job around the BYE week if the Titans feel like they need to make a change there, but more than likely they are going to use him as a jumbo package guy if at all and try to have him ready to start for 2020.