The Tennessee Titans endured an incredibly disappointing season in 2024, finishing a league-worst 3-14 and clinching the No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. As a wasted campaign progressed forward, head coach Brian Callahan and staff began giving younger players opportunities to play increased workloads. Several of them took advantage of that chance.
President of football operations Chad Brinker is finalizing the process of hiring a new general manager after firing Ran Carthon. Brinker has stated the Titans want to be a draft-and-develop organization. That means relying on younger talent to play elevated roles. With that in mind, we've identified three playmakers who deserve more playing time in 2025.
Tyjae Spears
The Titans entered the season planning to present Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears at running back in a timeshare backfield. That hope came nowhere near reaching fruition. Spears endured recurring injuries and Pollard proved worthy of being a workhorse in his absence.
That led to inconsistent playing time and availability for Spears. With Pollard nursing a late-season injury, Spears saw increased reps. The former Tulane standout produced 261 yards and four touchdowns in Tennessee's final three games. A true timeshare should be the goal in 2025.
Chig Okonkwo
Third-year tight end Chig Okonkwo began the season as an afterthought in the passing game. The Titans opened the campaign with DeAndre Hopkins, Treylon Burks, Calvin Ridley, and Tyler Boyd at their disposal. With Hopkins and Burks eventually eliminated from that equation, Okonkwo later worked his way up the pecking order.
The ex Maryland tight end became a go-to target for quarterbacks Will Levis and Mason Rudolph down the stretch. In Okonkwo's final three appearances of the season, the versatile pass catcher saw a hefty 28 targets, hauling in 22 receptions for 182 yards. Heading into a contract year in 2025, Okonkwo deserves a more consistent role.
Bryce Oliver
Bryce Oliver was a fan-favorite undrafted free agent through training camp and the preseason. The Titans managed to stash him on the practice squad. Oliver made his regular-season debut in Week 9, but totaled just 67 offensive snaps all season long.
Oliver recorded some impressive grabs, averaging an explosive 15.8 yards per catch via six receptions and 95 receiving yards. The Titans have question marks at the position this offseason, with Nick Westbrook-Ikhine slated for free agency. Oliver should be given a chance to be the offense's fifth receiver in 2025.