Everyone knows that Cam Ward's development is the focal point of the preseason and the regular season this year. While the 2025 Tennessee Titans will be judged on his success, that shouldn't completely overshadow what some of the under-the-radar players are doing during the preseason.
With one more preseason game before the bloodbath of roster cuts ensues, there are players on the fringes of this roster who are fighting for their jobs or spot on the depth chart. The following four players have done everything they could to secure their place.
4 Titans preseason sleepers who have played their way into roles
James Williams, LB
James Williams took over the starting linebacker position so quickly that it's easy to forget there were reasons to doubt whether the 2024 seventh-round pick would be able to make the leap this year. Whether it has been at practice, on defense in a preseason game, or covering kicks as a special teams player, Williams has been easy to spot as he flies around and makes splashy plays.
James Proche, WR
As soon as the Titans signed Xavier Restrepo, people were writing off James Proche, but to his credit, he just kept stacking good day after good day. At this point, it would be a shock if Proche didn't make the roster as the team's return specialist and depth player at receiver. Meanwhile, Restrepo is firmly on the roster bubble.
James Lynch, DT
After watching James Lynch in two preseason games, it's obvious that his place on the roster is secured. He is so much better than the backup offensive linemen he's been been competing with, and it is easy to watch him deconstruct a block and make life hard on the offense. With Jeffery Simmons and T'Vondre Sweat slated to start, Lynch and Sebastian Joseph-Day should be penciled in as the next men up at defensive tackle. That might change with a waiver claim, but as of right now, there is a clear gap between the top four and the other defensive tackles on the roster.
Cedric Gray, LB
Williams grabbed the starting linebacker spot quickly, but there has been a strong push from Gray to put his name in the hat for that job. Both second-year linebackers flash explosiveness and aggression, and it may come down to which player can hold up the best in coverage, or make the fewest mistakes. Regardless of who starts next to Cody Barton, the development of Gray and Williams has already helped the Titans, and it has likely scratched a need off next offseason's to-do list.