The Tennessee Titans are slated to enter training camp with question marks at linebacker. The current plan is for sophomores James Williams and Cedric Gray to compete for the starting gig next to veteran free-agent signing Cody Barton. Other linebackers such as Otis Reese IV, UDFA David Gbenda, and Anfernee Orji hope to enter that mix.
It's arguably the largest projection in the Titans' 2025 starting lineup. Williams and Gray are inexperienced players, and one of them is almost certain to claim a starting role this season. That is unless new general manager Mike Borgonzi acquires another starting-caliber linebacker before training camp begins.
That's precisely what ESPN recommends in a recent article. Outlining one final offseason move all 32 teams should make, Aaron Schatz suggests the Titans sign free-agent linebacker Kyzir White.
ESPN urges Titans to sign free-agent LB Kyzir White
"The Titans don't really have a lot of inside linebackers on the roster that they can trust," Schatz wrote. "Tennessee signed Cody Barton away from Denver, but nobody else at the position played more than 10.5% of defensive snaps last season."
Schatz is correct about the lack of proven production and in-game snaps. Williams totaled 111 defensive snaps (10.5 percent) last season, whereas Gray was limited to 48 (4.54 percent) plays. They'll need to showcase significant strides at training camp to earn Brian Callahan's trust.
"A strong veteran to play up the middle would be a big help, and White is still out there," Schatz added. "He's a steady player who had 35 more tackles last season for Arizona than any other Cardinals defender other than Budda Baker."
White would certainly add experience and pedigree to the position. The former West Virginia standout is an eight-year pro who totaled 137 tackles last season. It was the second-most of White's career.
White struggled mightily in coverage, however. Pro Football Focus assigned the veteran a grade of 32.0 as a coverage defender. The Titans desperately need to identify a linebacker who can cover the middle of the field, which was a recurring issue on defense last season.
The Titans appear invested in developing Gray and Williams. Signing a league-average veteran wouldn't drastically improve Dennard Wilson's defense, and it would stunt the growth of his young, ascending linebackers. White could marginally improve the Titans in 2025, but making a shortsighted decision could hurt the rebuild in the long run.