The Tennessee Titans defense enters the 2026 season with a clean slate. WIth new faces at half of the starting spots, this Robert Saleh led-team is desperate to see some changes. Specifically, this team must drastically step it up against the pass, and Saleh will need his linebackers to do some heavy lifting in that department.
The Titans return former starters Cody Barton and Cedric Gray, while also drafting Anthony Hill in the 2nd round of the 2026 NFL Draft. These three are obvious shoe-ins for the Week 1 roster, so that assumingly leaves a maximum of two spots. Mohamoud Diabete and Dorian Mausi seem to be in the running, along with a more familiar name for Titans' fans, James Williams Sr.
Last training camp, the former 2024 seventh-round-selection went toe to toe with Gray for the second middle linebacker spot aside Barton. While Gray ultimately won the job, it doesn't seem fair to completely rule Williams out of a role in this new defense. He logged one start in 2025 against the Kansas City Chiefs, where he racked up an impressive nine tackles along with one sack.
Robert Saleh's Titans defense may favor James Williams' skillset
As a former safety-to-linebacker hybrid, Williams possesses a natural pass defense skillset that fits Saleh's defense like a glove. At 6-4, 230 pounds, he also brings length that can consistently disrupt throws over the middle of the field. Considering how Barton and Gray looked in 2025 against the pass, Williams possibly logging snaps on passing downs in 2026 isn't completely out of the question.
Obviously being at the bottom of any position room in the NFL means that you must bring something to the table on special teams. Williams turned in an average performance on special teams last year for the Titans, which included the teams first blocked punt against the Cleveland Browns for the first time since 2012. He will need to step it up from his 2025 special teams outing if he wants to make this roster come August.
Williams is absolutely in the running for the last linebacker spot for this team. Diabete and Mausi will compete against him for the final spots, but it will ultimately come down how many linebackers the Titans choose to roster.
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