The Tennessee Titans have one of the best linebackers no one knows (yet) in Cedric Gray. Considering new head coach Robert Saleh's pedigree with young linebackers, everyone should expect Gray to be the focal point of the national media spotlight as the season progresses forward.
However, what the Titans have next to Gray is infinitely more interesting and complicated.
Currently, the Titans are projected to start 29-year-old linebacker Cody Barton at linebacker opposite Gray, and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley recently pointed to consistency as a reason why he is outpacing the rest of the linebacker group for the other starting spot.
However, Barton has looked painfully slow throughout the preseason. It is obvious that Barton understands his assignments, but is often late to arrive. That can be just as harmful to a defense as not knowing where to go.
The Tennessee Titans should embrace a youth movement at linebacker
Behind him, James Williams has been a physical, vocal presence, and he nearly beat out Gray for a starting job in training camp last season. His long frame and past life as a safety make him an interesting option for the job because he seems to have everything you want in a linebacker; he just needs a little more experience after waiting until getting drafted to transition to full-time linebacker.
However, the buzzy name right now is second-round rookie Anthony Hill, who looked like everything that Barton isn't when the Titans played the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2 of the NFL preseason.
Earlier in the preseason, Barton whiffed on a sack that gave the San Francisco 49ers time to extend a drive, but in the same situation against the Seahawks, Hill made the play. Barton nearly got in a passing lane against the 49ers, but he was a step slow, and the pass was completed. However, when Hill was in coverage against Jalen Milroe, he read the quarterback and quickly jumped in the passing lane to record an interception.
Whether the Titans use subpackages or hand the job outright to one of these young players, they should start giving the young players opportunities, especially when there is a stark contrast in their playmaking ability. While Barton seems to be a good, mature leader, and is well-liked by everyone in the locker room, he just doesn't give them the same chance as the young guys to make a game-winning play.
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