3 under-the-radar players to keep an eye on Titans training camp
• The Titans found a potential replacement for David Long Jr.
• Analysts should be discussing Peter Skoronski more often
• A sophomore wide receiver is ready to make a leap
The Tennessee Titans have spent the offseason trying to make upgrades to pretty much every position group after losing seven games straight games to end the 2022 campaign. While it's hard to truly tell how much better they've gotten until the regular season starts, they have a handful of players that are flying under the radar and could end up having a huge impact in 2023.
More specifically, these three Titans aren't getting as much attention as they deserve and are worth a close look in training camp.
No. 3 Titans player to monitor in training camp: Azeez Al-Shaair, LB
The Titans didn't make any splash signings in free agency but they did manage to fill a few roster holes. Left tackle Andre Dillard was probably their biggest acquisition and defensive end Arden Key made headlines for saying he felt disrespected by the offer the rival Jacksonville Jaguars made him to keep him from hitting the open market.
Another player the Titans signed that didn't generate as much attention as Dillard and Key was linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. An undrafted free agent in 2019, Al-Shaair spent his four NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. He appeared in 56 games with 31 starts and finished his tenure at the Bay Area with 199 tackles, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
At $6 million over the two next years, Al-Shaair is a low-key solid option to replace David Long Jr., who signed with the Miami Dolphins in free agency. The one thing that is potentially holding Al-Shaair back from getting more attention is that he's missed significant time throughout his career with injuries.
Al-Shaair underwent knee and shoulder injuries last offseason and had to sit out a few outings with a torn MCL. The good news is that he managed to return and suit up for eight games in the regular season and three in the postseason. If the former Florida Atlantic Owl can avoid the injury bug, he could solidify the linebacker spot next to Monty Rice.