The Tennessee Titans made seven total selections in the 2024 NFL Draft. General manager Ran Carthon spent the majority of his focus on the defensive side of the ball, utilizing five of his picks on defenders. Several Titans draftees are expected to compete for starting gigs and rotational roles throughout training camp and the preseason. As always, rookies pose a threat to the veterans.
First-round pick J.C. Latham will be the starting left tackle. Latham won't necessarily be taking anybody's job, because Carthon released last year's starter Andre Dillard earlier this offseason. But from T'Vondre Sweat onward, various Titans rookies pose a direct threat to veterans at their respective positions.
We've identified four of them.
Sebastian Joseph-Day, DT
Sebastian Joseph-Day hasn't played his first snap for the Titans yet, but his role has likely already been downgraded. Approximately one month after signing the former Rutgers standout in free agency, the Titans drafted Sweat with a second-round pick. Joseph-Day, who is capable of playing nose tackle, was momentarily the favorite to play the most interior snaps next to Jeffery Simmons following Teair Tart's departure.
That role will now likely belong to Sweat.
Tre Avery, CB
Tre Avery was the fourth-most snapped cornerback for the Titans last season. He was on the field for 361 snaps, which accounted for more than 31% of all Titans defensive plays. Roger McCreary, L'Jarius Sneed, and Chido Awuzie will dominate playing time for the Titans at cornerback this season. Carthon then drafted former Louisville cover-man Jarvis Brownlee Jr. with a fifth-round choice. Brownlee Jr. could supplant Avery as the No. 4 corner this season.
Luke Gifford, LB
Luke Gifford joined the Titans via a two-year contract in free agency last offseason. He played just eight defensive snaps, but had a significantly larger role on special teams. Gifford totaled 259 snaps in the third phase last season. Only cornerback Anthony Kendall (323) played more snaps on special teams.
Carthon used a seventh-round pick on safety-turned-linebacker James Williams. The former Miami Hurricanes versatile defender must play special teams as he continues acclimating to his new position. With Kenneth Murray, Jack Gibbens, Otis Reese IV, and Cedric Gray all but assured roster spots, Williams could be the fifth and final linebacker on the 53-man roster.
Caleb Murphy, EDGE
Caleb Murphy made the 2023 roster as a developmental pass rusher after leading the preseason in sacks. Playing time was significantly harder to come by once the regular season began. Murphy earned just four defensive snaps in a deep back-end rotation.
That role may be filled this year by seventh-round pick Jaylen Harrell from Michigan. The National Championship winner is an athletic specimen that ran an outstanding 4.68 40-yard dash. He also leaped a 37 inch vertical at the NFL Scouting Combine. Harrell could be Dennard Wilson's project pass-rusher this summer.