The Tennessee Titans have done a great job surrounding Will Levis with talent and quality coaching this offseason.
While we still need to see the results on the field, it's easy to get excited about what the Titans will look like on offense in 2024. Under the direction of Brian Callahan, the team will be driven by a pass-first mentality that's spearheaded by one of the most proven trios of starting receivers in the NFL.
The battle at tight end has been frisky with Chig Okonkwo and Josh Whyle both being listed as co-starters at the position in the first depth chart of the season, and Callahan has been quick to praise the duo of Tyjae Spears and Tony Pollard at running back.
With the skill positions all but settled, all eyes have been on the offensive line. Bill Callahan has been working hard behind the scenes on keeping Levis protected throughout the season.
On the positive side, J.C. Latham, Peter Skoronski, and Lloyd Cushenberry have more good reps than bad reps, and the trio looks like they are going to be something to build around for the future.
While there was some optimism that the right side would rise to the occasion, the results so far have been lackluster, left everyone wondering if right guard and right tackle are going to be the positions that hold the Titans back this season.
The right guard position may be settled by default following Saahdiq Charles' shocking retirement. Charles was listed as the starter on the initial depth chart released by the Titans, but they'll now pivot in the wake of his surprising departure.
Last week, Dillon Radunz got reps at right guard when Charles was absent from practice for "personal reasons."
Leroy Watson and Dillon Radunz getting their turn at first team right side.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) July 31, 2024
Radunz filled in with the starters. It deserves to be noted that Sam Phalen of AtoZ Sports had this to say about the protection on Saturday compared to other days:
"Titans fans will be happy to know that quarterback Will Levis and the offense looked much improved on Saturday. The pass protection had been noticeably been to begin camp, even after the pads went on, but Levis had more time to throw on Saturday and was pushing the ball down the field more frequently than he was before."
Before his retirement, Charles looked like a lock to win the starting job at right guard, but he no longer factors into the equation. On the bright side, the collective arguably performed better in his absence during Saturday's practice. It's now Radunz's job to lose.
The other position up for grabs is the right tackle spot.
Despite John Ojukwu getting positive feedback from Callahan early in training camp, it seems like Nicholas Petit-Frere quickly took back his starting role.
After missing OTAs, minicamp, and the first week of training camp with different injuries, it only took three practices for Petit-Frere to recapture momentum as the team's potential starting right tackle.
Petit-Frere may be the clear-cut winner at right tackle for the Titans. If he struggles, it's difficult to see the team finding a solution internally. That means that either Petit-Frere is going to be the right tackle in Week 1, or the Titans are going to sign or trade for a proven veteran that can hold down the position.
The exciting thing is, with the addition of Quandre Diggs on Sunday, Ran Carthon has shown that he won't settle for what is on the roster if he thinks he can sign a veteran to upgrade a position of need. That is a winning mindset as a GM and it means anything is possible for this team going forward.