It is hard to believe that training camp is almost here, but this has been a whirlwind of an offseason for Tennessee Titans fans.
A new head coach, big free agency moves, a blockbuster trade, and a crucial draft have kept fans busy this offseason, and that isn't even including moves like signing Jamal Adams in the middle of July.
With major offseason dealings in our rearview mirror, attention shifts to training camp, which begins next week.
This is a crucial training camp for many players. Certain young talents need to make a good impression whereas some veterans need to solidify their place on the roster. Others need to prove they can get on the field and stay there.
Let's take a look at the offensive players who have the most on the line as we head into training camp.
Saahdiq Charles, RG
If you aren't expecting Saahdiq Charles to start at right guard this season, you haven't been paying attention.
All of the signs are there, and if that is who Bill Callahan wants to see at right guard, then who am I to disagree?
Charles has had some up-and-down tape in the past that is slightly concerning, but there is a bigger issue that the Titans need to worry about. Like a lot of the new additions, Charles has health concerns and that is one of the reasons why he was available in free agency.
If Charles wins the job, he Titans will have Dillon Radunz and Daniel Brunskill backing him up. If Charles can't stay healthy throughout training camp, he might lose his chance to start this season.
Size and power are the emphasis in the middle of the offensive line this year. The big-bodied Charles offers those traits in bunches, but Callahan will need to make contingency plans if Charles can't string together a few weeks of full-contact practices.
Treylon Burks, WR
This is a make-or-break season for Treylon Burks in Tennessee.
No matter what happens, Burks is an affordable receiver with size and the ability to make big plays when he is on the field. However, he will be a backup this season behind the veteran trio of DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, and Tyler Boyd.
The real question for Burks is whether he will be active on game day and that comes down to two things.
First and foremost, can Burks stay healthy and prove that the Titans can rotate Hopkins (and possibly Boyd) for a handful of snaps per game without being concerned about a massive dropoff at the "X" position? If Burks can do that, then he will be a lock to make the game day roster.
If he can't do that, then Burks is going to have to prove that he can be a great special teams player. Whether we're talking returns, kick coverage, or punt coverage, Burks has to make himself indispensable to the Titans.
Burks will probably never be what fans want out of a first-round receiver, but there is no crying over spilled milk. The Titans now have to focus on getting the most out of him for the next two seasons, and that starts in training camp.
Jha'Quan Jackson, WR
While Treylon Burks has to prove that he can play special teams, there are other ways that he could make his way to the game-day roster. That probably isn't the case for rookie sixth-round receiver Jha'Quan Jackson.
With Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins, Tyler Boyd, Burks, Kyle Philips, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine on the roster, Jackson may not receive that many opportunities to make plays on offense in training camp. He is going to have to make a splash on special teams if he wants to see the field with consistency this season.
Jackson will have to beat out other options for the returner job, but that gig is his path to making an impact as a rookie.
I don't want to get too far ahead of myself considering Jackson is a Day Three rookie, but the Titans don't have a long-term solution at slot receiver considering Boyd is playing on a one-year contract. Jackson possesses the kind of twitch in his game that could see him develop into an option in the slot. Thriving as the returner this season could make a good impression on the staff.
From there, Jackson could focus on locking down a job at receiver. But, the first domino that needs to fall is winning the return job(s) in training camp.
Chig Okonkwo, TE
If Chig Okonkwo had started off well last season, fan sentiment and his outlook would be wildly different.
I have said it before and I will say it again, in Okonkwo's last eight games last season, he had 27 receptions for 328 yards, a touchdown, and only two drops.
Remember, the Titans' offense was one of the most pass-averse offenses in the NFL, so those are really solid numbers. For comparison, DeAndre Hopkins was the Titans' leading receiver throughout that time frame and he only had 37 receptions for 466 yards and four touchdowns.
This season, the Titans are going to pass the ball early and often. There have been times in Okonkwo's short career where he has seemed like he could be one of the most dangerous pass-catching tight ends in the NFL.
It wouldn't shock me if Okonkwo ends up taking some of Tyler Boyd's snaps at slot receiver by the end of the season. Okonkwo must showcase a third-year leap in training camp. A lackluster training camp period could give second-year tight end Josh Whyle a chance to steal the TE1 job because of his massive frame and deceptively soft hands.
There are a wide range of outcomes for Okonkwo, but Titans fans should be hoping that he gives Brian Callahan a reason to feature him in the passing attack this season.
Nicholas Petit-Frere, RT
This should be straightforward for Nicholas Petit-Frere. The Titans spent the offseason assembling one of the most promising LT-LG-C trios in the NFL and they hired the best offensive line coach to oversee it. All eyes are going to be on the left side of the line and all Petit-Frere has to do is repeat his solid, but unspectacular rookie campaign at right tackle.
However, it's difficult to project that right now because he didn't practice during OTAs and minicamp. He missed that time while presumably rehabbing last season's shoulder injury. A lot is riding on Petit-Frere since the Titans didn't really address the position via free agency or the draft.
If the former Ohio State blocker can get on the field quickly at training camp, he could be a big asset to the Titans even if he performs at just a league-average rate. Playing on the offensive line isn't something you can get better at without hitting something or someone, so Petit-Frere needs to get on the field in a hurry, or the Titans need to find someone to replace him.