The Tennessee Titans selected tight end Josh Whyle in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The thought was that he'd eventually develop into a useful contributor. After an injury-riddled rookie season, expectations were far higher for his sophomore campaign.
There was even chatter that Whyle could supplant Chig Okonkwo as the team's top tight end last offseason. That projection came nowhere near fruition. Despite playing a full 17-game season, Whyle was the Titans' third-most snapped TE (345), trailing Okonkwo (665) and veteran blocker Nick Vannett (399).
Whyle's impact was minimal. Despite sporting a 6-foot-7, 250-pound (approximate) frame, he hasn't been a consistent passing-game producer. Whyle recorded just 28 receptions for 248 yards and one touchdown last season. Two touchdowns in two campaigns is disappointing given his size advantage in the red-zone.
And if the Titans hoped Whyle would develop into a long-term blocking tight end, well, the results were inconsistent there too. Pro Football Focus assigned him a run-blocking grade of 49.5 in 2024. It was Vannett who often earned those specialist assignments. Occasionally, offensive lineman John Ojukwu entered the game in jumbo packages. It spoke volumes of the staff's lack of trust in Whyle to execute those assignments.
Entering his third training camp without a clear-cut role on the team, Whyle is at risk of being released.
Titans 2023 draft pick Josh Whyle is a training camp cut candidate
Vannett isn't returning to the 2025 Titans, but Whyle's pathway to relevance got steeper this offseason. General manager Mike Borgonzi drafted tight end Gunnar Helm in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Helm impressed throughout OTAs and minicamp, and projects to have a dual-use role as a blocker and pass catcher on offense this season.
That makes it difficult to pinpoint what Whyle's go-to trait is for the Titans. Okonkwo is the primary pass catcher in the room. Helm projects to be roughly as effective as Whyle as a blocker, but with more receiving upside. Outsider Thomas Odukoya is a better blocker, if the Titans intend on keeping a pure specialist. Sophomore UDFA David Martin-Robinson is said to have enjoyed an outstanding offseason phase, per Easton Freeze and Zach Lyons, and is gaining momentum for a roster spot.
Whyle hasn't established himself on the Titans. The dynamic of the tight end position changed when Helm was drafted, and when the GM who drafted Whyle (Ran Carthon) was fired.
Whyle faces an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster.