Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi immediately revamped the linebackers on the roster upon his appointment. Borgonzi moved on from four off-ball linebackers who played defensive snaps for the Titans last season. Most notably, he traded 2024 snap leader Kenneth Murray for draft capital. Jerome Baker, Luke Gifford, and Jack Gibbens were among the departures in free agency.
Cody Barton was signed in free agency to lead the position group forward. Barton was as advertised at OTAs and mandatory minicamp, quickly establishing himself as a leader. He even intercepted rookie quarterback Cam Ward twice, displaying his smarts in coverage.
The other linebacker spot will be decided in a training camp competition between sophomores James Williams and Cedric Gray. Third-year defender Otis Reese IV and rookie UDFA David Gbenda are also hoping to make an impression. There's a clear favorite heading into camp.
Williams took his first defensive snap in Week 15. A safety-to-linebacker convert and rookie seventh-round pick, the former Miami Hurricanes standout ended up totaling just 111 plays (and another 264 on special teams, where he first earned his stripes). Williams displayed the type of raw athleticism worth further exploring.
Expect major leap for James Williams in 2025
As a former secondary defender, Williams possesses elite sideline to sideline range. His ability to stack-and-shed blockers improved with more playing time. Although the sample size is limited, Williams looked like a starting-caliber linebacker in his three NFL starts.
Veteran linebackers coach Frank Bush should continue developing Williams' instincts at training camp. It's the more traditional aspects of playing linebacker that Williams is still acclimating to. Understandably so, given his lack of NFL experience, paired with being less than two years into a position change.
Williams' athleticism is tailor-made for DC Dennard Wilson's defensive concepts. He's explosive with a violent trigger, which is among the prerequisites for terrific linebacker play. Having an experienced figure like Barton to learn from this offseason isn't the worst situation in the world either.
Williams will enter training camp with a wide-open opportunity to earn a starting gig opposite Barton. Gray was the higher-drafted player, but the 2024 tape strongly indicated Williams was the more developed defender with higher athletic upside.
The Titans didn't do much to strengthen their linebacking corps this offseason. It's starting to look like their in-house faith in Williams' development is a big reason why.