Weeks into Tennessee Titans training camp, it appeared that sophomore linebacker James Williams was the clear-cut favorite to start this season next to Cody Barton. Williams consistently took first-team reps with the defense. It was until the mid-August joint practices with the Atlanta Falcons that fellow competitor Cedric Gray began getting run with the starting defense.
Gray then started the successive preseason tune-up versus the Falcons. The former North Carolina standout took full advantage of that opportunity, recording seven tackles and a sack. Gray also had an interception wiped out by offsetting penalties, but it still went down as a notable play in the film room.
The coaching staff has been consistently complimentary of Gray in recent weeks. He earned his second consecutive start against the Minnesota Vikings in Friday's exhibition finale. Gray was again outstanding, totaling five tackles while emerging as one of the team's biggest preseason winners.
Titans LB Cedric Gray a clear preseason winner
Gray's rookie season was completely derailed by injury. The 2024 third-round selection totaled just 48 defensive snaps after being declared healthy midseason. Gray made the occasional splash play, but routinely looked like a rookie who missed crucial reps during training camp and the preseason.
Gray began his second training camp in similar fashion. But the lightbulb has begun flickering in recent practice sessions and preseason contests, and Brian Callahan has rewarded him accordingly. Gray is seeing the field well right now, and he's triggering downhill with confidence and aggression.
Gray's development remains a work in progress. There's no guarantee he'll be named the starter over Williams, who had an interception on a tipped ball in Friday's preseason finale. But compared to how Gray began training camp, trailing Williams by a significant margin in their competition, his ability to make their battle a conversation highlights him as a big-time preseason winner.