The Tennessee Titans exited the 2023 NFL Draft with an enticing haul. Aside from instant starter Peter Skoronski, the team attempted to draft their future quarterback in Will Levis, and also nabbed a potential playmaker in Tyjae Spears. Fast forward to 2025 and the shine hasn't somewhat worn off. Skoronski continues to improve into a high-end starting guard, but the Levis experiment failed miserably, and Spears dealt with injury in 2024. Looking deeper into the 2023 draft, one of those prospects is at risk of being left off the 53-man roster next season.
The Titans drafted offensive tackle Jaelyn Duncan in the sixth round because they hoped he could develop into a future solution on the offensive line. This made sense when you take into account that he flashed big-time potential at Maryland, and was once considered a potential first-round pick. Unfortunately, the Silver Spring native hasn't strung together any consistency through two seasons.
Duncan suffered a hamstring injury in a Week 7 start versus the Buffalo Bills that derailed a major opportunity. Now, Duncan finds himself in an uphill battle to make the team in 2025.
Why the Titans may move on from Jaelyn Duncan
Dan Moore Jr. and JC Latham are the unquestioned starters heading into the season. New GM Mike Borgonzi gave Moore Jr. a four-year contract worth more than $80 million, and the Titans are moving sophomore first-round pick Latham to his more natural right tackle position. Free-agent addition Blake Hance is battling for the swing reserve position, and UDFA Brendon Crenshaw-Dickson will push Duncan for a roster spot.
Duncan played just 39 offensive snaps in 2024. He played nearly 400 snaps as a rookie in 2023, earning a pass-pro grade of 53.3 from Pro Football Focus while allowing nine sacks and 36 pressures. Borgonzi didn't draft Duncan, and head coach Brian Callahan didn't either, meaning there's no guarantee he'll make the roster.
There's no doubt that Duncan has a few things working against him. For starters, the new regime inherited him, so they possess no attachment to him. The fact that he was a Day 3 pick also hurts. Hance joined the Titans in free agency and previously played under offensive line coach Bill Callahan. Crenshaw-Dickson received a sizable signing bonus for an undrafted player, indicating the Titans are displeased with Duncan and other swing-tackle candidates.
Duncan is firmly on the 90-man roster. Borgonzi possesses little incentive to release him until training camp and the preseason is over. Duncan will receive an opportunity to make a good impression. More importantly, though, he must prove he's 100 percent healthy while competing with Hance, Crenshaw-Dickson, and John Ojukwu.
As of now, nobody will bat an eye if Duncan is released at final cuts.