The Tennessee Titans entered training camp searching for their swing offensive tackle behind starters Dan Moore Jr. and JC Latham. There are a ton of contenders fighting for that spot. A recent Titans draft pick left for dead may be emerging as a roster favorite.
The Titans selected offensive tackle Jaelyn Duncan with a sixth-round selection in 2022. Duncan played 365 snaps as a rookie, struggling mightily. The former Maryland standout earned a lackluster pass-blocking grade of 29.2 from Pro Football Focus in his first year.
Duncan made the 53-man roster again last season as a sophomore, but couldn't stay healthy. Every time the Titans tried giving him an extended look at a struggling right tackle position, he'd swiftly get injured and waste his opportunity. Duncan earned just 39 snaps as a result, and entered this year's camp firmly on the roster bubble.
Now after a handful of impressive practices, there's hope Duncan isn't done in Nashville yet.
Titans OT Jaelyn Duncan impressing at training camp
The Titans held their first padded practice of training camp earlier this week. The presence of pads intensifies the physicality at practice, which is especially notable when evaluating offensive lineman. Duncan has been stellar in multiple sessions in a row.
Duncan got the better of Titans rookie EDGE rusher Femi Oladejo during a one-on-one drill at Tuesday's practice in pads, per Turron Davenport. That was notable. Pass-protection drills tend to favor the pass rusher, and Oladejo is building hype and excitement as an explosive second-rounder.
Duncan carried that momentum over to Wednesday's padded practice as well. The collective opinion was that the offensive line won pass-rushing drills for a second straight practice. Duncan received praise for his performance on social media by local reporter JT Ruhnke.
A number of offensive tackles are fighting for the roster spots behind Moore and Latham. Rookie UDFA Brendon Crenshaw-Dickson and roster mainstay John Ojukwu are also in the mix. Free-agent add Blake Hance, who has guard-tackle flexibility, missed numerous practices earlier this week with a calf injury. Duncan has been taking advantage.
Don't overreact to a few padded practices, but the Titans have maintained their curiosity on Duncan, rostering him through his string of injuries. The third-year blocker is getting an opportunity at camp and he's impressing the staff. Duncan might be practicing his way onto this years' 53-man roster.