The Tennessee Titans will hold several OTA workouts at the end of May and beginning of June. With rookie minicamp now in our rearview mirror, potential prospects to make the Titans’ final-53 man roster from the ever-churning wave of undrafted free agents are beginning to emerge.
While all of these projections are far too early, one name that qualifies as particularly intriguing is former Texas linebacker David Gbenda.
A six-year player at Texas, Gbenda recorded 33 tackles (including five tackles for losses) throughout the 2024 season. He was a strong contributor in a crowded Texas linebacker rotation.
What role does David Gbenda play?
While Gbenda slipped through the cracks of the 2025 NFL Draft, that doesn’t mean there isn’t upside to his game. Despite playing at a significantly undersized 6-foot and 235 pounds, he carved out his role in Texas’ defense as a rotational run-fitting linebacker.
The former Longhorn excels as an early-down off-ball linebacker. Making up for his lackluster size, Gbenda’s range, quick trigger and instinctive play style gives him a unique skillset as a run defender.
While his smaller frame may prove to be an issue at the NFL level, Gbenda’s ability to not only avoid, but also shed blockers at the second level will directly translate to his projected role in Tennessee’s defense.
What is Gbenda's path to making the Titans' final 53-man roster?
In addition to what he provides as a player, Gbenda’s path to making the Titans’ 53-man roster is made even clearer due to Tennessee’s dangerously barren linebacker room. After adding Cody Barton and trading Kenneth Murray during free agency, the second inside linebacker spot has been a topic of heavy debate during the offseason.
While 2024 draft picks Cedric Gray and James Williams have both shown flashes of potential at the position, no clear suitor has emerged from the group. It’s far too early to begin expecting UDFAs in rookie minicamp to take on significant snaps, but the path to being a contributor to Tennessee’s linebacker rotation is one of little resistance.
Why did Gbenda go undrafted?
Despite having draftable grades from analysts across the media, Gbenda did slip through the cracks on draft day for a reason. Being a six-year player at Texas, his older age didn’t help his draft stock. His aforementioned size concerns are certainly the biggest red flag on his scouting report.
In addition to that, Gbenda was virtually never asked to play a coverage role in Texas’ defensive scheme. His size mixed with his lack of tape in pass coverage leaves him with a worryingly niche role (even if it is one Tennessee could use).
Why Gbenda could make the final roster
Fans should always remain wary of placing any expectations on UDFAs (especially before training camp arrives), but Gbenda’s film undoubtedly backs up the buzz he has received thus far. Out of the wide net of undrafted players Tennessee has cast, his skill set paired with Tennessee's razor-thin linebacker depth gives him one of the more realistic chances at seeing his name on the Titans’ final 53-man roster.