As the old adage goes: "Preseason games may not count, but they do matter." These are the games in which coaches see how unproven players perform in live situations, fringe players can secure roster spots, and perhaps most importantly, we all get to see how well draft picks transform into NFL players. Through the first two preseason games, some Titans rookies have already flashed brilliance, while others have been underwhelming.
With only one exhibition game remaining, we ask what each member of the draft class still needs to prove before the games really count.
Round 1 (No. 1 overall): Cam Ward
Through only five total series across two preseason games, Cam Ward has already done enough to solidify his spot as QB1 and strengthen fans' confidence in him as the future of the franchise. His lackluster stat lines (7-of-15 for 109 yards across two starts) do not tell the whole story, and anyone who watched him play understands why. The poise, arm talent, pocket presence, and athleticism were all on display, even if his receivers occasionally let him down.
There is certainly still room for development, and that is to be expected. Ward's footwork and timing need to improve, but that should come with experience and coaching. Many teams elect not to play starters in the final preseason game, so whether Ward even suits up against the Vikings on Friday may indicate how much confidence the staff have in his readiness to take the reins when the games actually count.
Round 2 (No. 52 overall): Oluwafemi Oladejo
Similarly to Ward, Oladejo's pre-draft analysis has proven accurate so far, especially the most common adjective used to describe him: raw. Oladejo's athleticism and potential is obvious, but he will need more time to adjust to playing on the edge. He spent most of his collegiate career as an off-ball linebacker (switching to EDGE in his final year at UCLA), and the hope that he could immediately bolster the Titans' pass rush is diminishing.
In the first two preseason games, Oladejo has struggled to get past NFL blockers and pressure opposing QBs. He will need to prove he can win in passing situations to climb the depth chart or earn more time as a rotational pass rusher. On the other hand, his versatility could be an asset in the regular season, as Dennard Wilson could utilize him as a defensive chess piece, deploying him at multiple positions along the front seven.
Round 3 (No. 82 overall): Kevin Winston Jr.
Winston was considered a steal when the Titans nabbed him the third round. Had it not been for an ACL injury that ended his final season at Penn State, Winston almost certainly would have gone much earlier. Unfortunately, that injury appears to be lingering, and we have seen little of the third-rounder on the practice field and none in the preseason. In fact, Coach Callahan decided to shut down Winston for precautionary reasons after an apparent flare-up in practice prior to the trip to Atlanta. Hopefully we will see him on the field soon.