Three Players to Watch as Tennessee Titans Put on Pads This Week

The Tennessee Titans enter the second week of training camp and with the pads coming on, here are three players we need to keep our eye on.

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans will kick off their second week of training camp Monday, and it is time for the intensity to go to a new level. The pads will go on, and with that brings an increased physicality.

Here are some players to watch as the pads begin to pop.

Andre Dillard, Offensive Tackle

The biggest story of Titans' training camp so far has been the arrival and performance of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, but second on that list would be the Titans' defensive line and the constant pressure being created by the pass rushers, namely Arden Key.

One of the players who seems to have been victimized the most during this pass rush fever dream is Andre Dillard. Dillard was brought over from the Philadelphia Eagles. Dillard was a backup most of his career, but the Titans rolled the dice on the former-first rounder to see if he could be a starter.

By all accounts, Key has owned Dillard through one week, claiming he had "seven sacks" in one practice. However, the situation is set up for an offensive tackle to be at a disadvantage. With no pads and limited physicality, the athleticism of a pass rusher should shine. The pads are coming on though, and let's see if Dillard has more positive moments when he can leverage that physicality.

Kristian Fulton, Cornerback

Kristian Fulton has been one of the standouts from the first week of camp. He has been the victim of some awesome catches by Hopkins and Treylon Burks, but that's what happens when you have two good wide receivers(still feels weird to type that). 

Fulton has also had his fair share of winning reps and drew praise from head coach Mike Vrabel on back-to-back days over the weekend. Vrabel commended Fulton for the shape he is in not only from a conditioning standpoint, but for the muscle Fulton has now put on. 

Vrabel has said Fulton is playing at 195 pounds. and still has the athleticism he needs to get the job done, but now with the pads coming on, Fulton will have to add even more weight on to his frame. We will see if he can still move at the pace he needs. Also, Fulton has never been an overly-physical corner. With two physical receivers in Burks and Hopkins, can Fulton continue his streak of good play? We will see.

Kyle Philips, Wide Receiver

Kyle Philips is a player who dazzles without pads on. He's a smaller player who wins with quickness and benefits immensely from a lack of physicality. Philips tore up Titans' training camp last year with lightning-quick routes and strong hands. He is on pace to do so again this year.

Philips can create highlights in a non-padded environment, but as we saw during the regular season in 2022, physicality can lead to injury for Philips. Philips slammed down on his shoulder during a week one matchup against the Giants last season and he was never the same the rest of the year.

Philips has publicly stated he tried to put on more weight this offseason and has. It will be interesting to see if that added weight leads to increased durability. If Philips wants to have a long career in the NFL as a slot receiver, he will need to be able to withstand the beating he will take. 

Titans Training Camp Stories

• MALIK'S REVENGE: The Tennessee Titans second-year passer is under a ton of pressure, but Malik Willis responded very well to an interception with a long touchdown pass on the next play. CLICK HERE
• VRABEL PRAISES FULTON: The Tennessee Titans need a big year from cornerback Kristian Fulton and Saturday was a nice sign that he is ready to deliver just that. CLICK HERE
• OFFENSIVE TACKLES STRUGGLE: The Tennessee Titans' pass rush had a great day at training camp, but the flip side of that was the poor performance of the Titans' offensive tackles. CLICK HERE