Turning The Corner: Titans Youngsters Who Must Step Up

Entering 2023, the Tennessee Titans must have some big contributions from some young players on their roster.

NASHVILLE - When it comes to young, unproven players, the Tennessee Titans have them in spades, and if this 2023 version is to have a chance of outperforming expectations, a few of those youngsters will need to step up their games and play more prominent roles this season. 

It would be easy to say Treylone Burks or Nicholas Petite-Frere are two, and they are, but even if both of those players turn in All-Pro seasons, it likely won't be enough to make this team a contender. 

Granted, as it stands now, Burks is the key to the receiver room, and even if the Titans add a veteran to that group, Burks must still find a way to produce up to his first-round draft status. Likewise, Petite-Frere, as a second-year starter at right tackle, must take the next step in his maturation process and provide a solid season at that spot. 

That's the easy ones, but there must be more, including:

Kyle Phillips   

Almost as easy as Burks, but Phillips must stay healthy on the field and be able to produce to help alleviate some of the pressure on Burks, at least until the front office adds a veteran presence to accompany these two.

Roger McCreary

Granted, McCreary plays defense, but with the uncertainty surrounding Krisitan Fulton and his ability to stay healthy and on the field, and of Caleb Farley to play at all, it's up to McCreary to make the jump to the next level this season, as another corner along with Sean Murphy-Bunting.  

Jack Gibbens

While Monty Rice is the odds-on favorite to stand alongside Azezz Al-Shaair in the starting lineup, Gibbens, who became a favorite of his coaches last season, must be able to step up in the event Rice is injured or needs replacing. Even if Gibbens doesn't become a starter, his role as a depth player will be another key for this team. 

Jaelyn Duncan  

The massive former Maryland Terrapin has worked at both left and right tackle during his first offseason as a professional. He looks the part and has the strength, speed, and ability, but must continue to work to improve his technique. He must be able to fulfill his potential sooner rather than later and be ready to step into the fire if need be.  

Caleb Shudak or Cody Wolff

Both kickers, the second-year Shudak and rookie Wolff have looked good in the practices where the media was present, but one of the two (or both) must step up and grab the spot and hold onto it. There is, of course, a chance that the Titans could decide to keep the loser of the competition on the practice squad as insurance if the winner stumbles.   

Josh Whyle

A physical mismatch in the passing game, WHyle has made strides in the offseason program. Still, he must continue to grow and develop to provide this offense with a tall, middle-of-the-field athletic weapon to complement Chig Okonkwo. 

Colton Dowell, Reggie Roberson Jr., Kearis Jackson, Jacob Copeland, Tre'Shaun Harrison, or Gavin Holmes

While Dowell has the inside track because of his draft status against the field of undrafted's, it would be outstanding if one or more of these guys stepped forward, even if nothing more than as practice squad players this season, having them in camp through the offseason program, and into training camp and the season would mean that they know the offense and could step onto the field if need be.  

Yes, that's a lot of names, but if this team is going to improve, then some, if not all, of these players must contribute something this season, along with those veterans that are already being counted on for key roles in 2023.  

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