The Tennessee Titans had a busy offseason and are in the midst of going through some major changes. With a new head coach in Brian Callahan, Tennessee will be utilizing a pass-first offense for the first time in roughly 20 years. Additionally, the 2024 rookie class should be making a large impact on this team next season.
So much so, the Titans may have selected three starters with their first three picks of the NFL Draft. The front office only had three selections in the first four rounds but they made the most of it. JC Latham is looking like a sure-fire stud ahead of training camp while T'Vondre Sweat has shown some major athleticism for his size.
However, we're taking a look at the sleeper rookie for the Titans this upcoming season. The front office selected a total of seven rookies from this year's class. We should expect both Latham and Sweat to make an impact during their rookie campaigns. But there's one rookie who has a chance to shake things up on the roster as a later-round pick. With that said, here is the Titans' best rookie sleeper for the 2024 NFL season.
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Cedric Gray is the Titans' best rookie sleeper
Cedric Gray was selected in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. Many believed he was going to be taken in round three but he somehow fell to early round four and the Titans snagged him. Gray has a real chance of playing meaningful time right away as Tennessee needed an inside linebacker heading into the Draft.
Gray attended the University of North Carolina and proved to be a tackle-machine during his time in college. He played as a starter in three of his four years and finished his collegiate career with 368 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and fumble recoveries, and five interceptions. Cedric Gray excels in stopping the run but has the ability to play in pass coverage as well.
The Titans rookie linebacker should serve as an excellent complement to Kenneth Murray, who signed with the team during free agency. Murray has the speed and athleticism to stop the run but is a liability in the passing game. Cedric Gray should be able to take over as the main pass coverage option at linebacker while Murray can focus on his strengths.
Additionally, Cedric Gray is in competition to wear the green dot on the Titans' defense. If he earns the right to do so, then Tennessee very well could have a future stud on their hands. That would mean a fourth-round rookie linebacker would have all of the sideline communication with the coaching staff.
It'll be interesting to see how Gray's career plays out. Typically, a linebacker taken in round four tends to start his career on special teams. But considering the Titans have a glaring hole at inside linebacker we should see Eric Gray on the field often on the defense. Of course, the starting job is not a guarantee, as he's in direct competition with Jack Gibbens.
The Titans did a great job of improving the interior defensive line. Jeffery Simmons leads the way with T'Vondre Sweat and Sebastian Joseph-Day serving as sidekicks. Sweat has the potential of becoming a star. So, having those big bodies are only going to help Cedric Gray develop his game. If Tennessee can land an exciting safety out of free agency, such as Justin Simmons, then that would be another helpful asset for Gray.
Tennessee has a chance to have a substantially improved defense next season. That'll be especially true if Cedric Gray proves to be the sleeper rookie the Titans need to improve.
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