I’m a couple of days late in getting to this, but some people have reached out asking what I made of the first depth chart, so I figured, “hey – might as well run a post on it.” It’s that time of the year, folks. Training camp is well underway in Nashville, and we’ve now caught a glimpse of the first Tennessee Titans depth chart of the year:
#Titans’ initial, unofficial depth chart. pic.twitter.com/ANBHLWYscZ
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) August 6, 2018
My initial thoughts on this: don’t be beholden to this depth chart. It’s probably not worth the paper it’s printed on. First round draft pick Rashaan Evans is hurt, as are Jack Conklin and Rishard Matthews. Their health would alter this document considerably. Kenny Vacarro is already out there running with the first team. And, make no mistake – this secondary is going to consist of Malcolm Butler and Adoree Jackson on the outside with Logan Ryan in the slot, and those guys are going to rotate, too. Plus, you never when coaches are using the depth chart as a smokescreen to motivate someone – maybe you want to get a little extra out of a guy so you put him lower on the pecking order. I don’t know that Mike Vrabel is that type of guy, but it’s possible.
But, all that said, I did find three things on this depth chart telling of how certain players are coming along.
Harold Landry – With Brian Orakpo out, Landry has seen an increase in workload. But, by all accounts, things have been positive. He’s making plays, and the practice opposite Taylor Lewan has served him well. So, why are Josh Carraway and Aaron Wallace both ahead of him on the depth chart? Wallace has plenty of potential. He’s taken advantage of opportunities given to him in previous seasons. I liked Carraway a lot as a developmental prospect coming out of TCU, but he hasn’t progressed further than a quality depth guy and practice squad mainstay. So, what gives? Why is Landry behind both guys? Or, is this a case of the first depth chart’s worthlessness?
Darius Jennings – At one point, it looked Jennings was going to be that receiver that stepped up and earned a roster spot. There’s a group of five to eight guys who are competing for that fifth or sixth receiver spot. But, Jennings was having a great camp so far. Now, it looks like Brandon Shippen and Jordan Veasy have surpassed him. That puts him in a battle alongside Deontay Burnett, Nick Williams, and Devin Ross. But, for a guy who looked like the best of the group just a couple of weeks ago, it seems like a sudden drop.
Rico Gafford – Finally, we have to give a shout out to Gafford. That dude is just flat out scrappy, and he’s been one of the more fun stories of camp so far. That secondary is bursting at the seams with talent. He can make a difference on special teams, and appears poised to earn a roster spot.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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