The Tennessee Titans began Organized Team Activities (OTAs) on Monday and Tuesday May 18/19. They’ll have four more OTA practices on the 21st, 26th, 27th, and 29th. The Titans will then reconvene in June for four more sessions (June 8-9, 11, 12) before mandatory minicamp (June 16-17).
OTAs offer Robert Saleh and his coaching staff their first opportunity to mix rookies with veterans in practice-like settings. No live contact (tackling) is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permitted.
We’ve seen clips of Cam Ward throwing the football in team drills to Carnell Tate, Gunnar Helm, Tony Pollard, and Tyjae Spears.
We’ve identified four young Titans (non-rookies) worth monitoring at OTAs.
Kevin Winston Jr.
The Titans are counting on sophomore safety Kevin Winston Jr. to be a full-time starter opposite Amani Hooker. They really don’t have any depth behind them. Winston began and finished his rookie season injured. In between, he performed admirably. The Titans need a sizable step (and availability) from him.
Femi Oladejo
Femi Oladejo is also entering a crucial sophomore season. The one early blemish on Mike Borgonzi’s resume, the pick wasn’t popular at the time and his rookie campaign didn’t do anything to prove the naysayers wrong. Coach Saleh has praised Oladejo during the offseason. Hopefully, he develops into a valuable defender on a crowded defensive line.
Elic Ayomanor
Elic Ayomanor is the forgotten man at wide receiver. The Titans added Carnell Tate and Wan’Dale Robinson. Calvin Ridley is also back, and Chimere Dike looked explosive and dynamic as a rookie. Does that make Ayomanor WR5? He had 41 catches for 515 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie.
Marcus Harris
Coach Saleh recently praised Marcus Harris unprompted. The sophomore defensive back out of Cal doesn’t really have any competition for the nickel cornerback spot. Harris appears primed to start inside with Cor’Dale Flott and Alontae Taylor defending the boundaries. He needs to be effective in the old Roger McCreary role.
