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The Tennessee Titans are entering a new era under Robert Saleh. The defensive genius will be tasked with turning around a franchise that desperately needs a new identity. Fortunately, the roster is already looking better after just one offseason.
Next up for the Titans is training camp, which kicks off on July 23rd. This will be the first major test for Saleh, as he will be tasked with finding the players who fit the identity he wants to create in Tennessee.
Who could be the first cap casualties of the Saleh regime?
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Five Titans players stand out as obvious cut candidates heading into training camp.
Michael Carter, Kalel Mullings, and Julius Chestnut will all be competing for one roster spot
The running back position should be one of the biggest priorities for Tennessee to upgrade after the 2026 season. The Titans currently have several players on the roster, many of whom could be gone at this time next year.
Tennessee looks comfortable starting the tandem of Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears once again this fall. They will be assisted by rookie Nicholas Singleton, who should be given opportunities to prove himself during training camp. But even Singleton is not a sure thing to stick around for a long time in Tennessee.
Regardless, every depth player behind those three backs could possibly be fighting for one remaining roster spot.
That means Michael Carter, Kalel Mullings, and Julius Chestnut will be players to watch during training camp and the preseason.
If the Titans simply want the easiest path to production, then Carter is their best bet. Carter is a dual-threat running back who can put up solid production as a backup. He logged 92 carries for 333 rushing yards and a touchdown in Arizona last season. Carter also added 33 receptions for 267 receiving yards through the air.
Meanwhile, Mullings and Chestnut are more of power running backs.
Mullings was a bruiser in college at Michigan, but he has yet to get battle tested in the NFL. Tennessee does not have another back quite like him, which could help Mullings carve out a job as a short-yardage back.
Chestnut has been battle tested and never made much of an impact during his four years in the league. He was a favorite of the old regime, which won’t have any bearing on this new coaching staff.
The writing is on the wall that only one of these players will make the final roster.
This camp battle could come down to the very last minute, so Titans fans should keep an eye on it throughout the rest of the summer.
The Titans don’t need a receiver like K.J. Osborn anymore
Tennessee deserves credit for aggressively fixing the wide receiver position over the past two offseasons. But the Titans did most of that hard work after Saleh’s regime took over.
The Titans started off by signing Wan’Dale Robinson to a $78 million contract following his breakout 2025 season with the Giants. He should handle slot duties for the Titans over the next few seasons and become Cam Ward’s new security blanket.
Tennessee made an even bigger investment in the 2026 NFL Draft, adding Carnell Tate with the fourth overall pick. Tate projects as an alpha wide receiver who suddenly gives the Titans a new identity on offense.
Add in Calvin Ridley, Elic Ayomanor, and Chimere Dike and the Titans actually have a complete wide receiver room.
Unfortunately, that could mean the end of the road for veteran K.J. Osborn.
Osborn signed with the Titans back in April. He had three impressive season in Minnesota from 2021-23 but has yet to find a new home since. Now the 29-year-old veteran faces an uphill battle to make the roster as a sixth wide receiver.
The biggest issue for Osborn is getting his spot stolen by a young, more promising receiver. Tennessee already has someone like that in the building.
Third-year receiver Bryce Oliver has a better chance than Osborn to win a WR6 job. Oliver can contribute on special teams, has a cheap contract, and will be a restricted free agent next spring. That essentially gives him a role as primarily a special teamer who could step in at receiver if needed.
Ultimately, Oliver’s utility, youth, and cheap contract should make him more attractive than Osborn.
Could Anthony Hill Jr. win a starting job over James Williams?
One common theme every August is rookie stars playing their way into starting jobs well ahead of schedule.
This happens every season as a handful of rookies make an immediate impact during training camp. The same thing could happen on Tennessee’s defense over the next month.
The Titans used a second-round pick on linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. back in April. That is a serious investment in a defensive player, speaking to Saleh’s confidence in the young rookie. But when looking at Tennessee’s depth chart, he doesn’t currently project as a starter ahead of training camp.
Cedric Gray, Cody Barton, and James Williams project as starters at off-ball linebacker in Tennessee’s base defense.
But what if Hill shows that he deserves to be on the field during camp?
Ideally, Hill will eventually become the starting middle linebacker in Saleh’s defense. But that will almost certainly be Barton in 2026.
The most likely scenario is that Hill unseats Williams as a starter on early downs. He could also earn some reps on third downs in a rotational role, too.
There’s always a chance that Williams, a converted safety, could earn a role on passing downs as a coverage specialist. But his roster spot will be completely up in the air if Hill balls out like expected during training camp.
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