With Tennessee Titans training camp just days away, we keep chugging right along with our positional previews (we’re cutting it close, I know), with the linebacker position being up next.
The Titans are set to have two new full-time starters in 2023 after the team parted ways with both David Long and Zach Cunningham this offseason.
Monty Rice got a taste of being a full-time starter while one or both were hurt during the 2022 campaign, and he’s projected to get the nod in 2023 alongside newcomer, Azeez Al-Shaair.
However, neither player has a ton of experience as a full-time starter in this league, making linebacker arguably the biggest question mark on the defensive side of the ball.
Aside from the acquisition of Al-Shaair, the Titans also signed Ben Niemann and Luke Gifford. In addition, they have Jack Gibbens and Chance Campbell returning for Year 2.
Here’s a look at the roster locks at the position and competitions set to take place, as well as a prediction for how things will ultimately shake out.
Roster locks
Roster locks: Azeez Al-Shaair, Monty Rice, Ben Niemann, Luke Gifford
I’ve been back and forth on guys like Ben Niemann and Luke Gifford being locks here, but I think their experience over the guys who we’ll list on the bubble gives them a massive advantage.
Not to mention, if the Titans had that much confidence in guys like Chance Campbell and Jack “Dr. Gibby” Gibbens, I doubt both veterans would have been brought in.
On the bubble
On the bubble: Jack Gibbens, Chance Campbell, Otis Reese IV (UDFA)
Campbell missed his entire rookie campaign due to injury and is the biggest wild card of the guys on the bubble, as well as one of the more forgotten guys on this roster.
I’d actually consider Gibbens the favorite of these three to earn a spot, seeing as how he has some actual NFL snaps under his belt and played fairly well in five games (two starts) last season.
A 2023 undrafted free-agent signing, Reese faces the biggest uphill climb in making the cut and the best he can hope for realistically is a spot on the practice squad — and even that is a long shot.
The competitions
Battle for starting LB
I would be shocked if Al-Shaair didn’t land a starting job, as he’s by far the best player at the position on this roster, barring a big jump from either Gifford or Rice.
Rice, on the other hand, is less certain, although I consider him the favorite. His stiffest competition will likely come from Niemann, who has a decent amount of starting experience and is a very reliable tackler.
Gifford is a wild card, as GM Ran Carthon believes he has a chance to be a starter in this league, but he also has zero career starts under his belt and just 74 defensive snaps in total over four seasons. Gifford is an excellent special teams player, though, and will secure a role there if nothing else.
The battle for LB5 (if there is one)
In order for Campbell, Gibbens or Reese to make the cut, the Titans will have to suffer an injury to one of the aforementioned locks, or carry a fifth linebacker, which I don’t see as likely.
If that does happen, pencil in Gibbens as my favorite thanks to his advantage in experience, but Campbell is right there with him. Reese, on the other hand, needs a miracle.
All three must show out big time on special teams for the Titans to even consider carrying an extra linebacker.
53-man prediction
53-man prediction: Azeez Al-Shaair, Monty Rice, Ben Niemann, Luke Gifford
There’s a good chance we’ll see all four of these guys get defensive snaps this year, but for now I believe Al-Shaair and Rice will be the starters. Niemann will mix in more than Gifford, and both will play key roles on special teams.
The issue with these four is none of them have a positive history in coverage, so that could be an issue if they are relied upon in that area.
The Titans will try to keep Gibbens and/or Campbell on the practice squad, but both will have to pass through waivers upon being cut. If neither do, Reese will likely make his way to the practice squad.
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