Five undrafted rookies who could make the Tennessee Titans roster in training camp

NASHVILLE - Depending on where you're at in your NFL career, training camp is either a chance to get ready for the regular season or a chance to prove you belong in the league.

Training camp rosters start with 90 players, but are quickly cut down to 53 before the regular season begins. For the players on the outside looking in, which is usually the case with undrafted rookies, landing a spot on the 53 is a tall order.

But every year, there's one or two surprises who shine bright in camp and make the team. Here's a look at five undrafted rookies who could do that this season for the Tennessee Titans that I'll be watching closely during training camp.

CB Gabe Jeudy-Lally

After an impressive stretch in OTAs that landed him on-field opportunities with the starting defense, former Vanderbilt Commodores and Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally seems well positioned to make the 53-man roster.

"Coming to Nashville, I didn't have to worry about other things because I've been here before. I just get to focus on football," said Jeudy-Lally about his return to Nashville after a Titans practice in June.

Jeudy-Lally has good size and length at cornerback. His long arms and measurables make him valuable on the perimeter and demonstrate a high ceiling. He's someone who could have a big enough impact on special teams to crack the roster while exciting defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson with his physical tools and motor.

The rookie has already started to earn the respect of his veteran teammates in the secondary, which is a good sign.

"He's really smart. Really keen to the game. He's a student of the game and always asking questions. I see him after practice every day trying to get better. As a rookie, he's doing everything correctly," veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie told A to Z Sports. "He's giving himself the best opportunity to be great this year and really have an impact on this team. We see it as veterans. In a new system, everybody is equal. It doesn't matter if you're a rookie or a veteran, whoever gets it the fastest is going to be given more reps."

RB Dillon Johnson

Former Washington Huskies running back Dillon Johnson ran for 1,195 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2023 as his team made a run to the College Football National  Championship Game for the first time in over 100 years of program history.

While he racked up big numbers in his fourth collegiate season, the 23-year-old running back was not very high on draft boards. Johnson is far from the fastest running back you'll find. He was clocked at 4.68 seconds in the 40-yard dash and scouts grew concerned that he would not be able to outrun defenders in the second level of a defense.

Johnson signed as an undrafted free agent with the Titans following the 2024 NFL Draft, and I think he could bring something unique to Tennessee's roster.

Tyjae Spears and Tony Pollard will dominate the opportunities in the backfield this season, but the Titans will likely keep three running backs on the initial 53-man roster. Both Spears and Pollard are smaller, shiftier backs with the ability to both pass protect and catch balls out of the backfield. Johnson could be a bigger, stronger, power back alternative to Tennessee's current tandem.

While Johnson doesn't run all that well, he's listed at a solid 217 pounds and hit the bench press for 24 reps before the NFL Draft. There's no question he's strong and is tough to bring down one-on-one. His vision and physicality helped him consistently move the chains in college, and it could be something that lands him a spot over Hassan Haskins or Julius Chestnut on the Titans' roster.

RB Jabari Small

Jabari Small was never the featured running back in Knoxville under Josh Heupel, but the 22-year-old showed enough promise in his time with the Vols to get signed by the Titans following the 2024 NFL Draft.

Over his final three seasons at Tennessee, Small ran for 2,001 yards and 24 touchdowns. That includes 734 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2022, although his production decreased in 2023.

Small has a compact frame and runs with good burst. You'll never say he's not running hard and he's shifty enough to make linebackers miss.

Because of his running style, I think Small is more of a longshot than Johnson is to make the Titans' 53-man roster, but he's definitely going to be someone who is fun to watch in training camp and could prove a lot of people wrong.

G Cole Spencer

Cole Spencer was considered one of the top talents on the interior offensive line that went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft before signing with the Titans for $75,000 guaranteed. Any time there's that much money attached to a UDFA contract, you know there's a path to the roster.

Spencer's age, 25, was a big factor in him not being selected in the draft, but the former Texas Tech guard met directly with offensive line coach Bill Callahan at the Titans' local Pro Day before signing a nice undrafted rookie deal with Tennessee.

At the Big 12 Pro Day, Spencer showed elite athleticism with 4.87 40-yard dash time and 30.5-inch vertical leap.

The Titans still have a lot of question marks on the offensive line and there are jobs up for grabs. The entire right side of Tennessee's line remains a mystery and the lack of interior offensive line depth could open the door for Spencer to crack the roster as a backup guard or center. If Bill Callahan likes him and he impresses in camp, he'll make the team. You can take that to the bank.

OLB Khalid Duke

Outside linebacker Khalid Duke led the team with a career-high six sacks for the Kansas State Wildcats in 2023. That production earned him second-team All-Big 12 Conference honors and an undrafted free agent contract with the Tennessee Titans.

Duke has the length and bend coming off the edge that NFL teams covet, but needs to add some size and play strength if he's going to make the transition to the next level. He's a pass rushing project with intriguing upside that could be valuable on special teams for Tennessee as a rookie.

If Duke can beat out Thomas Rush, Caleb Murphy, and Jaylen Harrell in training camp, he could earn the fourth roster spot for outside linebackers behind Landry, Key, and Weaver. He probably lands on Tennessee's practice squad, but when it comes to the last few roster spots, the criteria at play may be more than just defensive production.

Related: Titans wide receiver depth chart and roster predictions before training camp