Titans' linebacker room is at bottom of the league in latest ranking

The Tennessee Titans are set to begin their 2026 NFL regular season, with their concluding preseason game scheduled for this Saturday at 5:00 p.m. CST. Despite the team's efforts to revamp both its coaching staff and roster, there remain several areas of opportunity, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Among these, the team's linebacker room has been identified as one of their weakest points.

Returning starters Cedric Gray and Cody Barton are expected to anchor the linebacking corps, with Gray showing significant improvement in his second season, earning a PFF grade of 78.9. This improvement was largely due to his exceptional run-defense performance, which scored a 92.7. However, Gray's coverage grade remains a concern at 59.0. Barton, on the other hand, has struggled to maintain a consistent PFF grade, achieving a score above 60.0 only once throughout his NFL career.

The Titans' coaching staff and roster adjustments have generated optimism, yet the current state of the linebacker room remains a cause for concern. Potential roster cuts could affect players such as Anthony Hill Jr., Keldric Faulk, James Williams Sr., Truman Jones, and Mohamoud Diabate. While it is likely that Gray, Barton, and Hill will secure spots on the final 53-man roster, the remaining positions present ample room for improvement.