The list of Titans’ undrafted free agents may not immediately open the eyes of many fans, but odds are good a handful of players will become much more familiar over the next few months.
Just last season, the Titans got contributions from a number of their 2023 undrafted free agents, a group that included linebacker Otis Reese, edge rushers TK McLendon and Caleb Murphy, safety Matthew Jackson (Hillsboro High) and tackle John Ojukwu among others.
In recent years, the list of undrafted Titans who made their mark with the organization includes offensive lineman Aaron Brewer, defense linemen Teair Tart and Naquon Jones, wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, linebacker Jack Gibbens, cornerback Tre Avery and punter Ryan Stonehouse.
The Titans haven’t officially announced their undrafted free-agent signings. But according to multiple reports and social-media accounts, the list (included below this story) stands at 16 — not including a handful of rookie minicamp invitees.
Here are five that may stand out:
Player: Khalid Duke
Position: Edge rusher
Ht., wt: 6-3, 246
School: Kansas State
What’s to like: The Athletic ranked Duke as the nation’s 22nd-best edge rusher prospect, and NFL.com ranked him the 15th-best undrafted edge rusher … Duke earned second-team All Big 12 honors last season, when he led the Wildcats with six sacks, adding eight tackles for loss, one forced fumble and 19 tackles in 13 games … Duke, who ran a 4.79 40-yard dash, gets rave reviews for his high motor and his willingness to engage with bigger blockers. He has also earned praise for his quickness, which shows up in his initial burst off the line and in getting to the quarterback … Duke will likely need to add a few pounds and get stronger against the run, as he struggled at times holding the edge against larger linemen.
Player: X’Zauvea Gadlin
Position: Guard
Ht., wt: 6-3, 322
School: Liberty
What’s to like: The Athletic ranked Gadin as the nation’s 27th-best guard prospect, and NFL.com ranked him the 22nd-best undrafted guard … The 24-year-old Gadlin put his six years of college (four at Tulsa, two at Liberty) to good use, as he piled up more than 1,000 snaps at three positions — 1,493 at right tackle, 1,018 at right guard and 1,010 at left guard. It’s possible, too, that the Titans could take a look at Gadlin as a center, where he played 110 career snaps … Gadlin was a team captain during his senior year and was named All-Conference USA … He’s considered a powerful, aggressive player whose forte is in the run game. Gadlin will need to improve his pass-protection game ... Gadlin should get plenty of opportunity to compete for a depth spot on the roster, behind veteran guards Peter Skoronski, Daniel Brunskill and Saahdiq Charles — or as a back-up to center Lloyd Cushenberry.
Player: Dillon Johnson
Position: Running back
Ht., wt: 6-0, 217
School: Washington
What’s to like: The Athletic ranked Johnson as the nation’s 16th-best running back prospect, with NFL.com having ranked him the seventh-best undrafted running back … Johnson’s lack of breakaway speed (4.68 40-yard dash) was likely the reason he wasn’t drafted, but there are a number of things to like about him … He was very productive for a Washington team that reached the national championship game last season, carrying 233 times for 1,195 yards (5.1-yard average). His 16 rushing touchdowns were tied for sixth in the country. Johnson had 15 carries of 15 yards or more … Johnson added 24 catches for 190 yards (5.8-yard average). But in his previous three seasons at pass-oriented Mississippi State, Johnson racked up much bigger pass-catching numbers coming out of the backfield, totaling a combined 149 receptions for 864 yards (5.8-yard average) … A Greeneville, Miss., native, Johnson gets high marks for his pass-blocking ability, his character and his toughness … Johnson will compete against the likes of Julius Chestnut and Hassan Haskins for a depth spot at running back. His ability to play special teams will be critical.
Player: David Martin-Robinson
Position: Tight end
Ht., wt: 6-4, 247
School: Temple
What’s to like: The Athletic ranked Martin-Robinson as the nation’s 23rd-best tight end prospect, and NFL.com ranked him the seventh-best undrafted tight end … Martin-Robinson led the Owls with 40 catches last season, totaling 537 yards (13.4-yard average). His four touchdown catches were tied for first on the team and helped earn him second-team honors in the American Athletic Conference … He comes to the Titans well-seasoned, after spending six years at Temple and playing 47 games … Martin-Robinson wore the No. 5 jersey as a senior, notable because at Temple, single-digit numbers are given to the players who best represent the “Temple tough” culture. He became the first Temple tight end to wear a single digit since the tradition began in 2009 … Martin-Robinson, who ran a 4.65 40-yard dash, should have plenty of opportunity to earn a roster spot — or at least a practice-squad spot — as the Titans are thin at tight end. The only three returnees at the position are Chig Okonkwo, Josh Whyle and Thomas Odukoya.
Player: Cole Spencer
Position: Guard
Ht., wt: 6-4, 307
School: Texas Tech
What’s to like: The Athletic ranked Spencer as the nation’s 31st-best guard prospect, with NFL.com ranking him the 18th-best undrafted guard … The 25-year-old Spencer is a well-seasoned and versatile player. He spent five years (2017-21) playing left tackle at Western Kentucky, redshirting due to injury in 2018. Spencer then transferred to Texas Tech for two seasons, moving to left guard and redshirting due to injury in 2022 … Spencer’s forte is his pass-blocking ability, as he allowed just nine sacks in 2,176 opportunities during his time at Texas Tech and Western Kentucky … He played just six games in 2023 due to injury, but surrendered just one sack in 261 pass-blocking opportunities and earned a 70.4 offensive grade overall from Pro Football Focus … In 2021, Spencer’s final season at Western Kentucky, he earned All-Conference USA honors, posted a 90.7 PFF pass-blocking grade and finished his Hilltoppers tenure with 36 straight starts … Spencer comes with some impressive measurables, as he recorded 30 bench presses and a 30-inch vertical … Spencer should get plenty of opportunity to compete for a depth spot on the roster, behind veterans Peter Skoronski, Daniel Brunskill and Saahdiq Charles.
Unofficial list of Titans undrafted free agents
CB Rod Gattison, Western Carolina
CB Robert Javier, Towson
CB Gabe Jeudy-Lally, Tennessee
DI Isaiah Iton, Ole Miss
EDGE Khalid Duke, Kansas State
G X'Zauvea Gadlin, Liberty
G Cole Spencer, Texas Tech
K Brayden Narveson, N.C. State
RB Dillon Johnson, Mississippi State
RB Jabari Small, Tennessee
S Keaton Ellis, Penn State
T Brian Dooley, Eastern Michigan
TE David Martin-Robinson, Temple
TE Steven Stilianos, Iowa
WR Bryce Oliver, Youngstown State
WR Sam Schnee, Northern Iowa