The Tennessee Titans will begin voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) next week. OTAs will be held on May 27-28, 30, June 2-3, and 5. Once OTAs finish, the Titans will transition into mandatory minicamp, which will be held from June 10-12.
One position to keep an eye on throughout OTAs and mandatory minicamp is the starting number two linebacker job. The LB2 job is currently the weakest position on defense, and the two candidates don’t have much experience. Otis Reese IV started five games with 179 total snaps in his first two seasons, while Cedric Gray has only played 48 snaps to his name.
Because of this, the Titans could add a veteran in free agency.
The Tennessee Titans could bring in a tackling machine
Kyzir White is considered one of the best off-ball linebackers available in free agency. White enters his eighth year and has played for three teams with over 73 career starts. He spent the last two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, serving as their LB1 and recording 227 tackles, 18 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions, and six pass deflections in 28 starts.
Kyzir White had a solid 2024 campaign defending against the run but struggled in coverage. White recorded 137 tackles, nine TFLs, 2.5 sacks, one interception, and three pass deflections in 17 starts. He also posted 13 missed tackles, 21 pressures, and 39 stops and gave up a 109 passer rating per PFF.
The tackling machine is named a best fit by ESPN
In an ESPN article, Matt Bowen goes through the top free agents and their best fits. Bowen names the Tennessee Titans as the best fit for Kyzir White. He points to his experience, “run-and-hit traits,” ability to be an every-down defender, and potential fit in Dennard Wilson’s scheme.
“The Titans signed linebacker Cody Barton in free agency, but there is still room for coordinator Dennard Wilson to add another veteran at the second level. White is an off-ball linebacker with run-and-hit traits, and he recorded nine tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks last season with the Cardinals. He has the pursuit speed to track the ball on the edges, with six interceptions and 16 pass breakups in his career,” Bowen said.
“In Tennessee, White has the traits to play a three-down role. Wilson can set him up on pressures to make big plays.”
