The Tennessee Titans are set to open their preseason slate with a matchup tonight against the San Francisco 49ers from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. They will take the first step toward opening the regular season against the New York Jets.
At this point, other than John Franklin-Myers, Robert Saleh intends to play every available player when the Titans hit the field. Although no specific snap count has been given by the staff, it sounds like the starters should see at least a couple of drives early.
When the Titans hit the field, they will have a few players who could help raise their stock with solid performances, and here are seven to keep an eye on.
Cordell Volson
This may be a surprise for some readers, but it may be closer to reality than many would think. Volson is locked in a battle for the starting right guard spot with Jackson Slater and rookie Fernando Carmona, and needs to step up. Volson has struggled some in practice and in the scrimmage, and could use a solid outing against the 49ers to gain some traction.
Carmona has been surging, has seen an increased rep share over the past few practices, and appears to have momentum; Slater offers some position flexibility and has been taking some snaps at center (including Tuesday in the joint practice). Volson signed a one-year $3.25 million contract as a free agent, and could see his roster spot evaporate if he doesn’t win the job outright.
Femi Oladejo
While Oladejo is likely a lock for the roster, seeing him take a step forward as a pass rusher against the 49ers would be a welcome sight. Through camp, he has flashed some disruptive abilities as a pass rusher and has been a beast against the run, but he must become more consistent as he continues to develop.
Tennessee intends to rotate its defensive linemen throughout the game. If Oladejo can take a step forward and become a bona fide pass-rushing threat, the defense would become even deeper.
Xavier Restrepo
Restrepo again has flashed as a receiver in camp, but must prove that he can add something to special teams to help his chances of making the final 53-man roster. The Titans’ wide receiving corps is deep, and there will be some tough decisions made when final cuts are made. A good performance on offense, as well as chipping in something on special teams, could help him out tremendously.
Austin Deculus/Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson
I am putting these two together for one reason: the swing tackle position. While there is no clear plan for what the Titans intend to do along the offensive line, it would be great if one of these two took a step forward against the 49ers and helped solidify the tackle position behind the starters, Dan Moore and JC Latham. Both of these tackles should see a bulk of the snaps against the 49ers and will have a shot at solidifying their role.
James Williams
Williams has been one of the biggest risers through the early portion of training camp and has a chance to take another step toward breaking the starting lineup with a solid performance against the 49ers. The former college safety has made a tremendous jump heading into his third season and appears poised to break out and help turn the Titans linebacking corps into one of the strengths of the defense.
Will Levis
If there is one player that must step up and show something in this matchup, it is Levis, who appears to be regressing in every practice. The one-time starter, who missed all of 2025 with a shoulder injury, needs to turn things around after a string of uneven practices quickly, or he will be headed for the unemployment line.
Tennessee would love to see Levis take a step forward to help build some trade value; with the way it stands today, it is more likely they will be forced to release him at the end of camp.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Titans preseason: 7 Players with the most to gain vs. 49ers