Rookie tight end David Martin-Robinson, who was not drafted, has been impressive so far.
-- Photo By John Amis | ApWhile the Titans offense is undergoing a makeover, it remains to be seen how it will affect the tight end room.
With three-wide now the Titans base offense, can the team afford to keep more than three tight ends when, in the base set, there will only be one on the field? Josh Whyle, who is seemingly getting every chance to become a starter at tight end, Chig Okonkwo and free agent newcomer Nick Vannett figure to be locks for the roster, with each having a slightly different role in the offense.
But a fourth name has emerged in camp and could make the decision tough, even though he is still a bit of a project.
David Martin-Robinson, an undrafted rookie from Temple, has shown a nice ability to block and has looked good catching the football and gaining yards after the catch. He is tied with Jha’Quan Jackson for the preseason lead in catches with five and is averaging 13.6 yards per catch.
It’s still an uphill battle for the rookie, but he can make a case for himself if he can excel on special teams.
“We’ll run a lot of 11 personnel, but we have plenty in the 12 and 13 world that we have part of our package,” Callahan says. “The philosophy from the end of the back of the roster, that last six, seven spots, is going to be less about checking the box that we have a fifth safety or fourth tight end – or whatever those numbers are going to be – and just finding the best players, regardless of the position.
“And so, we’re trying to make sure that we don’t lose a player that we think could be really good just because we need to check a box on a number. We’re trying to make sure that we do the right job evaluating those players.
“And so, I don’t think it’ll be hard to keep four tight ends, if that’s what we decide to do because I think if we do that then that player will have earned that roster spot,” Callahan adds, “He’s worthy of the 53 spot.”