Cedric Gray tipped as under-the-radar rookie to watch

The Tennessee Titans made a steal when they selected UNC football star linebacker Cedric Gray early in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Fans of the UNC football program watched Gray blossom into a star in Chapel Hill as he became an absolute force for the Tar Heels’ defense during his college career. Derrik Klassen of Bleacher Report believes that Gray, as he enters his rookie season in the NFL, should be considered one of the under-the-radar Day 3 selections who can thrive during their rookie seasons in the pros.

“If there was ever a way for an early Day 3 linebacker to get on the field, it would be in Tennessee.

Enter Cedric Gray. At 6’1” and 220 pounds, Gray isn’t exactly a flashy figure, but he’s a formidable athlete who isn’t afraid to show off his body.

Gray’s sideline-to-sideline quickness is a definite strength. He may not be as flashy as Murray, but he more than makes up for it elsewhere. Gray is willing to put his hands through a guard’s chest and create some disruption between the tackles. He doesn’t give up space easily. That combination of quickness and physicality is a good starting point for any young linebacker in itself.

Gray’s ability to find the court will depend on consistency and coverage. At North Carolina, Gray’s vision and trigger were hot and cold at times. He’s willing to play downhill quickly; it’s just a matter of trusting what he sees. Gray is often in a haze in coverage, but so is Murray, so maybe he’s not really at a disadvantage in that sense.

Linebacker is a tough position to find immediate success at in this league. Playing both the run and the pass from the heart of the formation comes with so many responsibilities. However, Gray has both the tools and the opportunity in front of him.”

Like all rookies, there is certainly room for improvement for Gray, who possesses the size and skill set needed to be a truly good linebacker at the NFL level. It will be up to the Titans coaching staff to help him take the next steps in his development, as he is a guy we can certainly talk about as one of the steals of the 2024 NFL Draft class in the future.

Gray and the Titans open the preseason on August 10 against the San Francisco 49ers. This will be Gray’s first chance to play some meaningful snaps in an NFL game as he prepares for his rookie season.