The Tennessee Titans have officially secured two young pieces for their 2026 roster, announcing the signings of exclusive rights free agents guard Garrett Dellinger and defensive lineman C.J. Ravenell. The moves, confirmed by the team on Thursday, March 5, ensure both players who were late-season additions in 2025 will return to compete in Nashville this fall.
For fans who track the granular details of roster construction, the exclusive rights free agent (ERFA) designation is a key, if often overlooked, mechanism. A player becomes an ERFA after accruing fewer than three credited seasons in the league and whose contract has expired. The team holding his rights can extend a one-year contract at the league minimum salary, and the player has no option to negotiate with other clubs. It's a procedural move, but a vital one for maintaining depth and developing talent discovered off the proverbial scrap heap. In the cases of Dellinger and Ravenell, the Titans saw enough in a brief audition last December to want an extended look.
Garrett Dellinger: Reinforcing the Trenches
The offensive line remains a perennial focus for the Titans, and the signing of Garrett Dellinger represents a low-risk, potential-high-reward investment in that unit. Dellinger entered the league with considerable pedigree. A versatile interior lineman out of LSU, he was part of the 2025 rookie class and was originally drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the seventh round. After joining the Titans late in the 2025 season via waiver claim, he impressed the coaching staff enough to earn another opportunity.
Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing around 320 pounds, Dellinger possesses the size and athletic profile that teams covet. His college career at LSU saw him take snaps at both guard and center, providing the kind of positional flexibility that is gold to offensive line coaches. For a Titans team that has struggled with consistency and health along the interior--particularly at the guard spots--adding a player like Dellinger is a logical step.
His 2026 contract is essentially a prove-it deal. He will enter offseason workouts and training camp with a chance to compete for a roster spot, likely aiming for a role as a backup who can play multiple positions. The Titans' starting guard situation may see upheaval this offseason, and having a young, cost-controlled player like Dellinger developing in the system provides crucial insurance. His signing is less about an immediate proclamation of a starting job and more about the front office doing its due diligence to stock the cupboard with capable bodies who have upside.
C.J. Ravenell: Adding to the Defensive Line Rotation
On the other side of the ball, the Titans are ensuring some continuity in their defensive line room by bringing back C.J. Ravenell. Like Dellinger, Ravenell was a waiver claim in the latter stages of the 2025 season, joining the Titans' practice squad and eventually the active roster to provide depth during the final stretch.
Ravenell's path and profile are different. He entered the league undrafted and has been grinding to earn his place. Defensive linemen in his mold are often valued for their ability to eat space, set the edge against the run, and occasionally push the pocket. For a Titans defense that has sought to build a more formidable and deep front, retaining a player like Ravenell makes strategic sense.
Head coach Robert Saleh, along with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, prioritize a deep rotation along the defensive line to keep players fresh and apply constant pressure. Ravenell fits into that philosophy as a potential rotational piece. His signing indicates the coaching staff saw positive traits--perhaps a strong work ethic, specific technique, or a physical attribute that fits their scheme--during his short time with the team. He will come to camp aiming to carve out a role on the 53-man roster, likely competing for a spot as a backup defensive end or tackle in the team's base and sub-packages.
The Bigger Picture: Roster Building 101
While the signings of Dellinger and Ravenell won't dominate the headlines in an offseason that will feature major free agent pursuits and the NFL Draft, they are emblematic of sound, fundamental roster management. Successful teams are not just built on blockbuster trades and splashy free agent signings; they are fortified in the margins, through waiver claims, ERFA tenders, and the cultivation of overlooked talent.
Titans General Manager Mike Borgonzi and his staff have demonstrated a keen eye for the waiver wire, using it as a secondary avenue for talent acquisition. Securing these two players on minimum deals allows the team to evaluate them through a full offseason program, training camp, and preseason without any long-term financial commitment. It's an efficient way to explore every possible avenue for improving the roster's depth.
Furthermore, these moves provide clarity as the team heads into the heart of free agency and draft preparation. Knowing Dellinger and Ravenell are under contract allows the personnel department to precisely gauge the numbers at guard and defensive line as they build their big board and target external free agents. It removes two small variables from a very complex equation.
What's Next for the Titans' Offseason?
With Dellinger and Ravenell officially in the fold, the Titans' attention now fully turns to the broader market. The legal tampering period and official start of the 2026 league year are imminent, and the team has significant needs to address, including wide receiver, cornerback, and potentially left tackle. The re-signing of these ERFAs is the quiet, administrative prelude to the orchestra of free agency.
For Dellinger and Ravenell, the work begins now. They have the security of a contract for the upcoming season, but the real challenge is ahead. They must arrive at Saint Thomas Sports Park in April ready to impress a new coaching staff, learn the playbook inside and out, and prove that their late-season audition was merely a preview of greater contributions to come. In the grueling world of the NFL, an ERFA tender is a foot in the door. It's up to them to kick that door open and earn a lasting place on the Tennessee Titans roster.