Breakout star Cedric Gray studies an All-Pro during joint practices, aiming to master forced fumbles and elite defensive techniques to elevate his game in Tennessee.
Cedric Gray is entering his third season with the Tennessee Titans in 2026.
After mostly being a rotational piece as a rookie, he had a breakout year last season. Gray earned a starting role last year and led the team with 164 total tackles. He also had one sack and seven TFLs.
Gray has grown a lot since he first came to the NFL after being drafted out of North Carolina. Yet, he realizes that there's even more he can get better at and isn't afraid to ask questions.
He's taking full advantage of the time that the Titans are going to spend in Santa Clara.
The team just had a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday. After practice, Gray revealed that he's planning on bouncing questions off of one of the best players at his position, Fred Warner.
Warner is about to play his ninth season of NFL football with the 49ers. He's been to the Pro Bowl four times and is a four-time First-Team All-Pro.
He's finished each NFL season with 100 total tackles or more. If he hadn't been injured last season, he probably would have continued that trend.
Gray revealed at Tuesday's presser that he can't wait to learn the ropes from a player like Warner.
"Yeah, I mean, I think before entering the NFL, before Saleh came here, anything like that, Fred was my favorite linebacker," Gray said. "So, I've always been a huge fan of him. I've always watched him on tape. He's kind of one of the guys that you watch, you know, technique-wise and the different things he does. One of the things he's really good at is creating forced fumbles. That's one thing that I've really kind of noticed in his game. Something I want to incorporate to my game this year as well is finding ways to the turn the ball over. So, he's a great player. He's the best of the best. So, definitely somebody I gotta find a way to chop it in with."
Saleh has definitely thought of Warner when it comes to locating a middle linebacker for the Titans. You can see how a player like rookie Anthony Hill Jr. mirrors Warner's build.
Warner is an elite linebacker, so it makes sense that Gray would want to learn as much as he can from him during this short stint on the road.
Don't be surprised if we see Gray and Warner talking after practice or once the clock hits zero on Thursday night.
