The Tennessee Titans begin mini-camp Tuesday at Saint Thomas Sports Park. Three consecutive days of high-paced and high-energy practices will ensue, before the team has a break until the first day of training camp in late July.

Let’s take a look at what we’ve seen so far after ten OTA practices and look ahead at what to keep an eye out for during minicamp.

Progression from OTA’s to mini-camp

 After three weeks of OTA’s, the difference with mini-camp is an increased sense of urgency. The players will experience a three-day grind.

“We have more time in the building with them. We can have them for ten hours instead of six hours. There will be more meeting time. We can have three and a half hours of on-field time,” said Head Coach Mike Mularkey. “The practice, the fast practice will be two hours. They will have more time after practice . . . so there is more time on the field. There is more time in the classroom.”

Players will be on the practice field Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before they depart for six-weeks up until training camp. The goal during mini-camp will be the same as it was during beginning of the offseason program, to improve.

“The intent we had when we came back April 18th was to see if we can get better. All of us, coaches included, every player, each position, each phase, and I feel like we have done that,” said Mularkey on the improvement. “They certainly have worked. Again, this is not been a group that has had to be pushed very hard by coaches or myself.

“It has been a group that has just came out here and works every day with the intent to get better. I think we are a better football team.”

Mariota’s recovery is further along than expected

 On December 24, 2016, at Everbank Field, the Titans saw their playoff hopes disappear and their quarterback exit the field with a fractured fibula. At that time, the hope was for Marcus Mariota to be back for training camp.

Now, he has completed every practice of OTA’s and is preparing for mandatory minicamp.

“Right now, he is doing all of the walk-throughs, individual,” said Mularkey on Mariota. “I like where we are at now. He is still rehabbing every day. He is right on schedule so at some point there is no ‘dead’ deadline of when we are going to let him take a little more.”

Mariota has had his moments during OTA’s. Though noticeably not full speed, the accuracy and speed on the starting quarterback’s passes has not changed. It is clear Mariota is in command of the offense, and his defensive teammates are staying as far away from his as possible to protect from injury.

It should not be expected that the Titans take a risk and let their franchise quarterback do any more during minicamp. Mariota has been participating in 7-on-7 but has not competed in team drills, that shouldn’t change.

Team speed has increased

 From rookie cornerback Adoree’ Jackson to free agent cornerback addition Logan Ryan, this Titans team looks faster. Whether on the offensive side of the ball with new addition tight end Jonnu Smith or on defense with rookie linebacker Jayon Brown, coaches and players have taken notice.

“Fast. He can run,” said Mularkey on Jayon Brown during OTA’s. “He’s done a really good job, especially in the one on one periods of covering the backs and tight ends. It’s not too big for him.”

The moment also hasn’t seemed too big for rookie running back Khalfani Muhammad. The 5’7’’, 174lb product out of California has shown his blazing speed, but also hasn’t stayed away from contact while running inside.

“Yeah, very fast, very quick,” said Titans running back Demarco Murray on Muhammad. “He has a quick burst and he will be a great asset to this team.”

With Murray’s hand injury making his minicamp questionable, look for Muhammad to see his reps increased.

Team speed will be something to look out for, as minicamp is the last chance for players to make their mark until training camp.

Davis should be a full participant in minicamp

 When OTA’s began three weeks ago, first-round pick Corey Davis was running with a slight hitch in his step and was only a participant in select individual periods.

Yet, after week three of OTA’s it looked the fifth-overall pick was close to being fully recovered from an ankle injury that occurred at the end of his college season. He participated in most team drills, 7-on-7 and all individual drills. It’s been a carefully paced recovery from the Titans coaching staff.

“He wants to practice more than anybody on this football team,” said Mularkey on Davis. “He wants to, and he is aggravated that he hasn’t been able to. But I think we have handled it the right way to get him up to speed and he should be good to go next week. He shouldn’t even be on the injury report.”

Davis has made plays even in his limited practice involvement. He has shown his leaping ability, catching multiple balls over defenders. His speed was on full display during the last day of OTA’s, beating defenders down the sideline after a catch.

With no limitations on the rookie wideout, we should get the first look at the fifth overall pick completely healthy. After fellow wide receiver Tajae Sharpe suffered a foot injury early in OTA’s, Davis should get the majority, if not all first-team reps. It will be a huge opportunity for the Western Michigan product to show his value.