Titans: Predicting the final 53-man roster
The Tennessee Titans are in the midst of training camp with preseason action right around the corner.
We’ve learned quite a bit about the team this summer, so it’s about time to dig in and predict the final roster. There are some positions that are harder to predict than others, for example, the offensive line.
Jamarco Jones was widely expected to compete for the starting RT job, but he apparently couldn’t quit fighting his teammates. Now, Jones is on the unemployment line, and the team will have to figure out who will replace him.
With that being said, let’s dig into our predictions for the final roster.
Quarterback (3)
In: Ryan Tannehill, Malik Willis, Will Levis
Out: None
Thanks to the new emergency QB rules, I see the Titans keeping all three guys. By all accounts, Willis has impressed this summer and may have earned himself one more season in Nashville.
Tannehill is undoubtedly the starter, at least for now. The hope is that Levis shows enough to be the primary backup before Week 1. Levis obviously isn’t getting cut, but he could be the third QB if Willis continues to outperform him.
Running back (3)
In: Derrick Henry, Tyjae Spears, Julius Chestnut
Out: Hassan Haskins, Jonathan Ward
Even without the arrest drama, I was thinking Haskins is on the bubble. Haskins has yet to do anything even remotely impressive in the NFL so the added baggage should make him an easy cut. Spears has solidified his spot as the backup to Henry and Chestnut has always looked good when given opportunities.
This is a position that could benefit from a waiver claim. I like Chestnut, but there will probably be better options on the waiver wire.
Wide receiver (6)
In: DeAndre Hopkins, Treylon Burks, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Kyle Philips, Chris Moore, Colton Dowell
Out: Racey McMath, Reggie Roberson Jr., Mason Kinsey, Tre’Shaun Harrison, Gavin Holmes, Kearis Jackson
This group went from “absolutely putrid” to “not so bad” just by the addition of Hopkins. That’ll happen when you add one of the best receivers in the league. The addition of Hopkins will likely do wonders for Burks’ development as well.
NWI is a solid complimentary option and it’ll be interesting to see if Philips can rebound. Chris Moore is flying under the radar but I think he’ll prove to be a solid addition. I think the first five of these receivers are locked, with only one spot likely up for grabs. For now, I’ll give the spot to Dowell thanks to his skills in the return game.
Tight end (4)
In: Chig Okonkwo, Trevon Wesco, Josh Whyle, Alize Mack
Out: Kevin Rader, Thomas Odukoya, Justin Rigg
I chose to keep four TEs because Wesco can function as a fullback as well. I’m calling an Okonkwo breakout season, by the way.
The rookie Whyle and XFL standout Mack also make the team as depth options. I like Mack’s receiving abilities over the other options. Whyle is a massive tight end who could be a valuable red-zone threat eventually.
Offensive line (9)
In: Andre Dillard, Peter Skoronski, Aaron Brewer, Jordan Roos, Daniel Brunskill, Chris Hubbard, Corey Levin, Dillon Radunz, Jaelyn Duncan, Nicholas Petit-Frere (suspended)
Out: Xavier Newman, Andrew Rupcich, Jimmy Murray, John Leglue, Zack Johnson, John Ojukwu
This group is uninspiring, to say the least. I’d feel much better if NPF wasn’t missing the first six games, but what can you do? I’d prefer to have the starting line as Dillard, Skoronski, Brewer, Brunskill, and Hubbard from left to right. That’s still not good but it should be passable.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see a waiver claim on a lineman, either. The bottom of the depth chart is very weak.
Defensive line (6)
In: Jeffery Simmons, Teair Tart, Denico Autry, Naquan Jones, Jaleel Johnson, Tyler Shelvin
Out: Jayden Peevy, Sam Okuayinonu, TK McClendon Jr., Shakel Brown
I’d say this is probably the best position group on the team. Simmons is a star, and Autry and Tart are above-average starters. Jones, Johnson and Shelvin provide solid depth behind that trio, so I don’t see a need to keep more.
Outside linebacker (4)
In: Harold Landry III, Arden Key, Rashad Weaver, Caleb Murphy
Out: Thomas Rush, Zach McCloud
I think the signing of Key could end up being the best move of the offseason. The veteran has looked like a force in camp and could end up leading the team in sacks in 2023. The return of Landry is also huge and will be a noticeable difference from 2022.
Weaver’s legal troubles are seemingly in the past now, so the edge-rusher can focus solely on football. Additionally, I have Murphy as the first UDFA to make this roster. This is a decent group.
Inside linebacker (5)
In: Monty Rice, Azeez Al-Shaair, Ben Niemann, Luke Gifford, Chance Campbell
Out: Jack Gibbens, Otis Reese IV
I think Campbell or Gibbens are fighting for the last roster spot here. Gifford is a solid special teamer, and Niemann has starting experience. For these reasons, I think those two are locks. Assuming the team keeps five, I’ll give a slight edge to Campbell for now.
Al-Shaair and Rice will be an elite combo in the middle of the defense.
Cornerback (6)
In: Roger McCreary, Kristian Fulton, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Elijah Molden, Caleb Farley, Tre Avery
Out: Chris Jackson, Eric Garror, Anthony Kendall, Steven Jones Jr., Alonzo Davis, Shyheim Carter, Armani Marsh
This is a group that a UDFA could easily break into. If the team did keep one, I’d go with Garror. For now, I haven’t seen enough to firmly pick one of the UDFAs so I’ll give Avery another chance. Avery looked terrible when forced into action last season, but he was a rookie and that’s sort of expected.
I have Farley making the team for now but I would not be surprised to see him cut. Ran Carthon didn’t draft him, so the corner may be on a short leash.
Safety (4)
In: Kevin Byard, Amani Hooker, AJ Moore Jr., Tyreque Jones
Out: Mike Brown, Matthew Jackson, Josh Thompson
This is another group that I think could see a waiver addition. The two starters, Byard and Hooker, are great but the depth is lacking. I have another UDFA making the team in Jones.
I like Jones because he can play nickel corner as well, giving the team more options. Moore is a veteran and a former Texan, and we know Mike Vrabel and Tim Kelly like former Texans.
Special teams (3)
In: Ryan Stonehouse, Trey Wolff, Morgan Cox
Out: Caleb Shudak
The competition between Wolff and Shudak thus far has been described as “neck-and-neck,” and I think the UDFA Wolff wins out. The team has no other punter or long-snapper on the roster, and Cox and Stonehouse are two of the best at their respective positions anyway. This is a solid group.