Titans: Takeaways from the latest depth chart release
The Tennessee Titans recently released another “unofficial” depth chart. While it is “unofficial,” a lot can still be taken from this reveal.
Today, I want to go over my initial reaction to this latest depth chart. There are a few surprises, but mostly this is status quo.
Gibbens is still listed as a starter
Many including myself had Monty Rice penciled in as a starter alongside free-agent addition Azeez Al-Shaair. Unfortunately, Rice dealt with some strange situations this off-season, with the team not providing much clarity.
Whatever that means, Gibbens ended up running away with the other starting gig. As a former UDFA, Dr. Gibby is the definition of a Vrabel guy. It seems like he’ll at least start off the season at the top of the depth chart.
Who will return kicks?
The rookie UDFA Kearis Jackson is listed as the punt returner, but Jackson, Tyjae Spears, and Julius Chestnut are listed as co-starters at kick returner.
Jackson definitely did enough to earn the return job. He and Eric Garror were by far the most impressive returners this off-season. I really don’t want Spears returning kicks. It seems unnecessary to risk injury for such an explosive player. With Derrick Henry another year older, Spears could end up playing a pivotal role on offense.
No matter who ends up returning kicks, the result will almost assuredly be better than what the team got from Hassan Haskins a year ago.
Dillon Radunz is a part of the team after all
It appears that Radunz will be the primary backup at RT and RG. This is an encouraging development for the former 2nd-round pick. It remains to be seen how effective he will be, but the team trusts him enough to be a primary backup.
Granted, it could just be because there’s no better option. After all, this is the same team who trotted Dennis Daley out for a full season last year.
Elijah Molden is a safety now
Molden had been working as a safety and some in nickel this off-season, but it now appears he will be a full-time safety. Molden is listed as Kevin Byard’s backup.
This is an interesting decision. Molden has always been good at playing the ball, but I don’t know how well he would hold up in run defense. I expect he will still fill in nickel packages mostly.
With the season-opener now less than a week away, this is likely what the team will look like for Week 1. The Titans are set to travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints to begin the 2023 season.
