Tennessee Titans 53-Man Roster Prediction Before Training Camp Kicks Off

As we arrive to the first day of 2023 Tennessee Titans Training Camp, writer Tyler Rowland takes a crack at predicting what the 53-man roster will look like after cutdown day.

NASHVILLE — Tennessee Titans fans, training camp has finally arrived. Football is officially here. It is a celebratory day, but we can't forget this is the beginning of a process that hopes to whittle down 90 players to 53. Who will those 53 players be?

Here is my attempt at predicting the 53-man roster with the knowledge that this is a difficult plane to land.

Quarterbacks - Ryan Tannehill, Will Levis, Malik Willis(3)

Levis vs. Willis will rage on over the next month and a half, but I think at the end of the day, the Titans keep all three. This is still likely to be Tannehill's last season with the team and unless Levis comes out on fire and truly separates from Willis, I don't see how the Titans can be confident enough in the rookie to part with Willis.

Running Back - Derrick Henry, Tyjae Spears, Johnathan Ward(3)

The interesting name missing here is Hassan Haskins. Haskins is dealing with some legal trouble and if what he is alleged of is true, he will be cut soon. There is the chance he is not charged and he did not do what he is alleged to have done, but for the purposes of this exercise, I am leaving him off. Ward gives the Titans a backup to the style of player Spears is.

Wide Receiver - DeAndre Hopkins, Treylon Burks, Kyle Philips, Chris Moore, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Colten Dowell(6)

The first five names are set in stone, in my opinion. The battle really comes down to Colten Dowell against Racey McMath. McMath provides more special teams value and Dowell has higher upside as an actual receiver. The Titans have seemed to focus more attention on the passing game this offseason, so I think the stay true to that and find special teams value elsewhere.

Tight End - Chig Okonkwo, Trevon Wesco, Josh Whyle, Kevin Rader(4)

Kevin Rader may be the only surprise here, but if you look at his versatility it makes much more sense. The Titans don't have a traditional fullback anymore, but they will certainly want the ability to use one if they need to and that is where Rader can help. He can be a depth tight end and act as the fullback while giving special teams value.

Offensive Line - Andre Dillard, Peter Skoronski, Aaron Brewer, Daniel Brunskill, Veteran Free Agent OT, Corey Levin, Jamarco Jones, Jaelyn Duncan(8)

Nicholas Petit-Frere won't count towards the roster when his suspension kicks in and I expect Dillon Radunz to start the year on PUP. With those two out, it gives a chance for the rookie Duncan to make the team where I don't believe he would have otherwise. Once NPF and Radunz return, I expect the Titans to part with Jamarco Jones or Duncan and roll with 9 offensive linemen.

Also, call it cheating if you want, but I think the Titans sign a free agent offensive tackle soon, so I will include that as a rostered player.

Defensive Line - Jeffery Simmons, Denico Autry, Teair Tart, Naquon Jones, Jayden Peevy, Jaleel Johnson(6)

The Titans looked for some additional IDL help earlier this offseason when they worked out free agent Michael Brockers, so I do not believe they are satisfied with the group. We could see some additions here that totally change my picks, but for the time being this is the six. I think the Titans would like another body here but without the talent to justify it, they roll with six only.

Edge Rusher - Harold Landry, Rashad Weaver, Arden Key, Caleb Murphy(4)

Another example of a position I think the Titans would like more bodies at, but just don't have the talent. Sam Okuayinonu is the favorite for the fourth spot behind Landry, Weaver and Key, but I am betting on the undrafted-free agent rookie Caleb Murphy who had 40 sacks in his final two years of college. Murphy gives the Titans some pass rush upside and more potential than Okuayinonu, who is also still a raw player.

Linebacker - Azeez Al-Shaair, Monty Rice, Ben Niemann, Luke Gifford, Chance Campbell, Jack Gibbens(6)

I have been saying throughout the exercise that the Titans need to load up on special teams at other spots with potential loss of Haskins and McMath. Linebacker is where they do that. Outside of Al-Shaair, all the other five linebackers should be consistent contributors to special teams and be the bulk of the team's coverage units. Keep em all.

Cornerback - Sean Murphy-Bunting, Kristian Fulton, Roger McCreary, Elijah Molden, Tre Avery, Chris Jackson(6)

I think Caleb Farley could start the year on PUP as he recovers from a back injury. I think Farley makes the roster when healthy, but that may not be by week one. Avery gets the spot after the top four so he can be the primary backup outside. Jackson makes it as more special teams help and an emergency slot option. Jackson heads to practice squad after Farley's return.

Safety - Kevin Byard, Amani Hooker, Mike Brown, Shyheim Carter(4)

This is probably the worst position group the Titans have currently from a depth perspective. The starters are great, but after that things get ugly. However, the Titans need safety depth for special teams purposes. If Molden, who is training at safety as well, can really be their third safety on defense, then the final two safety spots can focus on special teams. Brown and Carter have NFL experience which gives them an advantage over the pool of rookies.

Specialists - Ryan Stonehouse(P), Morgan Cox(LS), Caleb Shudak(K)(3) 

The only real drama here is the kicker battle. Shudak was a rookie last year, but never got a real shot to make the team due to a training camp injury. Shudak will be competing with rookie Trey Wolff. Wolff is a much bigger guy with some good power. Both have performed well in summer workouts though so this should go down to the wire. I think the Titans really like Shudak though. 

We have nearly six weeks of camp and preseason games before we get any of these answers. Cutdown day will only be one day this season and directly after the third and final preseason game. There will be changes and shake ups before the Titans decide on all this, but based on what we know now, this is my expectation.

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