Tennessee Titans Roster Locks on Offense as OTAs Begin

The Tennessee Titans will spend the summer trying to create their best 53-man roster, but a majority of the roster spots are basically already taken. Here are the roster locks on offense.

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans' organized team activities(OTAs) begin this week and the battle for roster spots is underway, but how many roster spots are even available? In this two part series, we will go position by position through each side of the ball and ask the question of who is a lock to make the roster already. Let's start on offense.

Quarterbacks

Locks: Ryan Tannehill, Will Levis

Yes, Tannehill could be traded, but at this stage in the process that does not seem likely. Obviously, if a Tannehill trade happened, the projections would change. As it sits right now though, you can only write Tannehill and Levis in pen. Tannehill is the expensive starter and Levis was just drafted high in the second round after a trade up to get him.

Really this means Malik Willis is on the chopping block. Whether he has had a fair shake or not can be debated, but the reality here is Willis was drafted by a general manager who is no longer employed and Vrabel has shown little faith in Willis so far. Willis could make the team if the Titans keep three quarterbacks, but that seems unlikely.

Running Backs

Locks: Derrick Henry, Hassan Haskins, Tyjae Spears

Henry is in the same boat as Tannehill. Yes, a trade could go down, but that is so unlikely it wouldn't make sense to leave Tannehill or Henry off the lock list. This is probably the last year with the team for both players. 

As for Haskins, he may not be someone who fans get excited about. He doesn't have great running ability, but as a RB3, he is a perfect fit. Haskins was a dynamo on special teams last season and is good in pass protection. Spears was drafted about a minute ago and his skillset is desperately needed.

Wide Receiver

Locks: Treylon Burks, Kyle Philips, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Chris Moore

The Titans could make a trade for a veteran wide receiver and it still wouldn't change my mind about the status of the four receiver locks. Burks is a no-brainer and Philips deserves another season to try and stay healthy. Both of them should be easy calls.

Some folks may roll their eyes at Westbrook-Ikhine and Moore, but the truth is those guys will probably play just as many, if not more, snaps than Philips. They will be asked to be the Titans starting receiver opposite of Burks. With NWI's experience with the team and Moore being the only veteran, both are likely to stick.

Tight End

Locks: Chig Okonkwo, Trevon Wesco, Josh Whyle

 This might be the least debatable position on the team. The three listed above are so far ahead of any other tight ends on the roster that is hard to even consider an alternate option. Okonkwo was an explosive playmaker for the Titans and should see a role increase. Wesco was brought in to fill the Geoff Swaim role and should be an improvement as ablocker. Whyle was just drafted. Kevin Rader's versatility as a fullback and tight end may give him a better shot than we realize.

Offensive Line

Locks: Andre Dillard, Peter Skoronski, Aaron Brewer, Daniel Brunskill, Nicholas Petit-Frere

This is basically the projected starting offensive line at this juncture. Dillard, Brunskill and Brewer all got new money this offseason so it would be a shock to see any of them cut. Skoronski doesn't need much explanation. Petit-Frere struggled at times in 2022, but Mike Vrabel isn't going to trust him enough start a rookie the entire season and then cut him the next year. 

There are a few names that some will think should be here like Dillon Radunz or Jaelyn Duncan, but Radunz is coming off a major knee injury in Week 15 of 2022 and struggled to get playing time even when healthy. Duncan is a project pick and like many sixth-round picks before him(Brady Breeze or Theo Jackson ring a bell), his draft spot doesn't guarantee a roster spot.

Some folks say NFL stands for "Not For Long" based on how quickly things can change, but as of right now these 17 names are likely locked into the roster. However, any player is capable of impressing and upsetting the expectations, but that will be done out on the field.  

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