Tennessee Titans 53-Man Roster Prediction Through Two Weeks of Preseason Games
The Tennessee Titans are more than half way through their preseason slate after playing the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings. With only one game left, the Titans are nearing the August 29 cutdown day, so let's take a look at what that 53-man roster could look like after cuts.
Quarterback(3) - Ryan Tannehill, Will Levis, Malik Willis
We have discussed the backup quarterback battle all camp, but the truth is neither of the young passers in Malik Willis or Will Levis have looked tangibly better than the other. With that, the Titans need to keep both and allow them to continue to develop while Ryan Tannehill starts.
Running Back(4) - Derrick Henry, Tyjae Spears, Hassan Haskins, Julius Chestnut
Rookie Tyjae Spears has been a standout in the preseason and is the obvious backup/complement to Derrick Henry. After that, carries would go to Julius Chestnut, who is the more talent runner between him and Hassan Haskins. However, Haskins is a skilled special teams player who had 13 tackles on special teams last year, second-most on the team. If his legal troubles don't get him cut, Haskins should make it.
Wide Receiver(5) - DeAndre Hopkins, Treylon Burks, Kyle Philips, Chris Moore, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
This seems crazy, I know. All of this training camp hype for young receivers like Tre'Shaun Harrison, Reggie Roberson Jr and Kearis Jackson. Well I just don't buy it. Jackson has the best shot due to special teams, but he looked to be hurt badly in Saturday's game against the Minnesota Vikings.
One thing to remember, this isn't about pitting the receivers against each other, it's about deciding between a sixth receiver or a fourth tight end or a fourth running back or a ninth offensive lineman. I think Vrabel would prefer to use his spots elsewhere.
Note: If Kyle Philips' injury from Saturday is serious, I think Mason Kinsey gets a spot as he can fill all the roles Philips was set to occupy.
Tight End(4) - Chig Okonkwo, Trevon Wesco, Josh Whyle, Thomas Odukoya
No real shockers here except for Thomas Odukoya. Odukoya has been a fantastic run blocker this preseason and has gotten praise from coaches and teammates alike for his growth as a player and his brute strength. Odukoya is a direct backup for Wesco and gives the Titans two pure blocker tight ends, which is important for their offensive philosophy.
Offensive Line(9) - Andre Dillard, Peter Skoronski, Aaron Brewer, Daniel Brunskill, Chris Hubbard, Jaelyn Duncan, Corey Levin, Jordan Roos, Justin Murray
The Titans will not want to get caught without depth on the offensive line again so they go heavy at the position. The starters are locks. Jaelyn Duncan has had ups and downs in the preseason, but he was a tantalizing project with raw technique, so that was expected. He'd get picked up by another team if waived. Corey Levin is great depth on the interior and as a backup center.
The real questions are with Jordan Roos and Justin Murray. Would the Titans keep both? Murray has been a stud in the preseason on the right side of the line at guard and tackle. He may push for starting snaps if Chris Hubbard falters. Roos has been with the team for years and has been good at guard in the preseason. Both make it with Dillon Radunz on PUP and Nicholas Petit-Frere suspended six games.
Defensive Line(6) - Jeffery Simmons, Denico Autry, Teair Tart, Kyle Peko, Jayden Peevy, Michael Dwumfour
I think the Titans will want a direct backup for each spot on the defensive line. Jayden Peevy can backup Denico Autry, Michael Dwumfour for Jeffery Simmons and Kyle Peko for Teair Tart. Dwumfour and Peko impressed against the Vikings and Peevy has been one of the more improved players from last year so far. Depth is important in the trenches for a Mike Vrabel football team.
Edge Rushers(4) - Harold Landry, Arden Key, Rashad Weaver, Caleb Murphy
Going light at edge rusher is a direct result of a lack of talent there. I am sure Vrabel would love to have more, but there is just more useful talent at other spots. Caleb Murphy is far from a sure thing, but after having three sacks in two preseason games, the Titans can't afford to waive him. Get special teams value elsewhere, keep a player with pass rush value at edge instead. Also, Autry can play the edge too, so that helps with the small numbers here.
Linebacker(6) - Azeez Al-Shaair, Jack Gibbens, Chance Campbell, Monty Rice, Ben Niemann, Luke Gifford
This is where you go heavy on special teams. Outside of Azeez Al-Shaair, every linebacker should be playing special teams. Monty Rice, Chance Campbell and Luke Gifford bring speed to the position while Ben Niemann is a solid veteran with a ton of defensive experience. This is a solid group.
Cornerback(5) - Kristian Fulton, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Roger McCreary, Tre Avery, Eric Garror
This was a tough call. The top four options are all set in stone with Tre Avery being the fourth after the three starters. The final spot was difficult to fill with Anthony Kendall, Armani Marsh and Eric Garror all making plays in the preseason.
Garror is the pick for me though. Outside of Roger McCreary, none of the other corners on my roster list are comfortable in the slot. That is where Garror should make a career. He can be McCreary's direct backup. Garror is also active on special teams and returns kicks, giving him additional roster value.
Safety(5) - Kevin Byard, Amani Hooker, Elijah Molden, Mike Brown, Josh Thompson
Having Elijah Molden also helps with cornerback depth even though his focus is safety, like how Autry can bounce between edge and defensive line. Mike Brown has been excellent in the preseason and Josh Thompson is a special teams dynamo who the Titans really like.
Specialists - Ryan Stonehouse(Punter), Caleb Shudak(Kicker), Morgan Cox(Long Snapper)
Personal take, I wish the Titans would go get a veteran kicker who they can trust more than Caleb Shudak or rookie Trey Wolff, but I don't know that they will. With that in mind, I will go with Shudak. Wolff has been a little shaky in the preseason and even though he has a bigger leg, Shudak has more of the team's trust.
Related Stories on Titans-Vikings
- WATCH SPEARS TOUCHDOWN RUN: We saw running back Tyjae Spears put the Titans on the board first with an incredible 33-yard touchdown run. Here's the highlight of the score. CLICK HERE
- WATCH CALEB MURPHY SACK: In the second quarter, Titans rookie edge rusher Caleb Murphy got his second sack of the preseason. You can watch the highlight here. CLICK HERE
- WATCH CHESTNUT'S SECOND TOUCHDOWN: Julius Chestnut scored his second touchdown of the night on a short pass from Malik Willis. You can watch the highlight here.CLICK HERE
- PHOTO GALLERY: Here are the best pictures from Saturday night's game between the Titans and Vikings. CLICK HERE
