With training camp set to kick off for teams this week, it’s a perfect time to give out the prediction on who will end up on the 2023-24 53-man roster for the Tennessee Titans. This season could end the Nashville portion of their journeys for many stars in the two-toned blue as the organization transitions from contender to retooling under a new regime. Who has locked up their spots on the senior squad? Who has some work to do? Who’s on the bubble?
OFFENSE
Quarterback (3)
1. Ryan Tannehill
2. Will Levis
3. Malik Willis
The Titans will carry three quarterbacks heading into opening day for the first time in several (non-injury) seasons here. Tannehill is the entrenched starter, but he’s coming off an ankle injury that sidelined him for a few games, leaving current Browns backup Josh Dobbs and Malik Willis to battle it out down the stretch last season. In April’s draft, Tennessee added the mercurially inconsistent Will Levis to battle the incumbent backup in Willis. The aforementioned rising sophomore signal caller from Liberty has been speculated not to make the final roster. He does so here as Levis has all the tools, but much like his erstwhile rival, he is a raw prospect. The 2023 season could very well be the last one for Tannehill for the Tennessee Titans.
Running Back (4)
1. Derrick Henry
2. Tyjae Spears
3. Jonathan Ward
4. Julius Chestnut
We all know who’s the lead dog in this group. The electric weapon out of Tulane, rookie Tyjae Spears, joins as the primary backup. Jonathan Ward and Julius Ward showed flashes of here and there in limited action as injuries mounted in the room last season. Second-year runner Hassan Haskins does not make the roster after a domestic violence arrest last month as he could be suspended after an August hearing about the issue. The former 2022 fourth-round selection didn’t have the best season, primarily playing special teams. As we are all too aware, the running back position is the most fungible in the league. There could be some movement from outside the franchise as cuts and trades are made. It could be mentioned that Henry is playing out his last season as a Tennessee Titans runner.
Wide Receiver (6)
1. DeAndre Hopkins
2. Treylon Burks
3. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
4. Kyle Phillips
5. Chris Moore
6. Colton Dowell
Tennessee has one of the weaker receiver units overall in the league with one emerging star in Treylon Burks and a batch of inconsistent veterans and youth. DeAndre Hopkins has elected to sign with Tennessee after a long courtship. Phillips was a lost cause as he missed the entire 2022 campaign due to injury. Chris Moore was a free agent pickup this past offseason and brought familiarity due to the Vrabel / Kelly ties. I have one rookie making the roster in the seventh-round selection Colton Dowell. Racey McMath just misses out after years of whelming play. UDFA receivers Kearis Jackson, Jacob Copeland, and Tre’Shaun Harrison are sneaky candidates to make the roster or practice squad if they can prove themselves in camp.
Tight End (4)
1. Chigoziem Okonkwo
2. Trevon Wesco
3. Josh Whyle
4. Alize Mack
The former Maryland product, Chig Okonkwo emerged as one of the better young tight ends as a rookie last season. He’ll lead a vastly different tight-end room from even a couple of seasons ago. Former long-time Chicago Bear and West Virginia Mountaineer joins as the primary blocker, replacing Geoff Swaim. Josh Whyle, is a rookie from the Cincinnati Bearcats program that was very successful over the past few seasons. Former Notre Dame tight end Alize Mack was signed off the XFL’s San Antonio Brahamas after their season concluded. Tennessee will likely have the trio and the fourth member in a tight battle to make it. Traditionally, the team has carried four tight ends and six wide receivers.
Offensive Tackle (4)
1. Andre Dillard
2. Peter Skoronski
3. Jaelyn Duncan
4. John Ojukwu
A completely rebuilt tackle room with two rookies in Skoronski (who’s slated to play left guard but is listed as a tackle in this exercise) and sixth-round selection Duncan. Nominal starter Nicholas Petit-Frere has been suspended six games under the newer leaguewide gambling policy and thus isn’t listed. Dillard is the presumed starter at left tackle after coming over from the reigning NFC champion Eagles. In NPF’s stead, undrafted rookie John Ojukwu makes the initial roster. Expect a signing or two at the position.
Offensive Guard (3)
1. Daniel Brunskill
2. Jamarco Jones
3. Jordan Roos / Dillon Radunz
As mentioned in the tackle section, Skronoski is projected as the starting left guard but it’s certainly possible that he fills the RT void. Brunskill was signed from San Francisco and immediately slots in as a guard/tackle versatile athlete but he’s listed as a guard here. Jones missed the entirety of the 2022 season with injury so he needs a good camp to make the roster. Roos is another familiar name as he has been on the roster for the past couple of seasons as a backup. Much-maligned swing guard / tackle Dillon Radunz was recently listed on the training camp PUP list but could be activated at any time by the team. If he is unable to go, it’s likely that he goes on the regular season PUP.
Center (2)
1. Aaron Brewer
2. Corey Levin
Aaron Brewer is first in line to inherit the throne at center after franchise cornerstone Ben Jones was released during the offseason. Brewer has been on the team for a few seasons, often playing as the sixth lineman. He’s undersized for guard but could be an excellent fit at center. Levin is yet another capable backup that returned to the team after a couple of seasons away.
DEFENSE
IDL (4)
1. Jeffery Simmons
2. Denico Autry
3. Teair Tart
4. Naquan Jones
The top three IDL are obviously spoken for with Jeffery Simmons being one of the best and highly paid tackles in the game. Denico Autry has been a standout for the team for several seasons and carries the team often with his versatility. Tart has been a revelation since coming to the team via undrafted free agency a few seasons ago. He’s in line for a big pay raise somewhere if he keeps his level of play consistently in 2023. Where the debate begins is the fourth IDL spot with several contenders primed to make it. Naquan Jones probably has the edge for now but don’t discount the chances of Jayden Peevy, Jaleel Johnson, Curtis Brooks, and Tyler Shelvin. Historically, this group is where most of the hidden gems have been found for the Titans recently.
EDGE (5)
1. Harold Landry
2. Arden Key
3. Rashad Weaver
4. Thomas Rush
5. Sam Okuayinonu
All things considered, Key was the biggest addition to the group after the Titans released Bud Dupree. Landry will be coming off an ACL injury so his reps will be monitored to begin the season. Weaver returns after a great season covering for Landry’s injury. Due to Landry’s recovery, it could be very well that the Titans could shorten the IDL group in exchange for strengthening the EDGE. Altogether the back-end fight for spots will be interesting with Rush, Okuayinonu, and Caleb Murphy battling it out.
Inside Linebacker (5)
1. Azeez Al-Shaair
2. Monty Rice
3. Jack Gibbens
4. Luke Gifford
5. Chance Campbell
Al-Shaair finally gets his chance to step into a bigger, more full-time role after leaving the 49ers. If not for the offensive line and a pre-Hopkins receiver group, the inside linebacker room might be the most unproven. Rice returns as a starter. “Dr. Jack” Gibbens also returns after spending 2022 largely in a backup special teams role. Gifford was an off-season signee from the Dallas Cowboys and will be primarily used on special teams. Campbell was a 2022 draftee who missed all of last season due to injury. There’s room here for someone to claim a backup spot like Ben Niemann and Otis Reese IV.
Cornerback (6)
1. Kristian Fulton
2. Sean Murphy-Bunting
3. Roger McCreary
4. Tre Avery
5. Caleb Farley
6. Elijah Molden
Not a whole lot has changed for the cornerbacks except for the SMB signing from Tampa Bay. Fulton is in a contract year so he needs to prove that he’s capable of staying healthy. McCreary had an inconsistent trial-by-fire season as a rookie so he’ll be looking to get better as a sophomore. Avery returns after playing well in spot duty last season. Farley is barely hanging on a thread given his health issues and he begins training camp on PUP. Perhaps 2023 is the season he finally turns the light on and stays healthy. The former Washington defensive back, Elijah Molden, was utilized as a safety during the spring and summer as Kevin Byard skipped the workouts. He’s listed as a corner but could be used as a third safety in certain packages. Expect a spirited competition for the last couple of spots here.
Safety (4)
1. Kevin Byard
2. Amani Hooker
3. Chris Jackson
4. Anthony Kendall
Tennessee’s perennial Pro Bowl safety Kevin Byard and starter Amani Hooker are already spoken for as one of the best safety duos in the league. Chris Jackson has cornerback/safety versatility so his spot is possibly assured barring injury or really good play by undrafted rookies and lesser-known veterans like Tyreque Jones, Matthew Jackson, and Shyheim Carter. The aforementioned defensive backs and Kendall could be playing for one spot so the competition will be fierce.
Special Teams
K: Caleb Shudak
P: Ryan Stonehouse
LS: Morgan Cox
There is a kicking competition between Shudak and 2023 UDFA Trey Wolfe. Rising sophomore punter Ryan Stonehouse was an emphatic replacement for Titans legend Brett Kern last season, earning a Pro Bowl nod as a rookie. The former Baltimore Raven Morgan Cox returns for another go at long snapper as well. The probability is very astronomical that a free-agent kicker is brought in for additional competition. Admittedly, the kicker duel will likely settle the prediction that the Tennessee Titans might seek alternative options for special teams coach.
Offense: 26
Defense: 24
Special Teams: 3
Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports
