The Tennessee Titans have completed their 2023 season preparations with a final home victory with the New England Patriots. Tennessee had a roster that was primarily set minus a few position battles here and there. Did the preseason change a few minds in the front office? Injuries have decimated one position in particular and made the prediction murky. It’s a great time as any to give out the final roster predictions before the cutdown day arrives!
You can find my pre-preseason roster predictions here.
Final Tennessee Titans Roster Prediction
OFFENSE
Quarterback (3)
1. Ryan Tannehill
2. Malik Willis
3. Will Levis
The status quo remains for the quarterback room as Tannehill is the unquestioned starter. Willis has gotten the lion’s share of the work in the preseason over the rookie Levis. He has shown that he carried over his improvement over the summer into actual games. The downside is that Willis has shown that he still has some ongoing development. It’s likely that he’s the top backup option. Levis hasn’t played much due to an injury suffered in a joint practice against the Vikings.
Running Back (4)
1. Derrick Henry
2. Tyjae Spears
3. Jacques Patrick
4. Julius Chestnut
Spears has been a breath of fresh air in the running back room and features a lot of juice as the backup to King Henry. Chestnut led the team in rushing and scored three touchdowns during the preseason. He’s proving to be an able RB3. Patrick supplants Hassan Haskins due to contract and Haskins’ legal and injury troubles. Jonathan Ward was injured during the first game and could not play in the remaining games as a result. He will lose a roster spot as a result.
Wide Receiver (6)
1. DeAndre Hopkins
2. Treylon Burks
3. Kyle Philips
4. Chris Moore
5. Reggie Roberson, Jr
6. Kearis Jackson
The back end of the depth chart here is the most intriguing to watch as the contenders have had moments of good play. A possible wrench into the guesswork is the extent of Philip’s injury. If his injury is severe, it could mean one or two more make it. He makes it onto the 53 for now. Jackson has done enough as a returner and receiver to earn a spot on the senior squad. Roberson did the same as well. It could be interesting to see if seventh-round selection Colton Dowell makes it over UDFA signee Tre’Shaun Harrison.
Tight End (4)
1. Chig Okonkwo
2. Trevon Wesco
3. Josh Whyle
4. Thomas Odokuya
Tight end is another position that was largely set long ago but Josh Whyle didn’t have the most brilliant campaign. He’ll be a prominent backup to Okonkwo in certain packages. The last spot goes to Odokuya who came on like gangbusters in the preseason to earn it after an excellent offseason. It’s certainly possible that they will carry five but with the tenuous receiver situation, four is it.
Offensive Tackle (4)
1. Andre Dillard
2. Jaelyn Duncan
3. Chris Hubbard
4. Justin Murray
5. Nicholas Petit-Frere (Suspended)
The tackle position hasn’t changed much from the original projection with Dillard manning the left side. Duncan has had moments of good play mixed in with bad. He’ll likely make the roster as a long-term backup at right tackle. Hubbard and Murray were late training camp adds and have played well enough to earn roster spots for now. NPF has played very little despite needing all the reps before returning to the suspended list. Perhaps the front office sifts through the waiver wire for a possible starter at right tackle.
Offensive Guard (3)
1. Peter Skoronski
2. Daniel Brunskill
3. Jordan Roos
4. Dillon Radunz (PUP)
Skoronski lived up to the hype and then some that his first-round selection merited. He will slot in as an immediate starter at left guard. Unfortunately, Brunskill was injured in the last preseason game so his status is up in the air. He has earned the start at right guard if healthy. It was a very pitched battle for the last guard spot between Roos and Xavier Newman in this exercise. Both players showed flashes of great play but Roos won the spot. Radunz remains on PUP and will do so for some time as he recovers from a late-season injury. It’s certainly possible that the team will look for outside help at the position depending on Brunskill’s health.
Center (2)
1. Aaron Brewer
2. Corey Levin
The vacancy left by Ben Jones at the center spot has been filled capably by Brewer. He’s been very good during the preseason and looks right at home in his new position. Levin brings a wealth of experience as a backup option with prior history with the team. He has done little to nothing to jeopardize his standing within it.
DEFENSE
Interior Defensive Line (5)
1. Jeffery Simmons
2. Denico Autry
3. Teair Tart
4. Jayden Peevy
5. Michael Dwumfour
The only spot up for grabs on the interior is the fourth spot between several intriguing options. Peevy is the leader in the clubhouse after a good offseason showing. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the team opted for five IDL and four EDGE players. Recent signing Michael Dwumfour has flashed a lot during the preseason so he might be a stronger contender to make it. Kyle Peko is another one who spent time with the team last season but didn’t do much in the preseason to merit a spot.
EDGE (4)
1. Harold Landry
2. Arden Key
3. Rashad Weaver
4. Caleb Murphy
Murphy had a great preseason showing as he led the team in sacks after leading all of FCS in that category last season. He has more than earned a spot on the 53 as a result. The rookie made this rendition after fending off a stern challenge from returnee Sam Okuayinonu. Landry played in the last preseason game to shake off the rust and he was back to his normal self. Weaver was consistently himself, which is a good thing as a key reserve.
Inside Linebacker (5)
1. Azeez Al-Shaair
2. Jack Gibbens
3. Luke Gifford
4. Ben Niemann
5. Chance Campbell
Gibbens took command of the starting role during the offseason and never let it go this month. Both primary special teams signings make the roster as well. Gifford and Niemann flashed enough on defense to earn their roles. Campbell makes it in after a solid effort during the preseason. He has a lot of potential to become an eventual starter down the road. Monty Rice does not make the team after getting passed up on the depth chart and injured.
Corner (6)
1. Kristian Fulton
2. Sean Murphy-Bunting
3. Roger McCreary
4. Tre Avery
5. Armani Marsh
6. Eric Garror
7. Caleb Farley (PUP)
The cornerback group was the most competitive for the back end of the roster. There were a lot of good options for the front office to choose from. Caleb Farley is certainly going on regular-season PUP after his long-term injury which will free up a spot. As a result, Armani Marsh makes it initially here. Garror had an outstanding preseason at corner and has special teams value so he makes it also. Anthony Kendall is another name to watch out for as a surprise entry.
Safety (4)
1. Kevin Byard
2. Amani Hooker
3. Elijah Molden
4. Mike Brown
Tennessee’s top three are spoken for so not much will be repeated here. The last safety spot will be a battle between Brown and Shyheim Carter with Josh Thompson on the outside looking in. Thompson simply ran out of time as he was only activated off of PUP three weeks ago. Both Carter and Brown were really good during the offseason and camp process. In this exercise, Brown gets the nod over Carter but it wouldn’t be surprising if Carter won the job as well. There’s a remote possibility that the team carries five safeties and five corners but four is the likely number.
Special Teams
K: Michael Badgley
P: Ryan Stonehouse
LS: Morgan Cox
The franchise surprisingly released the main two competitors for the kicker position before signing Michael Badgley. He currently occupies the eternal hot seat for now. Interestingly, he was part of the unending search for a kicker until Randy Bullock solidified things for a few years. Given his lack of substantial pedigree, it could be a certainty that the team will explore the market further. Meanwhile, punter and long snapper have long been spoken for.
Offense: 26
Defense: 24
Special Teams: 3
Main Image: Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK
