Now that the NFL’s offseason lull is in full swing, it’s time to take a gander at the Titans’ roster. OTAs and minicamp are done and dusted for 2024. Coaches, players, and office staff are heading out on vacation for over a month, although the league wants to alter things for next year, much to the chagrin of EVERYONE. That’s a story for another day. It’s time to project the 53-man roster for Tennessee, summer school style.
2024 Titans Roster Prediction: Summer Edition
OFFENSE
Quarterback (3)
1. Will Levis
2. Mason Rudolph
3. Malik Willis
Levis returns as the starter after an inconsistent rookie campaign as the clear-cut number-one option. The team has invested heavily around him to see what he’s got. Rudolph should win the backup job handily over a still-developing Willis, as he played well during the latter stages of his Pittsburgh career. As mentioned above, Willis should be the “active” emergency third quarterback that teams can designate in case of injury. This current administration didn’t draft Willis, so expect Tennessee to explore options on the waiver wire once preseason cuts are submitted.
Running Back (4)
1. Tyjae Spears
2. Tony Pollard
3. Dillon Johnson
4. Hassan Haskins
Franchise icon Derrick Henry is donning the purple and black for the Ravens for the foreseeable future. In steps former Dallas Cowboys rusher Tony Pollard to supplement Tyjae Spears. The rising sophomore Spears had a sensational debut campaign, being Henry’s backup last season. It’s his turn in the spotlight for a franchise that has churned out top-level running backs like clockwork. The running back room behind the top two is sparse, to say the least, with incumbents Julius Chestnut and Hassan Haskins returning. UDFAs like Dillon Johnson and Jabari Small can compete for a spot here. Johnson is the likelier of the two to make the roster, given the need for size in the backfield. Haskins makes it in due to his special teams ability but is on thin ice.
Wide Receiver (6)
1. DeAndre Hopkins
2. Calvin Ridley
3. Tyler Boyd
4. Treylon Burks
5. Nick Westbrook-Ihkine
6. Jha’Quan Jackson
Tennessee dramatically remade its receiver room over the offseason, adding Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd to complement DeAndre Hopkins. While Burks probably isn’t in danger of losing a roster spot, he’s treading on thin ice. Veteran NWI finally finds his comfort zone as WR5 instead of the WR2 role he has played in the past. Sixth-round rookie Jha’Quan Jackson makes the team as a return specialist who drew rave reviews during the offseason. Notably, Kyle Philips and Kearis Jackson miss out. 2023 seventh-round choice Colton Dowell likely begins the campaign on PUP due to an injury suffered late last season.
Tight End (3*)
1. Chig Okonkwo
2. Josh Whyle
3. Nick Vannett
IPP Thomas Odukoya
The tight end room will be considerably lighter than in years past due to Brian Callahan preferring more receivers than the position group in his system. Nick Vannett was a recent veteran signing, so he made the team. Thomas Odukoya’s status is unclear as of this writing, as the IPP rules have changed over the past year or so. He was on the active roster for some of last season.
Tackle (4)
1. JC Latham
2. Geron Christian
3. Nicholas Petit-Frere
4. Jaelyn Duncan
Tennessee is putting a lot of faith in first-round rookie JC Latham as the franchise left tackle. There’s not a whole lot of proven depth behind him. The tackle competition at right tackle is down to four as Jaelyn Duncan, Nicholas Petit-Frere, Leroy Watson, and John Ojukwu battle it out. Watson and Christian are intriguing options as they bring experience in Bill Callahan’s system, so one or both will likely make the team. Duncan is on the hot seat after performing poorly last season as a raw and untested rookie. NPF’s seat is scorching after not doing much, and he was suspended for alleged PED use in 2023. Expect Tennessee to kick the tires if a good camp-cut option emerges.
Guard (4)
1. Peter Skoronski
2. Saahdiq Charles
3. Dillon Radunz
4. Cole Spencer
The interesting thing with the guards is that Charles has seemingly supplanted Daniel Brunskill as the starter. Skronoski will look to build on a solid first season at left guard. Radunz is a longtime fan favorite who has experience at both tackle spots and was moved to guard permanently this offseason. Spencer is a UDFA who got a significant guarantee at signing and is better than the back-end competition.
Center (2)
1. Lloyd Cushenberry III
2. Daniel Brunskill
Cushenberry’s signing came at a significant cost to the Titans, who upgraded the center position with his signing. Brunskill is the backup at center as the organization looks for the best five up front. He can swing between guard and center, so his versatility is a plus.
DEFENSE
IDL (4)
1. Jeffery Simmons
2. T’Vondre Sweat
3. Sebastian Joseph-Day
4. Marlon Davidson
Big Jeff is formidable as ever and he’s joined by a massive human being in the form of T’Vondre Sweat. Sebastian Joseph-Day might be an astute pick-up as he can play both defensive end and defensive tackle. Davidson was above average when he played over the last couple of seasons in Nashville and he was brought back after the initial wave of free agency. TK McClendon, Keondre Coburn, and Quinton Bohana just fall short of making the roster in this edition.
EDGE (5)
1. Harold Landry III
2. Arden Key
3. Rashad Weaver
4. Khalid Duke
5. Jaylen Harrell
The top two EDGE rushers are spoken for, but the depth behind them could require a little upgrading in terms of firepower. Weaver is a decent third EDGE piece but isn’t the greatest starter and is still unproven. Duke was a toolsy star in college but is undersized, but his tools warrant a further look on the active roster. Harrell is a seventh-round rookie who must showcase a lot to beat out the likes of Caleb Murphy and Thomas Rush.
ILB (5)
1. Kenneth Murray
2. Otis Reese IV
3. Jack Gibbens
4. Cedric Gray
5. James Williams
Inside linebacker is another position that went through a makeover. Kenneth Murray was brought on from the Chargers to replace Azeez Al-Shaair, who left for the Texans. Cedric Gray is a fourth-round rookie competing for a starting role. Gibbens is in line to return to his starting job from last season. Otis Reese was a productive rookie last season when used, so he’ll look to build upon his progress in year two. Williams is a converted safety who will likely win out based on his special teams play.
Cornerback (6)
1. L’Jarius Sneed
2. Chidobe Awuzie
3. Roger McCreary
4. Caleb Farley
5. Jarvis Brownlee, Jr
6. Gabe Jeudy-Lally
Another position group remade on the fly was the cornerback room at the top. To improve a flagging room, they traded for star L’Jarius Sneed and signed former Bengals corner Chidobe Awuzie. Roger McCreary returns after a good start to his young career. In this edition, Caleb Farley makes the roster as a former first-round selection on his last legs. He’s been through so much and deserves an opportunity to be healthy and finally make a name for himself. Fifth-round rookie Jarvis Brownlee, Jr makes it, as does UDFA Gabe Jeudy-Lally, after a standout offseason running in place of the aforementioned Sneed. Incumbents Tre Avery and Eric Garror do not make the roster as the talent level is upgraded.
Safety (4)
1. Elijah Molden
2. Amani Hooker
3. Shyheim Carter
4. Mike Brown
Safety is still a glaring need, like a Las Vegas neon sign seen from outer space. Currently, Elijah Molden and Amani Hooker are the starters. At his best, Molden profiles as a third safety in a big nickel package. As it stands, Carter and Brown are tenured with the team with at least two or three seasons in Nashville. Matthew Jackson is another possibility.
Special Teams
K: Nick Folk
P: Ryan Stonehouse
LS: Morgan Cox
The special teams battery returns for another turn at bat. However, Mr. Stonehouse’s health is a question mark, as he was injured late last season on a blocked punt. If his health isn’t where it should be, Ty Zentner is/was capable of stepping in, as he proved last season.
Breakdown
Offense: 26
Defense: 24
Special Teams: 3
Main Image: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
