The Tennessee Titans are getting set to kick off training camp this week. After a few of weeks of practice, the team will take part in their first preseason game of 2024 against the San Francisco 49ers.
We already know the Titans have undergone a massive overhaul this offseason. After another disappointing campaign in 2023, the team has a new coaching staff and several new starters on both sides of the ball.
Looking at the roster, we have a decent idea of who most of the starters will be, and training camp and the preseason will help us determine who will fill in the depth spots.
Before the first practice of training camp, let's try and predict what the team's initial 53-man roster will be once final cuts are made on Aug. 27.
Tennessee Titans 53-man roster prediction
Quarterbacks (2): Will Levis, Mason Rudolph
It's the Will Levis show in Nashville. The young passer showed promising signs as a rookie and will look to take the next step with an improved supporting cast.
Mason Rudolph is a veteran with strong starting experience who was brought in to mentor Levis and step in if needed. Currently, former third-round pick Malik Willis is the only other quarterback on the roster.
It's entirely possible the Titans keep Willis as QB3, or even on the practice squad if he makes it through waivers after being cut. But he may also be nearing the end of his disappointing tenure in Nashville.
Running Backs (4): Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, Julius Chestnut, Jabari Small
All eyes will be on the Titans' running backs room after the departure of Derrick Henry. Pollard was brought in early in free agency to offset that loss, and the veteran will team up with Spears to form a potent duo.
It's likely the team will keep two backs behind them. Hassan Haskins is still around but he's a product of the previous regime, as is Chestnut. Dillon Johnson is an intriguing UDFA like Small, but there will likely only be room for one.
For now, Small and Chestnut get the spots, but this could easily change.
Wide Receivers (6): DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, Treylon Burks, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Jha'Quan Jackson
Perhaps no position group on the Titans' roster improved more this offseason than the wide receivers. Hopkins is still one of the best in the league, and Ridley is another 1,000-yard receiver with elite flashes.
Boyd and Westbrook-Ikhine are sure-handed veterans. Burks will likely get one season to show the new staff he can live up to his draft pedigree.
For now, the rookie Jackson gets the final spot due to his ability in the return game. Colton Dowell, Kearis Jackson and Kyle Philips are practice squad candidates if they get cut.
Tight Ends (4): Chigoziem Okonkwo, Josh Whyle, Nick Vannett, Thomas Odukoya
Okonkwo is entrenched as the starter, but Whyle should get plenty of chances in his sophomore season. Vannett is a well-traveled veteran who offers some upside as a receiving threat at TE3.
Odukoya impressed last summer and should be the favorite for the TE4 job, if there is one. Keep an eye on UDFA David Martin-Robinson, who could challenge Odukoya or Vannett for a spot.
Offensive Line (9): JC Latham, Peter Skoronski, Lloyd Cushenberry, Saahdiq Charles, Nicholas Petit-Freere, Geron Christian, Daniel Brunskill, Dillon Radunz, Leroy Watson
Three of the starting offensive line spots are set with Latham, Skoronski and Cushenberry.
Charles has to be considered the favorite to win the right guard job, with Brunskill getting run at center this summer. Petit-Frere and Watson are battling for the right tackle job, while Radunz and Christian are versatile depth pieces.
Jaelyn Duncan and John Ojukwu are interesting pieces that could land on the practice squad if they can't beat out Watson and/or Christian.
Defensive Line (5): Jeffery Simmons, Sebastian Joseph-Day, T'Vondre Sweat, Marlon Davidson, Keondre Coburn
The starters are set here, with Joseph-Day, Sweat and Simmons providing a dangerous front. As long as Sweat is healthy, I don't see any reason to keep more than five players on the defensive line.
For now, Coburn and Davidson get the nod. TK McLendon has flashed in spurts, and an outside addition could be made at some point. But this is the group we're going with currently.
EDGE (5): Harold Landry, Arden Key, Rashad Weaver, Jaylen Harrell, Khalid Duke
The edge rusher group is another spot that could see a UDFA crack the roster. This is a top-heavy group, with Landry and Key providing a couple of solid options.
Weaver is still trying to figure it out at the NFL level, while Harrell was a late-round pick who was productive in college. Duke is an intriguing prospect from Kansas State who has the build to be a successful NFL pass-rusher. Duke beats out Caleb Murphy and Thomas Rush.
Linebackers (5): Kenneth Murray, Jack Gibbens, Cedric Gray, Otis Reese, Luke Gifford
The Titans enter camp with a crowded linebackers room. Gray and Murray should be the favorites to start, while Gibbens and Reese should see the field as well. Due to the depth here, I believe the team will keep five, with Gifford being the final selection.
Gifford makes the cut due to his special teams prowess. That gives the veteran the edge over Garret Wallow, Chance Campbell, and the rookie James Williams.
Cornerbacks (6): L'Jarius Sneed, Chidobe Awuzie, Roger McCreary, Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Caleb Farley, Eric Garror
If the wide receivers room isn't the most improved position, then the cornerbacks room definitely is. Sneed and Awuzie give the team a deadly starting duo on the outside, while McCreary has blossomed into a solid nickel.
The rookie Brownlee should earn a role. Farley likely sticks around for one more season due to his draft pedigree, while Garror will have to fend off Tre Avery, Tay Gowan, and others.
Safeties (4): Jamal Adams, Amani Hooker, Elijah Molden, Mike Brown
The Titans recently added the veteran Adams, solidifying the other safety spot next to Hooker. Molden will stick around and see plenty of action, while Brown provides special teams help.
Shyheim Carter and Matthew Jackson will battle Brown for that final spot, but ultimately Brown gets the job.
Specialists (3): K Nick Folk, P Ryan Stonehouse, LS Morgan Cox
As long as Stonehouse is healthy, the punter job is his. Folk is locked-in for another year, as is Cox.
