The Tennessee Titans recently made the necessary cuts to get down to a 53-man roster. Now, the team has to prepare for a Week 1 matchup against the Chicago Bears.
As is usually the case, there were a few surprises with the Titans’ initial roster. For example, the team kept five tight ends and six inside linebackers. Meanwhile, the team went light on cornerbacks, keeping only four on the initial roster.
While the roster looks much improved over last year’s version, there are still some holes. Most of the starters seem passable, at worst, but the depth is concerning in a few spots. Today, let’s identify the three positions that appear to be the biggest weaknesses on this roster.
Tennessee Titans biggest roster weaknesses
EDGE
The Titans kept five edge rushers on the initial roster: Harold Landry III, Arden Key, Rashad Weaver, Jaylen Harrell, and Caleb Murphy. However, Weaver didn't last long, as the team claimed fellow edge rusher Ali Gaye on waivers and Weaver was cut.
Regardless, there are still just five edge rushers on the roster and three of them have no NFL experience. Landry and Key are above-average starters, but any injury would cause a massive hole on the edge in Nashville.
Any one of Harrell, Murphy, or Gaye could turn into a solid player, but it’s hard to have faith when none of them are proven. It was shocking to see the veteran Shane Ray not make the squad. The Titans are currently showing interest in veteran Tyus Bowser, who would help shore up the depth concerns.
Defensive line
Like the edge rushers, the defensive line has solid starters in place. The real concern here is the depth, which is only Keondre Coburn.
That’s right, the Titans have Sebastian Joseph-Day, Jeffery Simmons, and T’Vondre Sweat as starters, but Coburn was the one reserve kept on the roster. Surely this will not be the case for the entire season, but it’s nerve-wracking to have paper-thin depth at a position.
Abdullah Anderson and Isaiah Iton are on the practice squad, but neither is a reliable option and it’s still concerning to have no depth on gameday.
Offensive line
The left side of the Titans’ offensive line appears to be in good shape. Rookie JC Latham will handle the left tackle spot while Peter Skoronski mans left guard. Lloyd Cushenberry should be a huge improvement at center, as well.
However, the right side is where the concerns come into play. Former second-round pick Dillon Radunz is slated to start at right guard, while Nicholas Petit-Frere will be the right tackle.
Neither player has been especially impressive in their short NFL careers, and the sudden retirement of Saahdiq Charles makes things shakier. The depth as a whole on the line is concerning. The team went with youth as John Ojukwu, Andrew Rupcich, and Jaelyn Duncan each made the team.
