Tennessee Titans 53-man roster projection: Revamped passing game takes focus heading into camp

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans open the season on Sept. 11 after they host the New York Giants.

The Titans completed the 2021 season with a 12-5 report, touchdown them as the highest seed of the AFC. It was Tennessee’s fourth consecutive season with at the least 9 wins below coach Mike Vrabel.

The largest offseason transfer for the Titans occurred on draft night time after they traded star extensive receiver A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles, the place they drafted Treylon Burks within the first spherical to assist solidify the passing sport, together with the addition of veterans Austin Hooper and Robert Woods.

The protection stays intact for essentially the most half with second-year cornerback Caleb Farley set to take a beginning spot after Jackrabbit Jenkins was launched.

This is a have a look at the projection of the 53-man roster:

QUARTERBACK (3): Ryan Tannehill, Logan Woodside, Malik Willis

Tannehill is again for an additional season below middle with the Titans and regarded sharp throughout minicamp. He is on the lookout for a bounce again yr after a tricky 2021 season. Titans basic supervisor Jon Robinson used a third-round choose to get their quarterback of the long run in Willis. Woodside would be the seemingly backup for the reason that staff is taking the gradual growth method to grooming Willis.

RUNNING BACK (5): Derrick Henry, Dontrell Hilliard, Hassan Haskins, Trenton Cannon, Tory Carter (FB)

There’s some uncertainty after Henry, however the Titans imagine they’ve sturdy choices in Hilliard and Haskins. Hilliard in all probability takes on the third-down again position whereas Haskins is a really succesful pass-catcher out of the backfield. Cannon will make a powerful case for a roster spot due to his particular groups capability. It was robust leaving Jordan Wilkins off the roster, however the Titans workers appears to be actually excessive on Cannon as a gunner and kick returner. Carter takes over at fullback and he’ll play on particular groups.

WIDE RECEIVERS (6): Robert Woods, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Treylon Burks, Dez Fitzpatrick, Racey McMath, Kyle Phillips

The receiver place has its share of questions. Woods made a outstanding return to the sector for voluntary OTAs after tearing his left ACL in November. He’ll be the veteran chief of a reasonably inexperienced group. Burks has had a rocky begin to his profession due to issues related to bronchial asthma. Westbrook-Ikhine is just about a lock to make the roster due to his versatility and particular groups contributions. The remainder of the spots are up for grabs. Fitzpatrick and McMath will compete with free-agent addition Josh Malone for a roster spot whereas Phillips figures to be in a battle with Mason Kinsey for the first slot receiver position.

TIGHT END (3): Austin Hooper, Geoff Swaim, Chigoziem Okonkwo

The revamped tight finish room can be an enormous a part of the passing sport. Hooper will seemingly get many of the targets and has already surfaced as considered one of Tannehill’s most popular choices within the passing sport. Swaim is the blocking tight finish. Okonkwo is a formidable rookie prospect who can line up in every single place and current favorable matchups. Tannehill, Woodside and Willis all went to Okonkwo with success ceaselessly throughout minicamp. Briley Moore-McKinney has an outdoor likelihood to make the roster if the staff decides to maintain 4 tight ends.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Taylor Lewan, Jamarco Jones, Ben Jones, Nate Davis, Dillon Radunz, Aaron Brewer, Corey Levin, Nicholas Petit-Frere, Jalen McKenzie

Offensive line is the place there’s the most important query on offense. Radunz seems prone to nail down the beginning proper sort out spot, however left guard stays in query. The flexibility that Jones (T/G), Brewer (G/C) and Levin (G/C) deliver permits the Titans to maintain 9 offensive lineman on the roster. McKenzie is an intriguing participant who has loads of upside at sort out and makes the roster as an undrafted free agent.

DEFENSIVE LINE (5): Jeffery Simmons, Denico Autry, Teair Tart, Larrell Murchison, Naquan Jones

Simmons and Autry make up an enormous a part of the Titans’ dominating entrance 4. Tart is an underrated run stopper and has cemented a job within the line of defense rotation. Murchison and Jones might be challenged by undrafted free agent Haskell Garrett for a roster spot.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (4): Bud Dupree, Harold Landry, Rashad Weaver, Ola Adeniyi

Landry simply signed an enormous contract that brings him again, together with Dupree, to finish the skin linebacker portion of the Titans’ entrance 4. Dupree is seeking to have a much bigger influence this season since he can be at full well being getting into camp. Weaver impressed as a rookie in coaching camp final yr earlier than struggling a damaged proper fibula. Adeniyi will get reps at outdoors linebacker and stays one of many Titans’ key particular groups gamers.

INSIDE LINEBACKER (5): David Lengthy Jr., Zach Cunningham, Monty Rice, Dylan Cole, Likelihood Campbell

Lengthy and Cunningham type a violent sideline to sideline duo. Rice is working to return from an Achilles harm, however he’ll lock down a spot within the rotation and see his share of taking part in time. Cole and Campbell are depth items that can in all probability be particular groups contributors.

CORNERBACK (6): Kristian Fulton, Caleb Farley, Elijah Molden, Buster Skrine, Roger McCreary, Chris Jackson

Versatility is the calling card for the Titans’ younger cornerback room. Titans cornerbacks coach Anthony Midget likes having a bunch that may play on the within and out of doors. Farley steps right into a beginning position reverse Fulton. Molden returns as the first nickel nook. McCreary, Skrine and Jackson spherical out the group.

SAFETY (4): Kevin Byard, Amani Hooker, Theo Jackson, A.J. Moore

Byard and Hooker return because the starters. Hooker might get an occasional alternative as a punt returner. Jackson figures to be the third security that can be utilized in dime packages and to match up with tight ends. Moore can play some security as properly. He’ll principally be a particular groups contributor.

SPECIALISTS (3): Randy Bullock, Brett Kern, Morgan Cox

Bullock returns after signing a two-year, $4.68 million deal. Kern stays among the finest punters within the league. Cox’s identify wasn’t talked about a lot, if in any respect, final yr. That is at all times a superb factor for the long-snapper.