The Tennessee Titans have released their latest unofficial depth chart ahead of the preseason Week 3 contest against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Titans will complete their second round of cuts no later than 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, but they began the process of trimming down their roster to 80 on Monday by waiving wideout Terry Godwin, outside linebacker Justin Lawler, defensive back Shyheim Carter and cornerback Shakur Brown. Carter and Brown were waived with injury designations.
There were no significant changes in this latest version of the depth chart, and the Titans are still keeping their biggest starting competitions at right tackle, cornerback and left guard close to the vest.
Here’s a look at each position on the depth chart, and some analysis for each.
Note: Depth chart pecking order goes from left to right, and then down to the next row and from left to right again.
Quarterbacks
Starter | Backup | Backup |
Ryan Tannehill | Logan Woodside | Malik Willis |
We all know Willis should be listed as the No. 2, something he has earned by outplaying Woodside this offseason, but the Titans are keeping him at No. 3 for now.
Running backs
Starter | Backup | Backup |
Derrick Henry | Dontrell Hilliard | Tory Carter(FB) |
Hassan Haskins | Trenton Cannon | |
Julius Chestnut | ||
Haskins occupied one of the bottom spots on the depth chart last time around, but he has now moved ahead of the veteran Cannon. Both Cannon and Chestnut are on the roster bubble.
Wide receivers
Starter (WR1) | Backup | Backup |
Robert Woods | Kyle Philips | Dez Fitzpatrick |
Mason Kinsey |
Philips remains in the top backup spot behind Woods, a spot he has no doubt earned after easily outplaying both Fitzpatrick and Kinsey.
Starter (WR2) | Backup | Backup |
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine | Treylon Burks | Racey McMath |
Cody Hollister | Reggie Roberson |
We expect NWI to get the start opposite Woods out of the gate, but it would be very disappointing if Burks doesn’t surpass him at some point this season barring NWI lighting the world on fire. Roberson should be ahead of Hollister based on their respective offseason performances.
Tight ends
Starter | Backup | Backup |
Austin Hooper | Chig Okonkwo | |
Geoff Swaim | Tommy Hudson | Thomas Odukoya
David Wells |
The Titans have once again opted to go with two tight end spots on their depth chart. It remains to be seen if that means they’ll be running more two-tight-end sets in 2022 or if this is just another way of keeping the No. 3 wide receiver battle under the vest. Hudson will be the team’s No. 4 tight end if they decide to carry one, and if he can remain healthy.
Offensive line
Position | Starter | Backup | Backup |
LT | Taylor Lewan | Christian DiLauro | Jalen McKenzie
Xavier Newman
|
LG | Aaron Brewer/Jamarco Jones | Xavier Newman | |
C | Ben Jones | Corey Levin | Hayden Howerton
Willie Wright |
RG | Nate Davis | Jordan Roos | Andrew Rupcich |
RT | Dillon Radunz/Nicholas Petit-Frere |
The Titans once again went with slashes at right tackle and left guard to denote that neither competition has been decided. We think Brewer has left guard wrapped up, though.
Defensive line
Position | Starter | Backup | Backup |
DE | Denico Autry | DeMarcus Walker | Da’Shawn Hand
Larrell Murchison |
NT | Teair Tart | Naquan Jones | Jayden Peevy |
DT | Jeffery Simmons | Kevin Strong | Sam Okuayinonu |
Murchison is in real danger of not making the roster, as Walker and Hand have both been better. Jones’ spot may not be safe, either, after a quiet offseason thus far.
Inside linebackers
Starter | Backup | Backup |
David Long | Chance Campbell | Monty Rice (PUP)
Jack Gibbens |
Zach Cunningham | Dylan Cole | Joe Jones |
Rice is likely listed behind Campbell because he’s on the PUP list. Teams can begin moving players from the active/PUP list to the reserve/PUP list at 4 p.m. ET Tuesday, but any player placed on the latter list must miss the first four games of the season. It’ll be interesting to see if Rice lands there.
Outside linebackers
Starter | Backup | Backup |
Harold Landry | Ola Adeniyi | David Anenih |
Bud Dupree | Rashad Weaver |
Weaver should be the first guy off the bench behind Landry and Dupree. Anenih has tallied three sacks this preseason and might sneak his way on to the initial 53-man roster.
Cornerbacks
Starter | Backup | Backup |
Kristian Fulton | Elijah Molden | Chris Jackson
Tre Swilling |
Caleb Farley/Roger McCreary | Greg Mabin | Tre Avery |
Farley and McCreary are separated by a slash, denoting the competition has yet to be decided. McCreary may not ultimately win it, but he has given Farley a run for his money.
Safeties
Starter | Backup | Backup |
Kevin Byard | A.J. Moore | Joshua Kalu
Tyree Gillespie |
Amani Hooker | Theo Jackson | Adrian Colbert
Lonnie Johnson Jr. |
Jackson remains in the top backup spot behind Hooker despite Tennessee bringing in some more experienced players recently. Tennessee also has Johnson listed as a safety, not a cornerback.
Specialists
Position | Starter | Backup | Backup |
K | Randy Bullock | Caleb Shudak (PUP) | |
KO | Randy Bullock | Caleb Shudak (PUP) | |
P | Brett Kern | Ryan Stonehouse | |
H | Brett Kern | Ryan Stonehouse | |
PR | Kyle Philips | Mason Kinsey | Reggie Roberson |
KR | Dontrell Hilliard | Trenton Cannon | Mason Kinsey |
LS | Morgan Cox | Ben Jones |
Shudak remains on the PUP list and hasn’t been able to challenge Bullock like we thought he might. Stonehouse has done a nice job, but we expect at least one more year from Kern.