The Tennessee Titans completed rookie minicamp this past weekend in what is the latest small step toward the 2023 NFL season — and with that step comes a way-too-early 53-man roster projection.
There’s a lot of evaluating for head coach Mike Vrabel and Co. to do over the next few months with OTAs, mandatory minicamp and then training camp still to come, hence the “way-too-early” part.
The cutdown process will be a bit different this year, with the NFL changing the rules so that teams will trim their rosters from 90 to 53 in a single day, with that date coming on August 29.
While the Titans do have a good amount of starting spots set on both sides of the ball, there remain some starting jobs up for grabs, as well as a slew of backup ones.
After the conclusion of rookie minicamp, and with organized team activities ahead on May 22, here’s a look at my first 53-man roster projection for the 2023 campaign.
Quarterbacks (3)
Quarterbacks: Ryan Tannehill, Malik Willis, Will Levis
I still think there’s a good chance either Tannehill or Willis are moved before the start of the season, but I wouldn’t blame the Titans for carrying a third quarterback.
Doing so gives the team a little extra insurance in case Tannehill gets hurt again, and it helps prevent throwing Levis out there before he’s ready, with Willis as the buffer.
In addition, the Titans will have more time to seek trades for Tannehill and Willis, both of whom would be candidates to be moved at the deadline.
Running backs (3)
Running backs: Derrick Henry, Hassan Haskins, Tyjae Spears
A fourth is possible here, whether it be another running back or fullback, although Tennessee currently doesn’t have a fullback on the roster.
Tight ends Trevon Wesco and/or Kevin Rader should be able to play the latter role if Tennessee needs, and with Henry dominating snaps once again, a fourth running back isn’t totally necessary.
Wide receivers (6)
Wide receivers: Treylon Burks, Kyle Philips, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Chris Moore, Racey McMath, Colton Dowell
I’d pencil in Burks, Philips and NWI as locks, and Moore is close to a lock. McMath and Dowell are the favorites for the final one or two spots, but it wouldn’t shock me at all to see Reggie Roberson or a UDFA nab one.
I wouldn’t rule out some semblance of a notable addition to the room at some point between now and the start of the season, but I’m not holding my breath for one, either.
Tight ends (4)
Tight ends: Chigoziem Okonkwo, Trevon Wesco, Josh Whyle, Kevin Rader
Carrying four tight ends is possible depending on how quickly Whyle picks things up, and if Tennessee wants to use a tight end in a fullback-type role, something Wesco and Rader should be able to do.
Chig and Whyle are locks, and Wesco is about as close to a lock as you can get. The last spot would be completely up for grabs, but Rader has the advantage after playing in 14 games with Tennessee in 2022.
Offensive linemen (9)
Offensive linemen: Andre Dillard (LT), Peter Skoronski (LG), Aaron Brewer (C), Daniel Brunskill (RG), Nicholas Petit-Frere (RT), Corey Levin (G/C), Jamarco Jones (G/T), Jaelyn Duncan (T), John Ojukwu (T), Dillon Radunz (PUP)*
After tearing his ACL late last season, I have Radunz starting out the year on the PUP list, which will buy him more time in Nashville since he can be kept but not count towards the 53-man roster in that situation. I don’t think he’s a lock to make this team otherwise.
The biggest surprise in my projection is the UDFA Ojukwu, but not really when you consider a lot of draft experts had him being selected. I don’t think Duncan is a total lock as a sixth-round pick, but he makes the cut here.
Keep an eye on guys like Andrew Rupcich (T), Jordan Roos (G) and Xavier Newman (C/G) as possibilities for the spots currently owned by Duncan and Ojukwu in this projection.
The first seven are pretty much locked in, with Levin and Jones providing solid backup options inside and out. Both have the ability to play guard, but Levin can also play center, while Jones has the versatility to play tackle. I wouldn’t lock Jones in completely as the primary backup tackle, though.
Defensive line (6)
Defensive line: Jeffery Simmons, Denico Autry, Teair Tart, Naquan Jones, Sam Okuayinonu, Jayden Peevy
We still have not heard anything about Tart since the Titans placed a tender on him, but we’ll just assume he’s coming back to form a stellar starting group with Simmons and Autry.
From there, things are murky and it’s clear the Titans should be in the market for more depth between now and the start of the season.
Jones took a step back in terms of playing time in 2022, but he’s also the elder statesman of the group of backup options in terms of time spent with the Titans.
Sticking with that theme, I’ve also included Okuayinonu, who played in six contests for the Titans last season, and Peevy, who only played in one game but spent the entire year on the practice squad before being promoted to the Titans’ active roster late in the year.
The Titans carried seven D-linemen into last year, so don’t rule out another when it’s all said and done. Guys like UDFA TK McClendon and Curtis Brooks are also on the roster.
Linebackers (4)
Linebackers: Azeez Al-Shaair, Monty Rice, Luke Gifford, Jack Gibbens
Tennessee carried four into 2022, and that’s what I have them doing in 2023. I’d consider Rice, Al-Shaair and Gifford locks, but that fourth spot is very much up for grabs.
For now, I’m rolling with Dr. Gibby, but I’m certainly not sleeping on veteran Ben Niemann, either. Chance Campbell is a total wild card after not playing at all last season due to injury.
Picking Gibbens is probably against my better judgement given Niemann’s experience, but the 2022 UDFA did play fairly well when given an opportunity last season, and I love his nickname.
Outside linebackers (4)
Outside linebackers: Harold Landry, Arden Key, Rashad Weaver, Caleb Murphy
The first three are absolutely locked-in, with Landry and Key set to be the primary outside linebackers, and Weaver the primary backup who may also see time with his hand in the dirt.
Seeing as how Tennessee carried four into 2022, we need one more for this group. While the No. 4 spot is totally up for grabs, my choice is Murphy, the UDFA who tallied an NCAA record 25.5 sacks in 2022 at Ferris State.
Cornerbacks (6)
Cornerbacks: Kristian Fulton, Roger McCreary, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Elijah Molden, Tre Avery, Caleb Farley
The first five spots are locked-in, although it’s hard to say how Tennessee will deploy this group exactly beyond Fulton as the CB1.
Tennessee carrying six seems like a good possibility considering the injury histories of some of these players, but Farley is anything but a lock for that final spot. Keep an eye on UDFA Steven Jones, who signed a pretty hefty deal with Tennessee following the draft.
Safeties (5)
Safeties: Kevin Byard, Amani Hooker, Chris Jackson, Josh Thompson, Tyreque Jones
Barring Byard getting moved after his refusal to take a pay cut this offseason, the top two safety spots are as automatic as it gets. However, it’s a very different story after that.
This is another position on defense where Tennessee is sorely lacking depth, leaving the backup spots completely up for grabs. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Molden get a look at safety if the Titans need.
For now, I have Thompson, Jones and Jackson as the choices, but those picks are mostly a shot in the dark rather than some completely informed decision.
Jackson continues to hang around after being on and off the roster in recent years, Thompson played in six games for Tennessee in 2022, and Jones inked a fairly significant UDFA deal with the Titans after the draft.
Joshua Kalu is still available on the open market and is someone the Titans should be calling. If he lands back in Nashville, I’d immediately put him in front of the other backup options.
Specialists (3)
Specialists: Caleb Shudak (K), Ryan Stonehouse (P), Morgan Cox (LS)
Stonehouse and Cox are locks, but Shudak isn’t. He has the advantage over UDFA Trey Wolff, but his chances to secure the starting job would take a hit if a veteran is brought in.
