With preseason Week 2 in the rearview mirror, it’s time for our latest Tennessee Titans 53-man roster projection, which is at least partly based on what we saw last week.
This will be the second-to-last projection I’ll make ahead of final cuts that will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 29. The next projection will drop after Tennessee’s preseason Week 3 game against the New England Patriots.
With the Titans waiving safety A.J. Moore on Sunday, that opened up one spot for a new addition, but in total I’ve added five new players from the previous projection, with three on defense and two on offense.
As usual, you won’t find guys like right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere, who is set to be suspended for six games, or cornerback Caleb Farley and offensive lineman Dillon Radunz, both of whom remain on the PUP list.
The players who are new additions from the last projection are marked with asterisks and I’ve provided a write-up for each explaining why they’ve been included this time around.
Let’s get to it.
QB Ryan Tannehill
QB Malik Willis
QB Will Levis
RB Derrick Henry
RB Tyjae Spears
RB Julius Chestnut
WR DeAndre Hopkins
WR Treylon Burks
WR Kyle Philips
WR Chris Moore
WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
WR Racey McMath*
Replaced: RB4
I had McMath two projections ago and then removed him in favor of adding another linebacker, but that was before the injuries to Treylon Burks and Philips.
With both of those players’ statuses up in the air for Week 1 of the regular season, I think it’s more likely than ever the Titans carry six receivers.
While McMath is the current pick here, it’s mostly because of his special teams ability rather than his standing out. If we were going on performance alone, Mason Kinsey would be my choice, but his limitations as a slot-only receiver likely means he’ll need Kyle Philips, who exited with an injury in preseason Week 2, to miss significant time to grab a spot.
Reggie Roberson, Tre’Shaun Harrison and Kearis Jackson are all more likely to take this spot than Kinsey. Jackson did suffer an injury in preseason Week 2, though, so that could take him out of the running.
TE Chigoziem Okonkwo
TE Trevon Wesco
TE Josh Whyle
TE Thomas Odukoya*
Replaced: TE Alize Mack
Odukoya makes his first appearance on a 53-man roster projection, replacing fellow tight end, Alize Mack, who hasn’t shown much in preseason play. Meanwhile, Odukoya has been a mauler as a blocker, which makes him a better fit as a fourth tight end.
LT Andre Dillard
LG Peter Skoronski
C Aaron Brewer
RG Daniel Brunskill
RT Chris Hubbard
G/C Corey Levin
G/T Justin Murray
G Jordan Roos
OT Jaelyn Duncan
DL Jeffery Simmons
DL Denico Autry
DL Teair Tart
DL Jayden Peevy
DL Michael Dwumfour*
Replaced: DL Jaleel Johnson
Dwumfour signed this past week and immediately shined, with the veteran lineman tallying one tackle for loss and a team-high three pressures while also posting the highest PFF grade on the team (91.0) in preseason Week 2.
LB Azeez Al-Shaair
LB Jack Gibbens
LB Monty Rice
Rice didn’t practice all week last week and didn’t suit up in preseason Week 2. Further, the Titans had Jack Gibbens and Chance Campbell play ahead of him in preseason Week 1.
It still isn’t clear what he’s dealing with but Rice’s status feels like it’s getting shakier and shakier as the weeks progress. For now, he remains.
LB Chance Campbell*
Replaced: LB Ben Niemann
Campbell has steadily gained momentum as the offseason has progressed and played ahead of Rice in preseason Week 1. As of right now, he appears to have a good shot to make the cut.
Niemann has actually played fairly well, making this a tough decision. But the fact that Campbell started over him in preseason Week 2 tells me the 2022 sixth-round pick is ahead of Niemann.
I will say it wouldn’t be totally shocking to see Niemann make the cut over either Rice or Luke Gifford, neither of whom have shown much this offseason.
LB Luke Gifford
OLB Harold Landry
OLB Arden Key
OLB Rashad Weaver
OLB Sam Okuayinonu
OLB Caleb Murphy
CB Kristian Fulton
CB Sean Murphy-Bunting
CB Roger McCreary
CB Tre Avery
CB Eric Garror
CB Armani Marsh*
Replaced: S A.J. Moore
Moore getting waived on Sunday opens up another spot in the secondary, and I’m giving it to Marsh for now. The UDFA has received praise from safety Kevin Byard and head coach Mike Vrabel during the offseason, with the latter giving him props for his special teams work on Saturday night.
This spot remains very much up for grabs, and keep an eye on fellow UDFA corner Anthony Kendall, who also received a shoutout from Vrabel on Sunday. Also, cornerback Caleb Farley is lurking and would likely take this spot if he can return from the PUP list before final cuts.
S Kevin Byard
S Amani Hooker
S Elijah Molden
S Mike Brown
P Ryan Stonehouse
K Caleb Shudak
LS Morgan Cox
