The Titans have a lot of work to do in order to climb out of the bottom of the standings, so who will make the team this summer?
Quarterback (3)
Cam Ward (R), Will Levis, Brandon Allen
No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward doesn’t come into the worst situation behind a solid offensive line with a few pass-catchers added to boost the receiving corps, and it’s also wise for Tennessee to have signed Brandon Allen as a veteran in the quarterback room. The team would probably love to get a mid-round pick for Will Levis, but we doubt anyone would bite, so he stays on the roster.
Running back (4)
Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, Kalel Mullings (R), Julius Chestnut
There might not be a ton of touches available behind Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, but sixth-round rookie Kalel Mullings provides more of a power element to perhaps make it a full-blown committee. Julius Chestnut narrowly makes our roster projection but could have easily been left off if Tennessee keeps another defender.
Wide receiver (6)
Calvin Ridley, Tyler Lockett, Elic Ayomanor (R), Chimere Dike (R), Van Jefferson, Jha’Quan Jackson
Former first-round pick Treylon Burks is a notable name that’s missing, but a split feels very possible based on the options added at wide receiver this offseason. The other main option that is on the bubble but will have a real shot to earn a spot is undrafted rookie Xavier Restrepo—who already has built-in chemistry with Cam Ward from their season together at Miami. For now, we’re giving the edge to Jha’Quan Jackson (who could be the primary returner) rather than having three rookies make the 53-man roster.
Tight end (3)
Chig Okonkwo, Gunnar Helm (R), Josh Whyle
Tennessee should have a nice combination at tight end with Chig Okonkwo being joined by fourth-rounder Gunnar Helm, and six-foot-seven Josh Whyle will be the bigger No. 3 option with Okonkwo and Helm having more on-the-ground skillsets.
Offensive tackle (4)
Dan Moore Jr., JC Latham, Oli Udoh, Jaelyn Duncan
The Titans are switching last year’s No. 7 overall pick JC Latham back to right tackle after it’s where he thrived at Alabama—and while some might scoff at the four-year, $82 million deal paid to Dan Moore Jr., the veteran was steady with glimpses of high-level play in Pittsburgh. Oli Udoh was also signed this offseason, and he’ll compete with Jaelyn Duncan to be the swing tackle.
Interior offensive line (6)
Peter Skoronski, Lloyd Cushenberry III, Kevin Zeitler, Jackson Slater (R), Blake Hance, Brenden Jaimes
Kevin Zeitler is locked in at right guard to join returning starters Peter Skoronski and Lloyd Cushenberry III on the interior—but the Titans will have a tight battle for the backup spots this summer. While fifth-round pick Jackson Slater would seem to be the safest bet to make the team based on the investment, he’ll need to hold off Blake Hance, Brenden Jaimes, Corey Levin, and Sam Mustipher for one or two spots.
Interior defensive line (5)
Jeffery Simmons, T’Vondre Sweat, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Carlos Watkins, Keondre Coburn
Tennessee returns their defensive interior from last season, but veteran signing Carlos Watkins could take the roster spot of James Lynch depending on how things go in August. If T’Vondre Sweat can make a leap in Year 2, the Titans should be very formidable in the middle, and the roster will be tough to crack for an undrafted free agent.
Edge defender (5)
Dre’Mont Jones, Oluwafemi Oladejo (R), Lorenzo Carter, Arden Key, Jaylen Harrell
We should see two new starters on the edge with Dre’Mont Jones signing from the Seahawks and Oluwafemi Oladejo being drafted in Round 2—and they provide different skillsets with Jones as a power edge and the rookie having more explosiveness. Behind them, Lorenzo Carter is a very good run defender, and Arden Key has recorded 6.0+ sacks in both seasons with the Titans. Another option being added is possible, but the final spot goes to Jaylen Harrell over Ali Gaye for now.
Linebacker (4)
Cody Barton, Cedric Gray, Otis Reese IV, James Williams
Cody Barton comes over from Denver and will get one of the starting linebacker spots, and Cedric Gray should be the favorite for the other—while Otis Reese IV is safe for a roster spot, too. That leaves James Williams, Anfernee Orji, Curtis Jacobs, and Amari Burney battling for maybe just one spot; the advantage goes to Williams as a core special teamer as a rookie.
Cornerback (6)
L’Jarius Sneed, Roger McCreary, Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Marcus Harris (R), Amani Oruwariye, Darrell Baker Jr.
Tennessee badly needs a bounce-back season from L’Jarius Sneed with his performance and availability both coming up short after being acquired from the Chiefs last offseason—and the cornerback group can be very good if he returns to form alongside Roger McCreary and Jarvis Brownlee Jr. Depth is a question mark, but Marcus Harris was added in the sixth round as an option behind McCreary in the slot, and Amani Oruwariye had six interceptions in 2021.
Safety (4)
Xavier Woods, Amani Hooker, Kevin Winston Jr. (R), Mike Brown
Kevin Winston Jr. was selected in the third round and should be good to go well in advance of Week 1 after suffering a torn ACL early in his final college season—so the rookie and Mike Brown are set as the backups to veteran Xavier Woods and Amani Hooker.
Special teams (3)
Joey Slye, Johnny Hekker, Morgan Cox
The Titans brought back 39-year-old Morgan Cox for another season as the long snapper, and he’ll have two new teammates he’s setting up with Joey Slye and Johnny Hekker added as the kicker and punter—with no competition at any of the three spots.