Tennessee Titans: Biggest surprises from roster cut day

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 6: Taywan Taylor #13 of the Tennessee Titans runs downfield with the ball while defended by Myles Jack #44 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the third quarterat Nissan Stadium on December 6, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 6: Taywan Taylor #13 of the Tennessee Titans runs downfield with the ball while defended by Myles Jack #44 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the third quarterat Nissan Stadium on December 6, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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Tennessee Titans RB, Dalyn Dawkins.
PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 08: Josh Hawkins #48 of the Philadelphia Eagles tackles Dalyn Dawkins #28 of the Tennessee Titans in the third quarter of the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 8, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Titans defeated the Eagles 27-10. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Titans keep four running backs

Most of us assumed that the Titans would only carry three backs. That seemed to be reinforced when the team decided to cut Jeremy McNichols, who had been a training camp standout and the team’s best running back throughout the exhibition slate.

However, we then discovered that the team was going to keep Dalyn Dawkins. The Colorado State product exploded in the fourth preseason game with 117 yards on the ground and two receiving touchdowns, which no doubt helped his case to make the roster.

So, not only did the Titans decide to keep a fourth running back behind Derrick Henry, Dion Lewis and David Fluellen, they kept the back almost nobody expected they would, including yours truly.

Now, that’s not to say Dawkins didn’t deserve it, but McNichols was the team’s best back throughout the preseason, and he shined almost every chance he got. It’s for that reason we thought he was a surefire lock to be No. 4 on the depth chart if the Titans wanted to go that route.

While this was certainly a disappointing turn of events for the former fifth-round pick, McNichols should land on his feet elsewhere.

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