Predicting the Titans final roster ahead of Training Camp, in one of the strangest NFL offseasons ever.
It has definitely been an unusual offseason not just for the Tennessee Titans, but for all 32 NFL teams.
With Covid-19 derailing most teams’ offseason plans, teams will have to hit the ground running when they arrive at training camp.
In my opinion, this would be the worst year ever to be an undrafted free agent. Think about it: Making the roster as a UDFA is hard enough as it is, but throw in a virtual offseason and a delayed start to camp, and it seems almost impossible. Thankfully, as per the new CBA, teams can now have 55 players on a roster, as opposed to the usual 53.
I expect many teams to play it safe, and maybe some guys don’t make the team who otherwise would in a normal year. The Titans should be no exception. Most starting spots on both sides of the ball seemed to be locked up already, but there will be plenty of depth spots available.
Now I fully anticipate the Titans to make a waiver claim or two on cutdown day, or perhaps even sign a remaining free agent off the street.
However, that’s not the type of move that can be accurately predicted, so for now, I’ll just do a roster projection with players currently on the roster.
Quarterbacks: #1-3
Ryan Tannehill, Logan Woodside, Cole McDonald
With teams being allowed to carry 55 players on the roster instead of the usual 53, I could see one of the extra spots being used on a third quarterback.
McDonald and Woodside are both inexperienced, as neither has played a down in a regular season game to this point. However, the Titans seem to like Woodside, and they seem keen on at least giving him a chance.
McDonald could make the roster as the third quarterback if the team is afraid of losing him on waivers, and basically redshirt in 2020.
Personally, neither backup on the roster thrills me, and I believe with Tannehill’s injury history, a good backup is important.
Thankfully, there are a few decent experienced backups still on the market, should the Titans be interested.
For now, I stick with Woodside and McDonald. Perhaps one of them could show out in the preseason and prove me wrong.
Running Backs: #4-7
Derrick Henry, Darrynton Evans, Dalyn Dawkins, Khari Blasingame
This is a position that could benefit from a waiver-wire addition. Henry is a stud, but other than rookie speedster Darrynton Evans, there isn’t much behind him.
Dawkins has been around for a while now, but hasn’t really shown much. Competing with him for the third RB spot are a couple UDFA’s and journeyman special-teamer Senorise Perry.
Khari Blasingame is basically a FB/TE hybrid, and I believe he makes the team because of his versatility.
Wide Receivers: #8-13
A.J. Brown, Nate Davis, Adam Humphries, Kalif Raymond, Cody Hollister, Mason Kinsey
AJ Brown looks like a number one receiver, and Corey Davis is entering a make-or-break year.
Adam Humphries was okay last year, but he’s being paid too much to just be okay.
Kalif Raymond showed off some deep-threat ability, and should be on the roster again in 2020. Behind Raymond? Not much. This is another position that would benefit from a waiver pickup. For now, I give the edge to Cody Hollister and UDFA Mason Kinsey.
Kinsey is intriguing as a highly-productive slot guy from a small school, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him on the team.
Tight Ends: #14-16
Jonnu Smith, Anthony Firkser, MyCole Pruitt
Jonnu Smith is a solid tight end, but this list looks strange without Delanie Walker.
Firkser is a solid pass-catcher, and Pruitt is an above-average blocker.
This group seems set.
Offensive Linemen: #17-25
Taylor Lewan, Rodger Saffold, Ben Jones, Nate Davis, Dennis Kelly, Isaiah Wilson, Jamil Douglas, Ty Sambrailo, David Quessenberry
The starting five is set, and it’s solid.
First-rounder Wilson should be the starter eventually, but with this abbreviated offseason, Kelly will start initially. Nate Davis should be better than he was at the beginning of last year, and this line has great chemistry together.
Isaiah Wilson will be the sixth lineman, and I have Jamil Douglas, Ty Sambrailo, and David Quessenberry joining him as depth lineman.
With the extra roster spots, I fully anticipate the Titans rolling with 9 linemen this year. Thankfully, there’s no Lewan suspension to deal with the first month of the season, so look for the line to gel from the get-go.
Daniel Munyer, Zac Kerin, and Avery Gennesy are among the other players competing for backup spots, and I wouldn’t rule out an addition via free agency or waivers either. As I said, the 5 starters are solid, the depth behind them, however, is questionable.
Defensive Linemen: #26-32
Jeffery Simmons, Daquan Jones, Jack Crawford, Larrell Murchison, Isaiah Mack, Matt Dickerson, Joey Ivie
Simmons could be the next Aaron Donald. DaQuan Jones is solid, nothing more, nothing less. Jack Crawford comes over from Atlanta, and could be a sneaky good addition. Murchison is a lock to make the roster in his rookie season, and could see a bigger role than most people are expecting. Behind those guys, the depth is poor. Mack has shown promise, but this unit could really benefit from a veteran presence.
Perhaps Timmy Jernigan would be a fit here.
Outside Linebackers: #33-37
Harold Landry, Vic Beasley, D’Andre Walker, Kamalei Correa, Reggie Gilbert
I know, I know, we’re all hoping to see Jadeveon Clowney here. As time passes, that scenario seems more and more unlikely, and that might be just fine.
Landry almost single-handedly carried the pass rush last year, but hopefully new free agent signee Vic Beasley will help carry the load. I’m also excited to see a healthy D’Andre Walker, as injury wiped out his rookie campaign.
Correa returns as a reliable depth option, and the last spot will most likely be between Gilbert and Derick Roberson. I give the nod to Gilbert due to experience. Solid group here.
Inside Linebackers: #38-41
Rashaan Evans, Jayon Brown, David Long, Jr., Nate Dzubnar
Rashaan Evans and Jayon Brown are the best inside ‘backer duo in the league and that’s a hill I’m willing to die on.
Long, Jr. showed special teams prowess and even looked serviceable on defense in his rookie campaign. Dzubnar is a special teams ace, who essentially takes over the role of Daren Bates.
Watch for UDFA Cale Garrett, as I wouldn’t be surprised to see him eke out a roster spot.
Cornerbacks:#42-47
Adoree Jackson, Malcolm Butler, Kristian Fulton, Johnathan Joseph, Tye Smith, Chris Jackson
The first four are locks. It’ll be interesting to see how Butler performs after an injury prematurely ended his 2019 season.
Losing Logan Ryan stings, but a combination of rookie Fulton and ex-Texan Joseph should make up for it.
Tye Smith makes the team once again due to his special teams performance, and Chris Jackson, rookie seventh-rounder out of Marshall, makes the team solely because of his potential.
This is a good group, I’m of the opinion this group will look just as good as it did last season.
Safeties: #48-52
Kevin Byard, Kenny Vaccaro, Dane Cruikshank, Amani Hooker, Joshua Kalu
Byard and Vaccaro are the unquestioned starters once again.
Cruikshank is a stud on special teams, and Hooker could see an expanded role in Nickel packages this year. Meanwhile, Joshua Kalu deserves to make the team again simply because he can do things like this.
Kevin Byard is arguably the most important player on the Titans’ defense, and if the team plans on making it back to the AFC Championship in 2020, Byard will play a big role in that.
Punter: #53
Brett Kern
Brett Kern is the best punter in the league, tell a friend.
Hopefully, Kern is the Titans punter for 10 more years. The dude is an absolute weapon, and I don’t think everybody realizes how important the field position game is in crucial situations. This is the easiest position to predict.
Kicker: #54
Greg Joseph
I believe Joseph has earned the right to be the kicker, at least for 2020.
No matter who the kicker is, it literally can’t be a worse situation than the team ran into in 2019, as Titans’ kickers combined for one of the worst seasons ever in the field goal department.
The Titans also brought in UDFA Tucker McCann, and he has a shot, but I give the edge to Joseph for now. I don’t believe the team can afford to gamble on a UDFA after the kicking debacle of 2019.
I would not be opposed to the team bringing in Stephen Gostkowski, but for now, Joseph seems to be the guy.
Long Snapper: #55
Beau Brinkley
It seems like Brinkley has been a Titan for 20 years.
He has to be one of the most consistent snappers in the game, and it’s nice to see he will be back for a few more years.