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3 roster cut candidates Titans need to keep their eye on

Would one of these potential roster cuts improve the Tennessee Titans?

By Justin Melo

Oct 22, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks linebacker Darrell Taylor (52) and safety Jamal Adams (33) celebrate after the defense made a play against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks linebacker Darrell Taylor (52) and safety Jamal Adams (33) celebrate after the defense made a play against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports / Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
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The Tennessee Titans will be tasked with finalizing their initial 53-man roster by Tuesday's mid afternoon deadline. Before then, they'll play their final preseason contests versus the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. It truly represents the final opportunity for fringe roster players to make an impression ahead of cut-down day.

Approximately 1,150 players will be released from their NFL contracts on Monday and Tuesday. While many of those talents will sign to practice squads, roughly 25 of them will be claimed onto other 53-man rosters. The Titans have a few positions of weakness, and should pay extra special attention to these potential roster cuts.

Darrell Taylor, EDGE, Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks EDGE defender Darrell Taylor is being replaced. Since investing a 2020 second-round pick in Taylor, the Seahawks have also used premium top 40 selections on Boye Mafe and Derick Hall. They also paid Uchenna Nwosu $15 million annually.

Taylor has recorded 21.5 sacks over the previous three seasons, but he's also been benched at times for being an inconsistent run defender. Taylor isn't a guaranteed cut, but he's battling for one roster spot with younger players Jamie Sheriff and Nelson Ceaser. The Titans are thin on edge depth behind Harold Landry and Arden Key, though seventh-round rookie Jaylen Harrell has been a revelation.

The former University of Tennessee product would look good in two-tone blue.

Larry Borom, OT, Chicago Bears

Tennessee's tackle depth is concerning behind starters JC Latham and Nicholas Petit-Frere. The likes of Jaelyn Duncan, Leroy Watson, Geron Christian, and John Ojukwu are fighting for likely two reserve tackle spots on the roster. None of these players have put forth particularly good performances during the preseason.

Larry Borom is a swing tackle with legitimate NFL experience. The former Missouri Tiger played more than 400 snaps at left tackle for the Chicago Bears last season, though he didn't fare all that well, which is why he qualifies as a likely cut candidate. The Bears drafted offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie, who is pushing Borom off the roster.

Kaiir Elam, CB, Buffalo Bills

I wouldn't necessarily expect the Buffalo Bills to outright release Kaiir Elam, their 2022 first-round selection, but we do wonder if he'll be available at a discounted trade rate. We originally had Seattle Seahawks cornerback Mike Jackson listed in this spot when this article first went live, but he was swiftly dealt to the Carolina Panthers (because of course he was) on Thursday afternoon.

Elam played less than 100 snaps in coverage for the Bills last season and he appears to be buried on this year's depth chart. Christian Benford and Rasul Douglas are listed as the boundary starters, and Buffalo has Taron Johnson in the slot. The Bills also drafted Daquan Hardy for depth. With trades beginning to ramp up around the league ahead of Tuesday's mid-afternoon deadline, Elam is a bounce-back candidate worth calling on.

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