Final Tennessee Titans 53-man roster projection following preseason finale

The Tennessee Titans concluded their preseason with a 30-27 victory over the New Orleans Saints. Head coach Brian Callahan wraps up his first preseason campaign a perfect 3-0. Hopefully it's a sign of things to come throughout the impending regular-season campaign.

Callahan and general manager Ran Carthon will now begin the process of finalizing their initial 53-man roster. The league-wide deadline is scheduled for mid-afternoon Tuesday. With that in mind, we deliver our final 53-man roster projection.

Quarterbacks (3)

- Will Levis
- Mason Rudolph
- Malik Willis

Malik Willis flashed improvement throughout camp and the preseason, doing enough to convince Callahan to carry three quarterbacks. He put forth another strong showing versus the Saints, including a gorgeous 34-yard TD pass. Willis followed that up with a game-winning score with under two minutes to play.

Running Backs (4)

- Tony Pollard
- Tyjae Spears
- Hassan Haskins
- Julius Chestnut

The deeper roster analysis we conducted, the more we realized there's room for Tennessee to retain four running backs. Julius Chestnut has outperformed Hassan Haskins as a runner, but Haskins is an outstanding special teams player. The Titans don't have to choose.

Wide Receivers (6)

- DeAndre Hopkins
- Calvin Ridley
- Tyler Boyd
- Treylon Burks
-Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
- Jha'Quan Jackson

We nearly kept seven receivers because the Titans have terrific back-end depth. It wouldn't shock me if Kearis Jackson makes the team as the kickoff returner, but Jha'Quan Jackson and Tyjae Spears give them options on special teams. Kyle Philips, Mason Kinsey, and Bryce Oliver also received strong consideration.

Tight Ends (4)

- Chig Okonkwo
- Josh Whyle
- Nick Vannett
- David Martin-Robinson

Tight ends rarely play big roles in Callahan's 11 personnel-preferred offense, but has undrafted preseason darling David Martin-Robinson done enough to convince the Titans to keep four tight ends? We're leaning yes. Thomas Odukoya possesses another season of International Pathway eligibility, giving Nick Vannett the upper hand as the designated blocker.

Offensive Linemen (9)

- JC Latham
- Peter Skoronski
- Lloyd Cushenberry
- Dillon Radunz
- Nicholas Petit-Frere
- Daniel Brunskill
- Andrew Rupcich
- Geron Christian
- Jaelyn Duncan

Going lighter on the offensive line (nine as opposed to 10) allowed us to keep four running backs and tight ends. The starters are essentially set in stone with Dillon Radunz at right guard and Nicholas Petit-Frere at right tackle. Daniel Brunskill's versatility to play all three interior positions helps with the lighter number. The Titans could desperately use better offensive tackle depth, as a coin-flip (not really) helped me decide on Jaelyn Duncan and Geron Christian slightly ahead of John Ojukwu and Leroy Watson.

Total players on offense: 26

Defensive Line (5)

- Jeffery Simmons
- T'Vondre Sweat
- Sebastian Joseph-Day
- Keondre Coburn
- Isaiah Iton

Keondre Coburn has earned the fourth spot with flashes of dominance at training camp and the preseason. I would have had a healthy TK McLendon ahead of Isaiah Iton, but McLendon is dealing with a multi-week turf toe injury that could initially land him on IR. Quinton Bohanna is also pushing for a spot up front.

EDGE (4)

- Harold Landry
- Arden Key
- Jaylen Harrell
- Rashad Weaver

Seventh-round rookie Jaylen Harrell has been a revelation, lessening the need for veteran depth behind Harold Landry and Arden Key. The Titans should go light here because they don't have a fifth roster-worthy pass rusher. They shouldn't sacrifice a player like David Martin-Robinson or Julius Chestnut to keep a Thomas Rush or Caleb Murphy, though I do wonder if Murphy could push out Weaver.

Inside Linebacker (5*)

- Kenneth Murray
- Jack Gibbens
- Chance Campbell*
- Otis Reese
- James Williams
- Cedric Gray*

Again, the Titans shouldn't release a better player at off-ball linebacker to make up numbers at positions with worse depth like cornerback or offensive line. Chance Campbell and Otis Reese have been their two best linebackers during the preseason and have earned roster spots, though we're awaiting an update on Campbell's health status after he presumably suffered a knee injury versus the Saints.

Seventh-round rookie James Williams has flashed high-level potential that's worth developing. Fourth-round rookie Cedric Gray has either been anonymous or nursing an injury, but they aren't cutting ties with him so quickly.

We're projecting that Gray (or Campbell, if his injury proves to be serious) will be shifted to IR.

Cornerback (5)

- L'Jarius Sneed
- Chido Awuzie
- Roger McCreary
- Jarvis Brownlee Jr.
- Anthony Kendall

The Titans are top-heavy at cornerback and lack the depth necessary to justify six cornerbacks. Gabe Jeudy-Lally, Tre Avery, Eric Garror, and Caleb Farley are firmly in the mix here. Anthony Kendall, who's an outstanding special teams player, claims this spot instead.

Safeties (5)

- Amani Hooker
- Quandre Diggs
- Elijah Molden
- Jamal Adams
- Matthew Jackson

Matthew Jackson deserves to make the roster based on his practice performances, and his usefulness on special teams last season. Will the Titans keep five safeties after bringing in Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs? That's the major question at this position. Mike Brown offers competition for Jackson if five are retained.

Total kept on defense: 24

Special Teams (3)

- Nick Folk
- Ryan Stonehouse
- Morgan Cox

Callahan has confirmed Nick Folk's job isn't in danger despite Brayden Narveson drilling a 59-yarder and 46-yard game winner in the Week 2 preseason victory. Ryan Stonehouse is healthy after punting versus the Saints, so Ty Zentner is no longer needed. Morgan Cox will forever be the long snapper.