The NFL is a cruel business, and the Tennessee Titans have to make some aggressive decisions if they are going to pull themselves out of the proverbial basement. As the team with the NFL's worst record last year, the Titans will have a month where they own the top priority on the waiver wire with unlimited privileges.
As NFL teams collectively cut nearly 1,200 players to trim their roster down to 53 players by Tuesday's deadline, a few quality players will hit the waiver wire. General manager Mike Borgonzi has hinted at using that privilege to improve the back end of his roster.
Since the Titans have first dibs on all 1,200 players, there is a good chance they will claim multiple players. When Brogonzi was with the Kansas City Chiefs and they had the first pick in the draft, the front office made seven claims the day after "finalizing" their 53-man roster. So the question isn't whether they will make a claim or not, it is how many claims will they make?
7 Titans who can get replaced by waiver claims after the initial 53-man roster submission
Blake Hance, OT/G
Blake Hance felt like a strong candidate to make the roster before training camp because he has the versatility to play inside or outside. However, he has been banged up during the preseason, which has given other offensive linemen like Oli Udoh, Jaelyn Duncan, and Brandon Crenshaw-Dixon a chance to win a backup job. The Titans should look for a blocker with more upside.
David Martin-Robinson, TE
Last preseason, David Martin-Robinson played 124 snaps on offense and 30 on special teams. He played significantly fewer snaps this time around. Perhaps that means the Titans are more confident in him.
There are only two tight ends on the roster who are locks (Chig Okonkwo and Gunnar Helm), and the team doesn't seem high on the others. Martin-Robinson is versatile enough to make the roster, but talented tight ends get cut every year, so don't be surprised if the Titans see an upgrade out there.
Cam Horsley, DT
Cam Horsley feels like the DT5 in this group, but you are splitting hairs between him and the rest of the pack. That lack of separation is a problem, and defensive tackle is another position where you can find a talented player or two on the waiver wire each season.
Jihad Ward and Jaylen Harrell, EDGE
The Titans have one of the worst groups of EDGEs in the NFL. Veteran Jihad Ward has arguably outplayed Femi Oladejo in the preseason, Oladejo is a project that the Titans are committed to, whereas Ward is a finished product.
There won't be many talented EDGEs that hit the waiver wire (if any), but the bar is very low for the Titans, and they may just view this as another attempt to churn the bottom of their roster.
Gabe Jeudy-Lally and Darrell Baker Jr., CB
Gabe Jeudy-Lally is more valuable than Darrell Baker because of his versatility and his consistency during the preseason. However, both are at the bottom of the depth chart, and the Titans can use the waiver wire to find young talent at cornerback that can also contribute on special teams.