The Titans completed a successful preseason with relatively good health and a winning record. Tennessee’s roster is largely settled, but it still has some roster battles to resolve. These battles have come down to the wire for positions such as wide receiver and cornerback. General Manager Mike Borgonzi churned the bottom of the depth chart plenty as well. Which positions saw the most competition, and who will win a spot in this final roster projection for the Titans? What changed from the predictions before the start of training camp and from the offseason?
Tennessee Titans 53-Man Roster Projection: Preseason Finale
Offense
Quarterback (2)
Cam Ward
Brandon Allen
Contender: Trevor Siemian
What changed? The Will Levis injury removed him from contention, and his future in Tennessee is all but sealed. Allen wins the backup job by default after Tim Boyle left the team with no choice but to cut him after the first preseason game. Siemian has experience with the franchise from years past and made a better run at trying to convince them to keep three on the active roster. Allen should be secure in his backup role, but expect the Titans to take a look at the waiver wire if the right name becomes available.
Running Back (4)
Tony Pollard
Tyjae Spears (IR/PUP)
Kalel Mullings
Julius Chestnut
Jordan Mims
Contender: Jermar Jefferson
How the Titans constitute their running back group behind Tony Pollard will be an interesting watch. The Spears’ injury definitely throws a wrench into their roster planning. They could choose to place him on injured reserve or PUP to begin the season and keep four backs. Mullings suffered an ankle injury in the second half against Minnesota, which further muddies the water. Chestnut and Mims both ran well throughout the preseason, making it a tough decision for the coaches. If the Titans don’t place Spears on any injured list, Chestnut could win the spot due to his special teams and more experience with the team. Both runners made the team in the final Titans roster projection as a result of injury.
Wide Receiver (7)
Calvin Ridley
Tyler Lockett
Elic Ayomanor
Chimere Dike
Bryce Oliver
James Proche II
Van Jefferson
Contenders: Jha’Quan Jackson, Mason Kinsey, TJ Sheffield, Xavier Restrepo, and Matt Landers
Welcome to the most competitive position battle on the team. First-round bust Treylon Burks bowed out due to injury and wasn’t a factor in the process. Oliver was a question mark entering camp, but consistently earned praise for his work throughout training camp. Proche makes the roster due to his special teams ability and more consistent performances compared to Jackson. Jefferson, despite an egregious failure to reel in a spectacular Ward pass against Atlanta, earns the spot with veteran wile. The most celebrated UDFA receiver in Titans history fails to make the team due to a lack of athleticism and limited significant reps.
Tight End (3)
Chig Okonkwo
Gunnar Helm
David Martin-Robinson
Contenders: Josh Whyle, Thomas Odokuya, and Drake Dabney
Three tight ends make the final roster projection after Josh Whyle, a former 2023 middle-round selection, failed to deliver during the past month. Helm made a few splash plays, including a remarkable no-look touchdown reception against the Falcons. He looks to supplant incumbent starter Chig Okonkwo as the primary threat at tight end. At the very least, he has made it easier for the coaching staff to utilize more 12-personnel looks.
Offensive Tackle (4)
Dan Moore, Jr
JC Latham
Oli Udoh
Jaelyn Duncan
Contenders: John Ojukwu and Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson
The back end of the offensive tackle group is the most fascinating to watch on the entire team. There are numerous ways this race can go. Tennessee used Ojukwu as a sixth offensive lineman, but Udoh was the first one called when Dan Moore briefly left against the Falcons due to injury. Duncan’s growth as a prospect also plays a role in the decision here. Ultimately, the projection went with Udoh and Duncan to make it over Ojukwu and UDFA Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson. If the roster cutdown cards play out correctly, there could be some movement at tackle.
Guard (4)
Peter Skoronski
Kevin Zeitler
Jackson Slater
Andrew Rupchich
Contenders: Blake Hance and Brenden Jaimes
The guard spot will come down to the question of experience on the team (Rupchich) against experience in Bill Callahan’s system (Hance). Rupchich is a guard-only prospect, while Hance provides more versatility as a swing tackle-guard type. Slater made the final Titans roster projection as a standout rookie who took well to his first NFL action. He’ll be the heir apparent to ageless veteran Kevin Zeitler.
Center (2)
Lloyd Cushenberry
Corey Levin
Contenders: Sam Mustipher
Levin and Cushenberry have been locked in as the two centers for the entirety of camp and then some. No drama to see here, folks. Cushenberry is on his way back from the Achilles injury he suffered last season, so Levin may get a few reps like he has in the preseason. Mustipher moves on to other things in this roster projection.
Defense
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) talks some trash after stopping Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.
IDL (4)
Jeffery Simmons
T’Vondre Sweat
Sebastian Joseph-Day
James Lynch
Contenders: Timmy Horne, Isaiah Raikes, and Cam Horsley
The only real surprise for the interior defensive line is how many they decide to keep on the initial 53-man roster projection. Lynch is the last man standing after an impressive preseason, following the Titans’ decision to bring him back during the latter stages of the offseason. Horne and Horsley were the toughest cuts to make, as they displayed flashes as well. Raikes didn’t play significantly due to injury issues, so he’s not long for the roster. Perhaps Tennessee will bring him back to the practice squad. IDL is a group to watch for when waiver claims come in next week, as Borgonzi and company have continually churned through the waters.
EDGE (5)
Arden Key
Dre’Mont Jones
Femi Oladejo
Jihad Ward
Jaylen Harrell
Contender: Ali Gaye
EDGE is another ho-hum position for the front office and coaches to mete out playing time to. The first three are locked in because of contract and draft status. Ward and Harrell should also be scoping out Nashville rental properties for the foreseeable future. Gaye didn’t do much to leave an impression during the preseason despite garnering significant reps. Depending on how roster cuts go, expect a lot of interest in adding a name or two to the weakest position group on defense. The churn isn’t quite done yet for the EDGE rushers.
Inside Linebacker (4)
Cody Barton
James Williams
Cedric Gray
Brian Asamoah II
Contender: Curtis Jacobs
The inside linebacker position battle is one of hierarchy rather than a roster spot, and it’s too close to call at this juncture. Cody Barton is the one unquestioned starter, while Williams and Gray both had moments of brilliance during their respective starts. Gray earned two out of three starts, showing off flashes of what made him so intriguing as a prospect. He’s a bowling ball of terror with some limitations in pass coverage, while Williams is the superior athlete. It will be interesting to see how DC Dennard Wilson deploys the pair next to Barton. Asamoah makes the roster as a recent waiver claim, but shouldn’t get too comfortable pending cuts elsewhere.
Cornerback (6)
L’Jarius Sneed
Roger McCreary
Jarvis Brownlee, Jr
Darrell Baker, Jr
Gabe Jeudy-Lally
Marcus Harris
Contender: Jermari Harris
Tennessee carries six cornerbacks to compensate for L’Jarius Sneed’s health (he returned to practice late last week) and ongoing legal situation. It’s expected that Sneed will be on track to play Week 1 against Denver, but beyond that, his health is a question mark. JBJ and McCreary are locked in as starters alongside DBJ due to outstanding 2024 seasons. The bottom of the depth chart is where it gets curious with camp standout Marcus Harris battling Jeudy-Lally for a spot on the roster. Of the pair, Harris has been more effective. Three others are vying for a roster spot but have been ineffective. Expect a lot of churn at this position by the Titans’ front office to find some depth on the main roster and practice squad.
Safety (5)
Xavier Woods
Amani Hooker
Quandre Diggs
Kendall Brooks
Kevin Winston, Jr
The safety group is stable at the top of the depth chart, but there is a change towards the bottom. Quandre Diggs, after pumping up his former teammates during the offseason, recently re-signed with the team. Winston, Jr has been visible during camp, but his reps have tapered off as we get closer due to injury maintenance. Brooks makes the roster because of an outstanding camp and the pick-six he had in Atlanta. Mike Brown was the other contender, and he provides valuable depth on special teams, but Brooks makes it over him in this roster projection.
Special Teams
K: Joey Slye
P: Johnny Hekker
LS: Morgan Cox
Nothing new to see here as the battery remains the same for John Fassel’s unit after the preseason. Slye ended his summer in style after drilling a Nissan Stadium record field goal against Minnesota. He also had a double doink field goal that went in. Hekker didn’t impress but was stable enough for the Titans not to consider bringing in serious competition. Cox is the reliable aging warhorse at long snapper.
Offense Total: 26
Defense Total: 24
Special Teams Total: 3
Main Image: Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images