As we inch closer to training camp with each passing day, the Tennessee Titans still have their fair share of position battles that need to be resolved at a handful of different spots.
While there are a few question marks atop the depth chart, the majority of these battles taking place are set to identify which players will ultimately secure a reserve role for themselves.
Several of these competitions include a veteran player or two who are right on the cusp of the roster bubble.
This article is going to discuss one veteran player at each position group on the offensive side of the ball who could find themselves on the outside looking in come roster cut day.
Some positions have obvious choices to make, while others are worthy of having a real debate. Let’s find out which offensive veterans I think are on the roster bubble heading into camp.
QB Malik Willis
Considering Malik Willis is the only non-rookie quarterback on the roster outside of Ryan Tannehill, this is the obvious choice to make.
Barring something dramatic happening, it’s a safe bet that Tannehill and rookie Will Levis will be on the roster in 2023.
Therefore, Willis must show the team enough promise over the coming weeks to warrant keeping three signal-callers on the roster.
The Liberty legend has seemingly shown signs of improvement throughout the offseason, so he’s at least given himself a puncher’s chance at sticking around on the Titans’ final roster.
RB Jonathan Ward
Outside of Derrick Henry, Jonathan Ward is the only true veteran in the running backs room, and his spot on this team is anything but secure.
Ward, who was impressive during the offseason program, faces an uphill battle when it comes to grabbing a roster spot, but his chances will greatly increase if the Titans carry a fourth back, or if Hassan Haskins’ legal issue leads to him being released.
But until we get more details with that whole situation, you’d have to imagine that the No. 3 running back role is Haskins’ job to lose.
WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
Truth be told, the only scenario in which I can see Tennessee moving on from one of its veteran wide receivers is if they land another one in the process.
If Tennessee is able to acquire someone like DeAndre Hopkins, that would then give the team’s younger wideouts a much more realistic chance of dethroning one of the veterans on the roster bubble.
Even though NWI is my choice here, if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the last few years, it’s to stop underestimating NWI’s status within the Titans’ building.
So, if Chris Moore ends up being the veteran on the outside looking in, it really wouldn’t be the most shocking thing in the world. However, Moore has a higher ceiling as a wide receiver, so he gets the slight edge here.
TE Kevin Rader
This is one of the easier ones to pick on the offensive side of the ball. Outside of Chig Okonkwo, the only veteran tight ends on the roster are Trevon Wesco and Kevin Rader.
Tennessee likely signed Wesco with the intention of him being their primary blocking tight end. Therefore, Rader has to either steal that role away from Wesco or do well enough to force Tennessee to keep a fourth tight end.
OL Jordan Roos
This is a complicated one to project since the team has a lot of young offensive linemen fighting for a depth role on the team.
Jamarco Jones probably would’ve been my choice had Nicholas Petit-Frere not been suspended for six games, but as of right now, he could be the favorite to replace him as the starter on the right side.
That leaves Jordan Roos and Corey Levin as the two true veterans of the Titans’ depth option group, and although I think both have a pretty strong chance to stick around, Roos isn’t as safe as Levin, who stands to be a primary backup on the interior.
Roos played a total of 202 offensive snaps in 2022, finishing with an overall grade of 52.7, per Pro Football Focus.
