The day for Tennessee Titans veterans to report to training camp is here, as the last of the team’s players will show up to the facility three days after rookies previously reported on July 22.
While we’ll see all the familiar Titans faces in attendance, we’ll also see a new one in wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who officially signed his contract on Monday afternoon.
And the Titans will open training camp on Tuesday with a major focus on their new player, as Hopkins will be introduced in a press conference that will also see head coach Mike Vrabel speak.
It isn’t clear if general manager Ran Carthon will be involved, also, but he should take a well-deserved victory lap.
New #Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins will speak to the media for the first time tomorrow afternoon. Mike Vrabel will be available also.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) July 24, 2023
With the first actual practice of training camp set to take place Wednesday, we’re taking one last crack at a 53-man projection before things start to take shape, with explanations included for certain decisions that may need them.
Here’s what we came up with:
1
QB Ryan Tannehill
2
QB Malik Willis
Willis must continue outperforming Levis during training camp and the preseason, and I think he gets it done to the point the Titans decide to keep a third quarterback, with Willis serving as the No. 2.
3
QB Will Levis
4
RB Derrick Henry
5
RB Tyjae Spears
6
RB Hassan Haskins
7
RB Jonathan Ward
I’m admittedly very shaky on the Titans carrying a fourth back, but Ward was among the bigger standouts during the offseason program and would be a solid contributor on special teams.
But carrying a fourth back isn’t the only avenue for Ward to make this team, as Hassan Haskins’ status remains up in the air thanks to his being in some legal trouble that could get him cut. Ward would be my favorite to take Haskins’ roster spot if he’s let go, and Julius Chestnut would also be a possibility.
8
WR DeAndre Hopkins
9
WR Treylon Burks
10
WR Kyle Philips
11
WR Chris Moore
12
WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
13
WR Racey McMath
I think the Titans will carry six wide receivers at most, and for now I’m giving the edge to McMath over Colton Dowell thanks to experience.
However, it wouldn’t shock me at all if Dowell won this final spot over McMath, who has dealt with injury issues over his first two seasons.
14
TE Chigoziem Okonkwo
15
TE Trevon Wesco
16
TE Josh Whyle
17
TE Kevin Rader
18
LT Andre Dillard
19
LG Peter Skoronski
20
C Aaron Brewer
21
RG Daniel Brunskill
22
RT Jamarco Jones
23
OL Corey Levin
24
OL Jaelyn Duncan
25
OL Jordan Roos
26
OL Andrew Rupcich
27
Where's NPF, Radunz? And nine O-linemen?
NPF and Radunz
With his being suspended for the first six games of the 2023 season, NPF won’t count towards the 53-man roster. As for Radunz, I believe he’ll start the season on the PUP list, where he currently resides as training camp opens.
Why 9 O-lineman
I’d be less inclined to think the Titans carry nine offensive linemen if they can ink a veteran like George Fant. If they do, I’d probably add Colton Dowell instead of Rupcich.
However, until Fant or another veteran lineman is signed, the Titans have very questionable depth at tackle, thus Rupcich gets the nod.
Now, on to the defensive side of the projection.
28
DL Jeffery Simmons
29
DL Denico Autry
30
DL Teair Tart
31
DL Sam Okuayinonu
32
DL Naquan Jones
33
DL Jaleel Johnson
34
LB Azeez Al-Shaair
35
LB Monty Rice
36
LB Ben Niemann
37
LB Luke Gifford
38
OLB Harold Landry
39
OLB Arden Key
40
OLB Rashad Weaver
41
OLB Caleb Murphy
42
CB Kristian Fulton
43
CB Sean Murphy-Bunting
44
CB Elijah Molden
45
CB Roger McCreary
46
CB Tre Avery
47
CB Chris Jackson
48
CB Caleb Farley
Farley is currently on the PUP list, but I think he gets cleared at some point during training camp. The last we heard of Farley in June, he was lifting, so one would assume he isn’t too far off in his recovery from back surgery.
Should Farley be forced to start the 2023 season on the PUP list, I would pencil in linebacker Jack “Dr. Gibby” Gibbens for a roster spot, or an additional safety.
49
S Kevin Byard
50
S Amani Hooker
51
S A.J. Moore
52
Only three safeties?
Technically, yes, but bear in mind the Titans have been giving Elijah Molden looks at the position this offseason, so he could serve as the No. 3 or No. 4. In addition, Chris Jackson could probably play some safety if need be.
53
P Ryan Stonehouse
54
K Caleb Shudak
The competition between Shudak and 2023 UDFA Trey Wolff could go either way after both were pretty much neck-and-neck during the offseason program.
For now, Shudak gets the nod, but we shouldn’t rule out the Titans adding a veteran kicker at some point, which would likely spell the end of both Shudak and Wolff.
55
LS Morgan Cox
