With preseason Week 1 in the books, it’s time to take a look at an updated 53-man roster projection for the Tennessee Titans, which is at least partly based on what we saw in the loss to the Chicago Bears.
While some players were able to make the most of their opportunity in the exhibition debut, others did not, either because of average or worse play, or simply because they did not suit up due to injury.
Thankfully for the latter group, there are still two more preseason games to right the ship, with the next one coming on Saturday following a week of joint practice with the Minnesota Vikings..
As usual, right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere is not listed here because of his six-game suspension, and you also won’t find guys like offensive lineman Dillon Radunz, cornerback Caleb Farley and safety Josh Thompson, as all three remain on injured lists.
Now, the latest 53-man projection following preseason Week 1 that has six new additions from the last one.
QB Ryan Tannehill
QB Malik Willis
QB Will Levis
RB Derrick Henry
RB Tyjae Spears
RB Hassan Haskins
RB Julius Chestnut*
Replaced: RB Jonathan Ward
Had Ward not exited early due to injury in preseason Week 1 and played well, I actually might’ve replaced Haskins with Chestnut. Unfortunately for Ward, that did not happen.
Chestnut was easily the second-best back in the preseason opener, finishing with seven carries for 46 yards, including an impressive 26-yard gain.
At the very least, he closed the gap between himself and Haskins with that showing. If Ward misses an extended period of time, Chestnut should have no issue making the roster, assuming the Titans carry a fourth back.
WR DeAndre Hopkins
WR Treylon Burks
WR Kyle Philips
WR Chris Moore
WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
TE Chigoziem Okonkwo
TE Trevon Wesco
TE Josh Whyle
TE Alize Mack
LT Andre Dillard
LG Peter Skoronski
C Aaron Brewer
RG Daniel Brunskill
RT Chris Hubbard
OL Corey Levin
OL Justin Murray*
Replaced: OT John Ojukwu
Ojukwu went from a frontrunner for right tackle at the start camp to out of my latest projection. The rookie has missed three practices in a row and was unable to suit up in preseason Week 1.
Meanwhile, Murray was impressive, tallying the best pass-protection grade (85.9) and third-best run-blocking grade (69.0), per Pro Football Focus, while only allowing a single pressure in 33 snaps.
OL Jordan Roos
OL Jaelyn Duncan
DL Jeffery Simmons
DL Denico Autry
DL Teair Tart
DL Jayden Peevy
DL Jaleel Johnson*
Replaced: DL Naquan Jones
Jones is another player who has missed a significant amount of practice time. Johnson was OK in preseason Week 1 and finished tied for the second-most tackles with four. He gives Tennessee a much-needed veteran presence among the depth guys upfront.
LB Azeez Al-Shaair
LB Jack Gibbens
LB Monty Rice
LB Ben Niemann*
Replaced: WR6
I’ve had the Titans carrying six wide receivers and four linebackers for quite some time now, but that all changes here.
Niemann was excellent in his preseason debut with the Titans, finishing tied for second on the team with four tackles to go along with one fumble recovery, and he notched the highest PFF grade on the team (90.3).
At this point, I think Niemann, who was among the surest tacklers in the NFL in 2022, is more valuable as a depth piece and special teams contributor than any sixth wide receiver will be — and that’s especially true after none of the WR6 candidates did much to stand out on Saturday.
LB Luke Gifford
OLB Harold Landry
OLB Arden Key
OLB Rashad Weaver
OLB Sam Okuayinonu
After listing Sam O. as a defensive lineman all offseason long, the Titans had him at outside linebacker on the first unofficial depth chart. He can play both standing up and with his hand in the dirt.
OLB Caleb Murphy
CB Kristian Fulton
CB Sean Murphy-Bunting
CB Roger McCreary
CB Tre Avery
CB Eric Garror*
Replaced: CB Chris Jackson
As has been the case for much of his career, Jackson was too hurt to play on Saturday. Garror shined with a pair of open-field tackles and two tackles for loss, and he had the eighth-best PFF grade on defense.
S Kevin Byard
S Amani Hooker
S Elijah Molden
Molden was listed as a safety on the team’s first unofficial depth chart, hence why we have him here. He figures to play at corner, also.
S Mike Brown*
Replaced: S Tyreque Jones
Jones’ placement on my last projection was shaky to begin with, but Brown did more than enough in preseason Week 1 to take his spot.
The veteran safety registered the second-highest PFF grade on defense (78.4) while also notching two tackles and forcing a fumble on a punt that set the Titans up for three points.
S A.J. Moore
P Ryan Stonehouse
K Caleb Shudak
LS Morgan Cox
