In our latest installment of previews for the Tennessee Titans’ 2020 training camp, which will start on July 28, we’re going to be taking a look at the offensive linemen.
For this position group, we’re going to see which players are locks to make the roster, which ones are on the bubble, and then make a final prediction for who ultimately makes the cut.
If you’re interested in checking out our other positional previews, we’ve linked to them at the end of this one.
Roster locks
Taylor Lewan – LT
Rodger Saffold – LG
Ben Jones – C
Nate Davis – RG
Dennis Kelly – Possible starter at RT
Isaiah Wilson – Possible starter at RT
Analysis: The Titans are returning four-fifths or their starting offensive line from last season, with the only exception being at right tackle after Jack Conklin departed in free agency to the Cleveland Browns.
Communication and chemistry was an issue for the Titans’ O-line in 2019, which welcomed two new starters in Davis and Saffold, both of whom struggled in their first season in Nashville. It also didn’t help that Lewan got suspended for the first four games, hindering the unit’s progress.
After all five starters were finally able to play together for the first time in Week 5, it took time to develop the aforementioned communication and chemistry needed to improve, which Saffold recently admitted.
However, as time progressed and the linemen became more familiar with one another, the Titans stabilized in pass protection and became arguably the most dominant run-blocking offensive line in the NFL.
Davis, who was one of the culprits of the team’s O-line struggles early on, was forced to miss time because of an injury suffered in camp, so the deck was stacked against him getting off to a good start. He does have something to build off of, though, as he posted an overall PFF grade of 71.5 from Week 15 on after putting up a dreadful 30.1 through Week 14.
Things should be better out of the gate in 2020 as long as everyone stays healthy and the line gets a full camp together. On top of building upon the strides made in chemistry, a point of emphasis will be improving the unit’s pass protection, which was better at the end of the year but still saw the second-most sacks allowed in the NFL.
In order to fill the void left by Conklin, the Titans will have a competition between the veteran Kelly and the team’s 2020 first-round pick, Wilson.
For now, the edge definitely goes to Kelly because of his experience and the fact that he brings continuity to the offensive line. It also helps Kelly that Wilson didn’t have the benefit of a mini-camp.
If Wilson does indeed lose the competition, we can’t put too much stock into it because of the shortened offseason. If he somehow beats out Kelly despite everything working against him, the Wilson hype train will officially leave the station.
The most important thing for Wilson in camp is catching up on the time he lost. The Titans have to be focused on the big picture with him and let Kelly handle things in the short term.
On the bubble
Aaron Brewer – C (UDFA)
Daniel Munyer – C
Zac Kerin – G/C
Jamil Douglas – G/C
Avery Gennesy – G
David Quessenberry – T
Brandon Kemp – T (UDFA)
Anthony McKinney – T (UDFA)
Ty Sambrailo – T (UDFA)
Analysis: For those of you hoping that we had seen the last of Douglas, Kerin is someone to keep an eye on. Like Douglas, Kerin has the ability to play at both guard and center, which is something that has likely saved Douglas from being cut in the past.
Douglas and Kerin are just two examples of the kind of flexibility the Titans could have with their backup offensive linemen.
Sambrailo, whose athleticism fits the Titans’ zone-blocking scheme well, can be the swing tackle that Kelly was in years past. Gennesy is a much better fit at guard, especially in this offense, but he could fill-in at tackle in a pinch thanks to his experience playing there in college and in the AAF.
As far as the undrafted free agents are concerned, none of them really jump out at you. It’s going to be an uphill climb for any UDFA to crack the roster along the offensive line given the value of the other backup options.
Versatility will be key for any players on the bubble, so those who can contribute at multiple positions have the best chance to make the cut.
Initial 53-man roster prediction
In 2019, the Titans carried nine offensive linemen into the season, although Lewan didn’t factor into the final count because of his suspension.
For this prediction, we’re going to assume the Titans carry nine into the 2020 campaign. Here’s a look at how things will shake out at starting right tackle and at the backup spots.
| Pos. | Starter | Backup |
| LT | Taylor Lewan | Ty Sambrailo |
| LG | Rodger Saffold | |
| C | Ben Jones | Zac Kerin |
| RG | Nate Davis | Avery Gennesy |
| RT | Dennis Kelly | Isaiah Wilson |
Kerin, who we already mentioned has the ability to play guard and center, is going to beat Douglas out for a spot on the roster. The Titans will also hold onto Sambrailo as a backup tackle option, along with Wilson.
While I fully expect Davis to remain the starter and take a step forward in 2020, both Gennesy and Kerin will be insurance policies and give Tennessee a pair of options to push the second-year guard.
