The Tennessee Titans are set to embark on the next part of their offseason program on Tuesday when the team begins mandatory minicamp. After that, Tennessee will have four more sessions of OTAs (June 12-15).
Once the offseason program is in the books, the Titans will get a month-plus break from the action before training camp in late July, when positional competitions will really kick off in earnest once the pads come on.
While there are many spots up for grabs on a Titans roster that is lacking talent and depth in key spots, there are a slew of players who are already locked in to the 53-man roster as far as I’m concerned.
Here’s a look at which Titans players will enter training camp as roster locks, and which players will be on the bubble and in danger of not making the team.
Note: Players whose names are in bold are 2023 undrafted free agents signings.
Quarterbacks
Locks: Ryan Tannehill, Will Levis
On the bubble: Malik Willis
The Titans drafting Levis told us everything we needed to know about how the team feels about Willis.
There’s definitely a chance the Titans keep three quarterbacks in order to potentially shield Levis from getting on the field before he’s ready, and to protect against injury, but if there’s an odd man out here, it’ll be Willis.
Running backs
Locks: Derrick Henry, Hassan Haskins, Tyjae Spears
On the bubble: Julius Chestnut, Jonathan Ward, Chuck McClelland
If the Titans keep a fourth running back, Chestnut figures to be the favorite, followed by Ward. It’ll be a very uphill climb for McClelland, whose best bet is to stick on the practice squad. Haskins and Spears will fight for the scraps behind Henry.
Wide receivers
Locks: Treylon Burks, Kyle Philips, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Chris Moore
On the bubble: Reggie Roberson, Racey McMath, Mason Kinsey, Colton Dowell, Kearis Jackson, Gavin Holmes, Tre’Shaun Harrison, Jacob Copeland
In a normal year I wouldn’t call Moore a lock, but this isn’t a normal year with how bad Tennessee’s receiving corps. is. If Tennessee were to add a veteran wideout, I’d push Moore into the bubble category.
Tight ends
Locks: Chig Okonkwo, Trevon Wesco, Josh Whyle
On the bubble: Justin Rigg, Kevin Rader, Thomas Odukoya, Alize Mack
Wesco is the debatable one from this group of locks, but I think he’s such a perfect fit for what Tennessee needs from a backup tight end that he’ll definitely make the cut. Besides, there isn’t much else behind him.
Offensive linemen
Locks: Andre Dillard, Peter Skoronski, Aaron Brewer, Daniel Brunskill, Nicholas Petit-Frere, Corey Levin, Jamarco Jones
On the bubble: Jaelyn Duncan, Dillon Radunz, Andrew Rupcich, Jordan Roos, John Leglue, Xavier Newman, Zack Johnson, John Ojukwu, James Empey
I think Duncan has a better chance than not to make the cut, but being a sixth-round rookie doesn’t guarantee anything. We can debate Jones and Levin as locks, but I think those two are secure as much-needed veteran backups who offer multi-position versatility.
Defensive linemen
Locks: Jeffery Simmons, Teair Tart, Denico Autry
On the bubble: Naquan Jones, Sam Okuayinonu, Jayden Peevy, Curtis Brooks, Jaleel Johnson, Tyler Shelvin, TK McLendon Jr.
Jones has the best shot of this group to make the roster, but he’s far from a certainty after seemingly falling out of favor last season. Okuayinonu and Peevy are also players to watch.
Linebackers
Locks: Azeez Al-Shaair, Monty Rice, Luke Gifford
On the bubble: Ben Niemann, Chance Campbell, Jack Gibbens, Otis Reese IV
Al-Shaair and Rice are the starters to begin the season, and Gifford will be the primary backup and a huge special teams contributor who also mixes in on defense. He’s the biggest threat to Rice’s starting spot.
Of the bubble guys, Ben Niemann and Jack Gibbens are the favorites to make it, but don’t sleep on Chance Campbell, who is a major wild card after missing his rookie season due to injury.
Outside linebackers
Locks: Harold Landry, Arden Key, Rashad Weaver
On the bubble: Zach McCloud, Caleb Murphy, Thomas Rush
The only player who intrigues me from the non-locks is Caleb Murphy, who notched an NCAA record 25.5 sacks for Ferris State last season. I’d like to see a veteran addition here for depth if Murphy doesn’t pan out, though.
Cornerbacks
Locks: Kristian Fulton, Roger McCreary, Elijah Molden, Sean Murphy-Bunting
On the bubble: Tre Avery, Caleb Farley, Chris Jackson, Eric Garror, Steven Jones Jr., Anthony Kendall
Avery is as close to a lock as you can get after impressing as a reserve last season in what was an injury-riddled campaign for Tennesse. He’ll really have to screw up to not get a spot.
Farley is in a different boat. The Titans won’t be compelled to keep him by any stretch if he doesn’t show something in training camp. He’s also aided by the fact that there really isn’t much behind him.
Safeties
Locks: Kevin Byard, Amani Hooker
On the bubble: Shyheim Carter, Josh Thompson, Mike Brown, Tyreque Jones, Matthew Jackson, Armani Marsh, L.J. Davis
The Titans desperately need another depth option here, which is why I’ve been advocating for the team to re-sign Joshua Kalu. Otherwise, this group beyond Byard and Hooker leaves a lot to be desired.
Specialists
Locks: P Ryan Stonehouse, LS Morgan Cox
On the bubble: K Caleb Shudak, K Trey Wolff
One of the bigger competitions to watch this offseason will be at kicker, where the Titans sport a 2022 UDFA and a 2023 UDFA battling it out.
The lack of experience between the two is definitely troubling, but it appears the Titans will give the two youngsters a look regardless. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see a veteran addition here in the weeks ahead, which would likely signify the end of this experiment.
