With the Tennessee Titans set to embark on their third week of training camp on Monday, it’s time for an updated 53-man roster projection that reflects what we’ve seen over the first two weeks.
In addition to this being the the third week of camp, the Titans will also take part in their first preseason contest on Saturday afternoon when they take on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, with kickoff set for noon CT.
In my latest projection, there are six newcomers, with four on offense and a pair on defense. Each newcomer is marked with an asterisk, per usual, and I’ve provided a write-up explaining the reasoning behind their additions.
On top of that, I’ve also provided some players to watch at other positions, including at linebacker and kicker.
And, as always, you won’t find guys like Nicholas Petit-Frere and Dillon Radunz, as the former is suspended for six games and the latter figures to start the season on the PUP list.
In addition to those two, Caleb Farley is excluded for the first time since I’m starting to lean toward him beginning the season on the PUP list given he’s still on there after two weeks.
Now, the projection.
1
QB Ryan Tannehill
2
QB Malik Willis
3
QB Will Levis
4
RB Derrick Henry
5
RB Tyjae Spears
6
RB Hassan Haskins
7
RB Jonathan Ward*
Replaced: RB Julius Chestnut
Ward was originally on my 53-man projection at the outset of camp, but after seeing Chestnut’s name pop up more than his early on, I inserted the 2022 UDFA into my last projection.
However, Ward received some praise from ESPN’s Turron Davenport last week, and given his superior experience on special teams, he’s back.
#Titans RB Jonathan Ward has quietly had a solid camp. He's stood out every time during 1 on 1s.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 4, 2023
8
WR DeAndre Hopkins
9
WR Treylon Burks
10
WR Kyle Philips
11
WR Chris Moore
12
WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
13
WR Reggie Roberson*
Replaced: WR Tre’Shaun Harrison
Tre’Shaun Harrison stood out the most among the bubble wide receivers over the first week of camp, but then Roberson happened.
The 2022 UDFA made several plays last week, including scoring at least a handful of touchdowns. Roberson would give the Titans a potential deep threat, as well as an option for returns.
14
TE Chigoziem Okonkwo
15
TE Trevon Wesco
16
TE Josh Whyle
17
TE Alize Mack*
Replaced: TE Kevin Rader
Mack first caught my eye in an unusual way: he was seen catching balls from the JUGS machine while laying flat on his back after practice one day.
He followed that up with a strong week of practice and has been regularly mentioned among those making plays. Here’s what Jim Wyatt of Titans Online wrote about him following Thursday’s session:
Giving Alize Mack a little more attention here, because he deserves it. Mack went up high to make the catch downfield, with defenders on his hip, and he held on to the ball as he landed hard on the turf.
Mack’s blocking may be the difference between his making the roster as the No. 4 tight end or not. He also left practice early on Friday, so that’s something to monitor moving forward.
But for now, he’s in.
18
LT Andre Dillard
19
LG Peter Skoronski
20
C Aaron Brewer
21
RG Daniel Brunskill
22
RT Chris Hubbard*
Replaced: RT Jamarco Jones
When Hubbard was originally signed, the Titans had Jones as the frontrunner for the right tackle job, but Jones has since been released after getting kicked out of practice twice last week.
Now, Hubbard becomes the favorite, but that’s really only based on his advantage in experience over others who are in the mix, like John Ojukwu and Jaelyn Duncan. Recently signed tackle Justin Murray is also someone to keep an eye for a roster spot moving forward.
23
OL Corey Levin
24
OL John Ojukwu
25
OL Jaelyn Duncan
26
OL Jordan Roos
27
DL Jeffery Simmons
28
DL Denico Autry
29
DL Teair Tart
30
DL Jayden Peevy*
Replaced: DL Jaleel Johnson
Peevy has been making plays here and there during camp, but his placement on here has a lot to do with the significant praise he received from defensive coordinator Shane Bowen and defensive line coach Terrell Williams last week.
Williams said the 2022 UDFA has shown “huge improvement” and even hinted Peevy might be vying for more than just a roster spot. Bowen noted Peevy’s development has been “tremendous” and credited him for dropping weight.
31
DL Sam Okuayinonu
32
DL Naquan Jones
33
LB Azeez Al-Shaair
34
LB Jack Gibbens
Gibbens has been in my projection since last week, but he’s been getting a lot of reps with the ones in training camp, which means he’s got a good shot to win the starting job over Monty Rice, something that would qualify as at least somewhat of a surprise.
35
LB Monty Rice
36
LB Luke Gifford
Player to watch: Otis Reese
Keep an eye on this spot moving forward after head coach Mike Vrabel heaped praise on 2023 UDFA Otis Reese.
“I cannot wait to watch O-T-I-S in that preseason game and playing fast,” Vrabel said. “When he triggers — he triggered yesterday in the bubble and came through — there’s a level of play speed that when he is sure of where he’s going, is pretty cool.
“Excited for him to be able to go out there and play fast and see where he can find a role on special teams and watch him cover some kicks and watch him play on the punt return, and all those good things.”
Along with Reese, veteran Ben Niemann remains a player to keep an eye on for a spot. I still think Gifford takes it as long as he’s healthy, though, but I wouldn’t rule out a fifth linebacker if either Reese or Niemann stand out.
37
OLB Harold Landry
38
OLB Arden Key
39
OLB Rashad Weaver
40
OLB Caleb Murphy
41
CB Kristian Fulton
42
CB Sean Murphy-Bunting
43
CB Elijah Molden
44
CB Roger McCreary
45
CB Tre Avery
46
CB Chris Jackson
47
S Kevin Byard
48
S Amani Hooker
49
S A.J. Moore
50
S Tyreque Jones*
Replaced: CB Caleb Farley
With the oft-injured Farley still on the PUP list after two weeks of camp, I’m starting to lean toward him beginning the season there. As a result, he gets removed from my projection for the first time.
That paves the way for Jones, who has made some plays in camp. I still think the Titans could carry three safeties if Farley is healthy considering Molden being a candidate to play some safety, but I don’t see Tennessee carrying fewer than 10 defensive backs in total.
51
P Ryan Stonehouse
52
K Caleb Shudak
53
LS Morgan Cox
