The Tennessee Titans netted six new players in the 2020 NFL Draft, and along with those players the team will look to sign undrafted free agents in the coming days to fill out its 90-man roster.
Over the course of the offseason and training camp, head coach Mike Vrabel and general manager Jon Robinson will be tasked with figuring out which players are worthy of making the cut when rosters are trimmed down to 53.
We are still months away from that, but with the new draft picks in the fold, we can at least start looking ahead to what the 53-man roster might look like.
Here’s a way-too-early prediction.
QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | OLB | ILB | CB | SAF | ST
Quarterback (3)
| QB1 | QB2 | QB3 |
| Ryan Tannehill | Logan Woodside | Cole McDonald |
Analysis: The only real question here is who makes the cut as the team’s second quarterback? Right now, I’m going to give the edge to Woodside because he has slightly more experience and trust from the coaching staff. However, there’s no doubt that McDonald brings more to the table, which will force the Titans to keep a third quarterback in the fold. Even though he loses this competition, Tennessee won’t want to risk cutting McDonald and another team scooping him up.
Notable cuts: Logan Woodside
Running back (3)
| RB1 | RB2 | RB3 |
| Derrick Henry | Darrynton Evans | Khari Blasingame (FB) |
Analysis: The Titans will carry three backs, one of which, Blasingame, will serve as the fullback. We did see some plays drawn up for Blasingame last season, but Evans will be the one spelling Henry. Tennessee carrying a fourth back, Dalyn Dawkins, isn’t out of the question, but I’m going to lean towards that not happening because Henry sees so many touches as a workhorse back.
Notable cuts: Dalyn Dawkins
Wide receiver (5)
| WR1 | WR2 | WR3 | WR4 | WR5 |
| A.J. Brown | Corey Davis | Adam Humphries | Kalif Raymond | Cameron Batson |
Analysis: This is another group that could see an additional player kept, especially if the team signs a vertical threat in free agency. Humphries will once again play in the slot, while both Raymond and Batson will fill out the back end of the receiving corps. and serve as returners. Brown is, of course, your No. 1, while Davis serves as the trusty No. 2.
Notable cuts: Rashard Davis
Tight end (3)
| TE1 | TE2 | TE3 |
| Jonnu Smith | Anthony Firkser | MyCole Pruitt |
Analysis: The Titans have carried four tight ends into the start of the season in each of the two years under head coach Mike Vrabel, so it certainly wouldn’t be shocking if they did so again. With this prediction, I think the Titans opt to keep a third quarterback instead.
Notable cuts: Cole Herdman, Parker Hesse
Offensive line (9)
| Pos. | Starter | Backup |
| LT | Taylor Lewan | Ty Sambrailo |
| LG | Rodger Saffold | — |
| C | Ben Jones | Jamil Douglas |
| RG | Nate Davis | Avery Gennesy |
| RT | Dennis Kelly | Isaiah Wilson |
Analysis: The only real question as far as starters go at this point is right tackle. General manager Jon Robinson made it clear that Kelly and Wilson will battle it out for the starting job. For the moment, I have to give the edge to Kelly. Don’t rule out David Quessenberry taking one of the backup spots over who I have listed. Douglas makes the cut because of his ability to play center and guard. Sambrailo serves as the swing tackle if Wilson isn’t ready.
Notable cuts: David Quessenberry, Daniel Munyer
Defensive line (6)
| Pos. | Starter | Backup |
| DE | Jeffery Simmons | Amani Bledsoe |
| NT | DaQuan Jones | Isaiah Mack |
| DT | Jack Crawford | Larrell Murchison |
Analysis: For the time being, we have to give the edge at defensive tackle to the veteran Crawford, whose experience makes him the favorite to play alongside Simmons and Jones. After nearly making the roster last year, Bledsoe finally breaks through, and Murchison and Mack give the Titans some versatility up and down the line. This group could see a shake-up if a big free-agent signing occurs in the near future.
Notable cuts: Matt Dickerson, Joey Ivie
Outside linebackers (6)
| Starter | Backup | Backup |
| Harold Landry | Kamalei Correa | Derick Roberson |
| Vic Beasley | Reggie Gilbert | D’Andre Walker |
Analysis: Like the defensive line, don’t rule out a big free-agent signing to shake this position up. Since we can’t predict the future, these are the outside linebackers the Titans have to go into the season with. We’ll have to see which players can earn snaps behind Landry, Beasley and Correa. Gilbert’s ability to specialize against the run helps keep him relevant. Walker is a total wild card and Roberson has flashed the ability to be an impact pass-rusher.
Inside Linebackers (5)
| Starter | Backup | Backup |
| Jayon Brown | David Long Jr. | – |
| Rashaan Evans | Nick Dzubnar | Nigel Harris |
Analysis: Beyond the two starters, Brown and Evans, and the main backup, Long, Jr., the Titans are pretty thin here, unless the plan is for Dzubnar to be more than just a special teams ace. Tennessee has to add another depth piece to this group if that isn’t the plan. Both Daren Bates and Wesley Woodyard are still available.
Cornerbacks (5)
| Starter | Backup | Backup |
| Adoree’ Jackson | Kristian Fulton (Slot) | Chris Milton |
| Malcolm Butler | Tye Smith | — |
Analysis: This is another group the Titans might look to add more depth to. After Jackson and Butler, Fulton looks to be the man to play in the slot, with Smith and Milton serving as backups. The wild card here is if Amani Hooker, who was an elite slot corner in college, breaks through as the No. 1 option at nickel.
Notable cuts: Kareem Orr
Safeties (5)
| Pos. | Starter | Backup | Backup |
| FS | Kevin Byard | Amani Hooker | Joshua Kalu |
| SS | Kenny Vaccaro | Dane Cruikshank | — |
Analysis: This is the same five the Titans went into the season with last year. The only thing that could shake this group up is if seventh-round pick Chris Jackson shows up big in camp. Jackson brings versatility as a speedy defensive back who can play safety, slot corner, and on special teams. For now, we’ll leave him out, but he’s a player to keep an eye on.
Notable cuts: Chris Jackson
Special Teams (3)
| Kicker | Punter | Long Snapper |
| Greg Joseph | Brett Kern | Beau Brinkley |
Analysis: The GOAT returns for yet another season of being the best punter in the NFL, and Brinkley remains the long snapper. The only thing left to determine is who wins the job at kicker, which right now you’d have to assume will be Joseph, as his only competition is UDFA Tucker McCann. I’d like to see the Titans add a veteran to the competition at some point.
Notable cuts: Tucker McCann
