NASHVILLE – We are one week away from NFL cut day. That's when the Tennessee Titans will need to get their 90-man training camp roster all the way down to an initial 53 for the start of the regular season.

The hierarchy within the Titans depth chart is starting to become much more clear. With one preseason game left, it's becoming somewhat obvious where every player stands. 

Here is a look at the players I believe are legitimately on the roster bubble, the decision the Titans will have to make, and what each of them need to do to make the 53-man cut.

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QB Malik Willis

Third-year quarterback Malik Willis has not done enough to change the status quo in his opportunities in camp. 

While Willis has looked improved and appears to be responding well to coaching form the Titans' new staff, I think he is still pretty clearly the QB3 for Tennessee as cut day approaches.

The question is not if Willis has done enough to beat out Mason Rudolph. The question is if Willis has done enough to make the Titans keep a third quarterback on the roster. It's likely Willis or. a seventh wide receiver, or fourth tight end, or an extra safety on defense…you get the picture.

WR Mason Kinsey & WR Kearis Jackson

I'm grouping Mason Kinsey and Kearis Jackson together here because they are competing for the same roster spot and have identical paths to landing on the 53. You could probably group Kyle Philips in with these guys as well, but I think Philips is more of a long shot.

Rookie wide receiver Jha'Quan Jackson seems to be running away with the job as the WR6, backup slot option behind Tyler Boyd, and punt returner for the Titans. But it's not impossible to think that Tennessee could end up keeping a seventh guy in the receiving corps.

In order to land on the 53-man roster, Kinsey, Jackson, and Philips will have to beat one another out and provide enough value on offense and special teams to be kept over a third quarterback, fourth tight end, or extra offensive lineman.

TE David Martin-Robinson

David Martin-Robinson is an undrafted free agent out of Temple that is making a late push for the Titans' 53-man roster. "DMR" has been more involved in the offense as camp has progressed and is Tennessee's current leading receiver of the preseason with 68 yards on five grabs.

Martin-Robinson is behind Josh Whyle, Chig Okonkwo, and Nick Vannett on the Titans' depth chart and I don't foresee that changing. In order for him to make the team, the Titans would have to keep four tight ends.

It's not difficult to make happen so long as Tennessee believes DMR would get claimed by another team before he makes it through waivers and to the practice squad. With another week of indisputably strong tape and more consistent efforts as a blocker, Martin-Robinson could be a dark horse to make the roster.

RB Julius Chestnut & RB Hassan Haskins

I very simply do not see the Titans keeping four running backs on the 53-man roster. That means that Hassan Haskins and Julius Chestnut are vying for one spot while the other will be relegated to the practice squad.

This decision comes down to what Tennessee values more: Offensive value or special teams impact? 

If the Titans want the better offensive player, Chestnut is the guy to keep around. He is a more dynamic runner with more burst in his strides. He's a better pass catcher and route-runner than Haskins and can be used in any situation.

Haskins lacks some abilities as a runner, but makes up for it in his mentality and physicality on special teams. Head coach Brian Callahan refers to Haskins as a "special teams demon," both covering and blocking kicks.  Sometimes with reserves, special teams value is more important than anything. We'll see how true that rings based on Tennessee's decision here.

OLB Shane Ray

Outside linebacker Shane Ray was full of early surprises after being signed by the Titans at the start of training camp. The former first-round pick of the Denver Broncos made an immediate impact on the defensive side of the ball and once seemed like a lock to make the team in a position group that lacked depth.

Rookie Jaylen Harrell has rapidly developed and surpassed Ray on the depth chart and Arden Key is no longer facing a suspension from the NFL. That could leave Ray on the outside looking in.

It's going to be a close call between Ray and a younger player like Caleb Murphy for the fifth edge defender roster spot. I think he needs a really big week in New Orleans to make the cut.

LB James Williams

James Williams seemed like a long shot to make the team in a crowded inside linebacker room when training camp first opened. But I've never been higher on the rookie's chances than I am right now – one week out from cut day.

Williams is a converted college safety that plays the linebacker position with tremendous speed and physicality. While he is raw and still has a lot to learn, Dennard Wilson's defense is a good fit for the rookie. He has been impressing in recent weeks and continues to get praise from his coaching staff.

I think Williams will have to beat out one of Cedric Gray or Otis Reese IV to make the initial 53, but as of now, I'd have him making the cut.

CB Gabe Jeudy-Lally

Gabe Jeudy-Lally has struggled mightily in zone coverage while seemingly possessing all the physical tools to excel in man. The good news is that Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson is looking to fill out the back end of his secondary with physical players who can jam at the line of scrimmage.

The undrafted rookie out of Tennessee has had his stock drop significantly from where it was when we first started training camp, but I still think he's on the roster bubble with just one week until cut day. 

Eric Garror, Tre Avery, and GJL are competing for what I expect to be two roster spots. But the big variable here is Tennessee's ability to claim a veteran defensive back on waivers after cuts are made. around the league.

If he continues to show physicality at the line of scrimmage and a willingness to tackle against the Saints, Jeudy-Lally could be in the mix to beat out Avery for a roster spot.

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