Tennessee Titans: 53-Man Roster Projection Following One Preseason Game in 2021

The Tennessee Titans' first preseason game of 2021 is in the books, which means it's a good time to take another look at how the team's final 53-man roster figures to shake out. NFL teams will have to trim their rosters from 90 to 85 players on Aug. 17, from 85 to 80 on Aug. […]

Luke Worsham
Add as preferred source on Google

The Tennessee Titans' first preseason game of 2021 is in the books, which means it's a good time to take another look at how the team's final 53-man roster figures to shake out.

NFL teams will have to trim their rosters from 90 to 85 players on Aug. 17, from 85 to 80 on Aug. 24 and from 80 to 53 on Aug. 31.

Quarterback (2)

  • Ryan Tannehill
  • Logan Woodside

Matt Barkley is a better thrower than Woodside, but Woodside seems firmly entrenched as the Titans' preferred backup. He's taken down the likes of Cole McDonald, Trevor Siemian and Deshone Kizer, and Barkley is probably next on that list.

Running Back (4)

  • Derrick Henry
  • Darrynton Evans
  • Jeremy McNichols
  • Khari Blasingame

The Titans signed Brian Hill during free agency, but he doesn't really add much as a runner. McNichols is explosive and reliable as a pass protector, so the Titans would probably rather have him than Hill as their third back.

Wide Receiver (7)

  • Julio Jones
  • A.J. Brown
  • Josh Reynolds
  • Marcus Johnson
  • Chester Rogers
  • Racey McMath (R)
  • Dez Fitzpatrick (R)

If the Titans only keep six receivers, they're going to end up cutting a good player. Even if they kept seven as in this scenario, Mason Kinsey, Cameron Batson and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine would all end up on waivers.

Fitzpatrick is hanging onto his spot by a thread at this point. He's been poor in practice and Mike Vrabel said he needs to do "a lot" more to receive increased chances in preseason games. McMath would almost certainly get scooped up by another team on waivers.

Tight End (4)

  • Anthony Firkser
  • Geoff Swaim
  • Tommy Hudson
  • Luke Stocker

Hudson is clearly the Titans' preferred No. 3 tight end; he's gotten a lot of opportunities in camp with Geoff Swaim not practicing. Stocker figures to make the cut after returning to the Titans early in camp.

Offensive Tackle (4)

  • Taylor Lewan
  • Ty Sambrailo
  • Dillon Radunz (R)
  • Kendall Lamm

Radunz, once thought to be competing for the starting right tackle job, clearly has a ways to go in his development, but he will 100% make the roster. Either Lamm or Sambrailo will start opposite Lewan.

Interior OL (5)

  • Rodger Saffold
  • Ben Jones
  • Nate Davis
  • Aaron Brewer
  • David Quessenberry

The Titans' depth on the interior of the offensive line is very weak aside from Brewer, but they need bodies nonetheless.

Defense —>

Outside Linebacker (5)

  • Harold Landry
  • Bud Dupree
  • Rashad Weaver (R)
  • John Simon
  • Ola Adeniyi

This is the best crew of pass rushers the Titans have assembled in some time.

Weaver dominated in his preseason debut on Friday, Adeniyi provides special teams versatility and Simon is a reliable veteran.

Inside Linebacker (4)

  • Rashaan Evans
  • Jayon Brown
  • David Long, Jr.
  • Monty Rice (R)

This is a solid group of inside linebackers. Keeping five probably isn't necessary, especially since the Titans don't have a fifth player at this position who appears worthy of being on an NFL active roster.

Defensive Line (5)

  • Jeffery Simmons
  • Denico Autry
  • Larrell Murchison
  • Teair Tart
  • Kyle Peko

The fifth and final spot in this group was the hardest to decide on, as this is the Titans' most top-heavy position. The three starters (Tart, Simmons, Autry) are awesome, but the depth isn't great.

Trevon Coley looked to be the leader of the pack for the final spot before going down with a potentially season-ending injury, so Peko gets it, here.

Cornerback (6)

  • Caleb Farley (R)
  • Kristian Fulton
  • Janoris Jenkins
  • Elijah Molden (R)
  • Chris Jackson
  • Breon Borders

It's hard to imagine any NFL team has a deeper group of cornerbacks than the Titans. All of these six players could wind up being key contributors for the Titans.

Safety (4)

  • Kevin Byard
  • Amani Hooker
  • Dane Cruikshank
  • Matthias Farley

Rookie Brady Breeze hasn't done much in Training Camp, and Farley is probably a better player at this point. The team could end up stashing Breeze, who had to be carted off during the Titans' preseason opener, on injured reserve.

Specialist (3)

  • Stephen Gostkowski
  • Brett Kern
  • Morgan Cox

No, Gostkowski is not on the roster. Yes, he's better than the kickers who are.

Cover image: George Walker IV/The Tennessean via pool

Related Articles