Tennessee Titans: 53-Man Roster Projection Following the Preseason in 2021
The Tennessee Titans' 2021 preseason is in the books, which means it's a good time to take one final look at how the team's final 53-man roster figures to shake out. NFL teams will have to trim their rosters from 80 to 53 players on Tuesday. NOTE: The Titans have a handful of players on […]
The Tennessee Titans' 2021 preseason is in the books, which means it's a good time to take one final look at how the team's final 53-man roster figures to shake out.
NFL teams will have to trim their rosters from 80 to 53 players on Tuesday.
NOTE: The Titans have a handful of players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list that could delay the shaping of their final 53-man roster. This is how the group figures to look once the team's coronavirus dust settles.
Notable Cuts
- OLB Derick Roberson
- WR Racey McMath
- WR Mason Kinsey
- WR Cameron Batson
- QB Matt Barkley
- RB Mekhi Sargent
- LB Nick Dzubnar
- S Brady Breeze
- S Dane Cruikshank
Quarterback (2)
- Ryan Tannehill
- Logan Woodside
Woodside is more reliable than Matt Barkley, who threw an erratic interception in the Titans' preseason finale on Saturday. Woodside has clearly improved over the last year, and the Titans trust him.
Running Back (4)
- Derrick Henry
- Darrynton Evans
- Jeremy McNichols
- Khari Blasingame
Mekhi Sargent made a good case for himself during the preseason, but he's likely destined for the practice squad. McNichols' prowess as a pass protector gives him the edge.
Wide Receiver (7)
- Julio Jones
- A.J. Brown
- Josh Reynolds
- Marcus Johnson
- Chester Rogers
- Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
- Dez Fitzpatrick (R)
Man, this was tough.
Fitzpatrick has shown enough over the last couple of weeks to get a chance to stick around. Racey McMath disappeared after the first few days of camp, and he'll likely be subject to waivers.
Cameron Batson made a good case for himself in the Titans' preseason finale, but Westbrook-Ikhine has the edge over him because of special teams.
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 (5)
- Taylor Lewan
- Ty Sambrailo
- Dillon Radunz (R)
- Kendall Lamm
- David Quessenberry
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 (4)
- Rodger Saffold
- Ben Jones
- Nate Davis
- Aaron Brewer
Brewer is a solid IOL depth piece. Sambrailo, Lamm and Radunz can also play guard.
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 had a strong preseason, Simon is a trustworthy veteran and Adeniyi was a star during the preseason, flashing an explosive first step.
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, even though the team probably wouldn't mind keeping Nick Dzubnar around.
Defensive Line (5)
- Jeffery Simmons
- Denico Autry
- Larrell Murchison
- Teair Tart
- Anthony Rush
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.
Rush is probably the leader of the pack right now, but it's mostly by default. This is a spot where the Titans could turn to waivers and pick up another team's castaway.
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.
Safety (4)
- Kevin Byard
- Amani Hooker
- Matthias Farley
- Bradley McDougald
Coaches always say that availability is the best ability, and Dane Cruikshank has yet to master that. It's been a disappointing camp for him because of injuries, and he's probably on his way out the door.
McDougald came right in and made plays for the Titans when Cruikshank and Farley went down with injuries around halfway through camp.
Specialist (3)
- Sam Ficken
- Brett Kern
- Morgan Cox
Ficken earned this job. He's kicking the ball strongly and confidently.
Cover image: George Walker IV/The Tennessean via pool
