2023 Tennessee Titans final 53-man roster prediction

NASHVILLE — With NFL cut day looming, the Tennessee Titans have just a few days to cut their training camp roster down to 53 players by the 4 p.m. ET deadline on Tuesday. As head coach Mike Vrabel said on Saturday, roster moves could even be made before Tuesday with the team planning to practice on […]

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NASHVILLE — With NFL cut day looming, the Tennessee Titans have just a few days to cut their training camp roster down to 53 players by the 4 p.m. ET deadline on Tuesday.

As head coach Mike Vrabel said on Saturday, roster moves could even be made before Tuesday with the team planning to practice on both Sunday and Monday. 

Here's my final prediction for what the Titans 53-man roster will look like for Week 1 in New Orleans.


Quarterbacks (3)

Will Levis
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Ryan Tannehill

Malik Willis

Will Levis (R)

Malik Willis earned his roster spot weeks ago, and nothing has changed here. Tennessee is going to keep three quarterbacks with Will Levis and Willis battling behind starter Ryan Tannehill for the backup quarterback job throughout the regular season. 

Running backs (3)

Julius Chestnut
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Derrick Henry

Tyjae Spears (R)

Julius Chestnut

Injuries to Jonathan Ward and Hassan Haskins have made a once very difficult decision much easier. 

Tyjae Spears is the real deal behind Derrick Henry and second-year running back Julius Chestnut took advantage of every opportunity on both offense and special teams during the preseason.

Wide receivers (6)

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DeAndre Hopkins

Treylon Burks

Kyle Philips

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

Chris Moore

Kearis Jackson (R)

With Treylon Burks and Kyle Philips both battling back from injuries, there was a major opportunity for the younger wide receivers on the Titans' roster to separate themselves and win a job.

Reggie Robertson Jr. and Tre'Shaun Harrison were not up for the task. Both have failed to translate practice success to the preseason games and have been trending down over the last few weeks . 

I have former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Kearis Jackson making the 53 as the starting punt returner to open the season. Colton Dowell and Mason Kinsey are both likely to land on the practice squad with future elevations or roster spots coming to them in the future.

Kyle Philips is a candidate to land on IR to open the season.

Tight ends (4)

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Chig Okonkwo

Trevon Wesco

Josh Whyle (R)

Thomas Odukoya

Rookie tight end Josh Whyle has had an underwhelming training camp and preseason to begin his NFL career, but I still think he’s a safe bet to make the team.

Whyle will sit behind Chig Okonkwo as the backup for Tennessee’s pass-catching tight end. Trevon Wesco will be the main inline blocker, and I have Thomas Odukoya making the cut as an insurance policy for Wesco up front.

Kevin Rader, who is a capable H-back, is another name to consider.

Offensive line (9)

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LT Andre Dillard

LG Peter Skoronski (R)

C Aaron Brewer

RG Daniel Brunskill

RT Chris Hubbard

OT Jaelyn Duncan (R)

OL Corey Levin

OL Xavier Newman

OL Justin Murray

The Titans' starting offensive line has not changed from the beginning of preseason action until now. Andre Dillard, Peter Skoronski, Daniel Brunskill, Aaron Brewer, and Chris Hubbard should be the first group on the field when the Titans open the season in New Orleans.

When Brunskill went to the locker room early on Friday night, it was Xavier Newman that entered as his replacement and suited up with that starting group. For that reason, I have Newman making the 53 man roster alongside veterans Justin Murray, Corey Levin, and sixth-round rookie Jaelyn Duncan.

Jordan Roos is another candidate with experience in the offense that could stick around, but for now, I have him on the outside looking in.

Defensive line (5)

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Jeffery Simmons

Denico Autry

Teair Tart

Jayden Peevy

Naquan Jones

Strong preseason performances from Michael Dwumfour and Kyle Peko have made decisions on the defensive line very difficult for Mike Vrabel and company.

"That's the whole idea," Vrabel said on after Friday's preseason finale. "Try to create as many decisions and competition at each spot. Michael (Dwumfour) keeps showing up. Kyle (Peko) finds a way to get to the game."

But with Naquan Jones returning to practice and looking healthy this past week, I'll take him and preseason underdog Jayden Peevy to make the 53 over Peko and Dwumfour, who were brought in for camp late.

Outside linebacker (4)

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Harold Landry III

Arden Key

Rashad Weaver

Caleb Murphy

With the versatility of Denico Autry, the Titans could very easily go thinner at outside linebacker to keep a defensive back that's impactful on special teams. 

Landry, Key, and Weaver are mortal locks, and with the way Caleb Murphy has rushed the passer this preseason, it's hard to keep him off the 53. 

Inside linebacker (5)

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Azeez Al-Shaair

Jack Gibbens

Monty Rice

Ben Niemann

Luke Gifford

My final prediction at inside linebacker has veteran Ben Niemann edging out Chance Campbell for a roster spot and acting as the backup for Azeez Al-Shaair in case of emergency.

Al-Shaair, Gibbens, and Gifford are all locks in my opinion, but things could get interesting with Monty Rice, who has been injured and unreliable since entering the league. But is Rice expendable?

Secondary (11)

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CB Kristian Fulton

CB Sean Murphy-Bunting

CB Roger McCreary

CB Tre Avery

CB Eric Garror (R)

CB Armani Marsh (R)

S Kevin Byard

S Amani Hooker

S Mike Brown

DB Elijah Molden

DB Josh Thompson

11 is a lot to keep in the secondary, but the Titans kept as many on the initial 53 in 2022 and given the competition amongst the younger players this fall, it wouldn't surprise me.

Josh Thompson has been referred to as "core special teams player" by head coach Mike Vrabel, and rookie cornerback Eric Garror is both a solid depth corner and option at punt returner.

Armani Marsh could very well get sent to the practice squad, but I think his physicality and ability to stop the run from the nickel is enough to earn him a spot. I think Caleb Farley opens the season on the PUP list.

Specialists (3)

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K Michael Badgley

P Ryan Stonehouse

LS Morgan Cox

Did Michael Badgley do enough to keep his job as the Titans' Week 1 kicker? It’s hard to say, but for the time being, he’s still the guy.

The situation in New England with veteran Nick Folk and fourth-round draft pick Chad Ryland is a situation to keep an eye on. Folk could end up a free agent if he gets waived.