Tis time for my first Tennessee Titans 53-man roster projection as Robert Saleh and the new staff kick off their mandatory minicamp week at the newly named Vanderbilt Health Football Center.

This team will look incredibly different on the practice field for minicamp as several important names will return for the mandatory part of the offseason program.

But, the theme of this 2026 Titans group is simply how few names are still here, both on the team and the coaching staff (hell, even the front office) from two seasons ago in the summer of 2024.

In my first 53-man roster projection here is a split of players in terms of time spent with the franchise:

• 19 veteran newcomers
• 7 rookies* (draft picks)
• 12 second year NFL players
• 4 vets in second season with the Titans
• 10 offensive/defensive players who have been with the team since 2024 or earlier
• 1 Morgan Cox

There is also a massive difference in how Saleh breaks down one of these position groups. We are all going to need to rewire how we categories defensive lineman into tackles, inside/outside players, and pure rush ends.

Titans 53-Man Roster Projection Before Mandatory Minicamp

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Quarterback (2)

• IN: Cam Ward, Mitch Trubisky
• OUT: Will Levis, Hendon Hooker (practice squad option)

The Skinny: Levis is OUT, but I have no idea how he will go out. Everyone involved should hope for a trade, instead of a cut. I don’t think the Titans have enough flexible roster space to keep three QBs, as we’ll see throughout this exercise. Hooker on the practice squad makes sense. He has athleticism and the mental capabilities to give the defense a good look by modeling serval different types of quarterbacks on scout team.

Running Back (4)

• IN: Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, Nick Singleton*, Michael Carter
• OUT: Julius Chestnut, Kalel Mullings

The Skinny: The fourth and final running back spot was literally the last decision I made on this 53-man roster projection. I feel good about the need to keep four, but a case can be made for Carter, Chestnut, or Mullings. My tiebreaker went to Carter, who has history with Saleh in New York, and can check the boxes for both special teams and pass protection.

Wide Receiver (6)

• IN: Carnell Tate*, Wan’Dale Robinson, Calvin Ridley, Elic Ayomanor, Chim Dike, Bryce Oliver
• OUT: K.J. Osborn, Xavier Restrepo (practice squad option), Tyren Montgomery* (practice squad option), Mason Kinsey (practice squad option), Hank Beatty*, (practice squad option), Lance McCutcheon, Courtney Jackson

The Skinny: I don’t think the Titans have room for seven receivers. Osborn is a worthy NFL WR, but can he out-duel Oliver on special teams? Due to Dike’s ability to play slot, I don’t think Restrepo can make it. Not all of the practice squad option players can kept. Tough decisions will be made there, too.

Tight End (4)

• IN: Gunnar Helm, Daniel Bellinger, Kylen Granson, Jaren Kanak*
• OUT: David Martin-Robinson (practice squad option), Joel Wilson

The Skinny: If I’m wrong here (assuming health) Granson and Martin-Robinson would be swapped. Kanak will find his way on the 53, but could start the season as one of the inactives on game day.

Offensive Line (9)

• IN: Dan Moore Jr., Peter Skoronski, Austin Schlottman, Cordell Volson, JC Latham, Pat Coogan*, Fernando Carmona*, Jackson Slater, Austin Deculus
• OUT: Rasheed Miller* (practice squad option), Aamil Wagner* (practice squad option), Ryan Hayes, Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, Garrett Dellinger (practice squad option), Drew Moss, Andre James

The Skinny: Oh boy, the tackle position is THIN. I don’t see any of the five interior guys getting cut, so could the Titans keep 10 lineman? If one of the two UDFA rookies impresses enough, sure. I don’t think Crenshaw-Dickson can beat either Miller or Wagner out.

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Defensive Line (9)

• Tackle IN: Jeffery Simmons, Jordan Elliot, Soloman Thomas
• Big End IN: John Frankin-Myers, Keldric Faulk*
• Rush End IN: Jermaine Johnson, Femi Oladejo, Jacob Martin, Jaylen Harrell
• Tackle OUT: Jackie Marshall*, Timmy Horne, Cam Horsley
• Big End OUT: Jalyn Holmes
• Rush End OUT: Truman Jones, Malik Herring, Earnest Brown, David Ebuka-Agoha,

The Skinny: My second to last roster spot I filled (behind RB4) was DL9. It’s funny, that I’ve never done a 53-man roster projection or prediction for a 4-3 Titans defense. This is the biggest difference for how we are going to need to understand how Saleh’s defense is going to be labelled. I think there’s a strong chance they can keep 10 defensive lineman. I’m unsure which position loses a number to do that, so I’ll keep this at nine for the time being.

Linebackers (5)

• IN: Cody Barton, Cedric Gray, Anthony Hill Jr.*, Dorian Mausi, Mohamoud Diabate
• OUT: James Williams Sr., Sean Brown*, Shad Banks Jr.*, Mani Powell*

The Skinny: Williams Sr. was one of our “tough break” Titans for this coaching change. I think he’s the odd man out. He was drafted by the GM, who is no longer here, for the defensive scheme that is no longer in use.

Cornerbacks (6)

• IN: Alontae Taylor, Cor’Dale Flott, Marcus Harris, Josh Williams, Micah Robinson, Keydrain Calligan
• OUT: Latrell McCutchin Sr.*, Jalen McMurray*, Jaedyn Lukus* (all practice squad options)

The Skinny: The cornerback room feels and looks thin. I do think Robinson has had a solid spring, but is absolutely unproven. The starters, including Harris as the nickel, are significantly improved.

Safeties (5)

• IN: Amani Hooker, Kevin Winston Jr., Tony Adams, Jerrick Reed II, Kendall Brooks,
• OUT: Bishop Fitzgerald*, Sanousi Kane, Erick Hallett II (all practice squad options)

The Skinny: The top three safeties are pretty set. The back two are completely up in the air. One of these three after Hooker and Winston will need to have ability as a big-nickel safety. Right now, Adams and Reed feel like the best fits of the current options. It would not shock me if there was an outside veteran or two brought in to continue competition.

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Specialists (3)

• IN: Joey Slye (K), Tommy Townsend (P), Morgan Cox (long snapper)
• OUT: Nobody

The Skinny: This is a good group. If there’s a weakness it would be Slye, but he’s a very solid kicker with big time distance.