Predicting the Titans' 53-Man Roster
NASHVILLE – It has been an offseason unlike any other in the NFL, but Saturday will a day identical to one that takes place every year. Every team must reduce its roster to the regular-season limit of 53 players.
“Guys put a lot into to what we're doing each and every day,” Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel said this week. “So, it is a difficult time, not only for coaches, but players as well. They're in the locker room together. They're in meeting rooms together. They eat together and everybody understands it's this time of the year and when we get to Saturday.
“We're always going to put a lot into the guys that are here and try to do right by them and be respectful for the ones that we have to move on from and try to never shut the door on any one player. We've released players that have come back and that are still helping us today.”
Cuts must be made by 3 p.m. (CDT) Saturday.
So, with that in mind, here is our projection for who will make the cut.
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks (3): Ryan Tannehill, Logan Woodside, Trevor Siemian
Analysis: It has become vogue to keep just two quarterbacks on the active roster but with this year’s expanded practice squad and adjusted gameday rules, three makes sense. The thinking will be that if something happens to Tannehill, Woodside can finish a game. If Tannehill misses extended time, Siemian can be elevated and serve as the starter in Tannehill’s stead.
Running backs (3): Derrick Henry, Darrynton Evans, Khari Blasingame.
Analysis: This is pretty straight-forward. Henry and Evans return to the roles they played in 2019. Evans, the third-round draft pick out of Appalachian State, is the change of pace.
Offensive linemen (8): tackles – Taylor Lewan, Dennis Kelly, Isaiah Wilson, Ty Sambrailo; guards – Rodger Saffold, Nate Davis, Jamil Douglas; center – Ben Jones.
Analysis: The starting five is clear with four returners plus Kelly at right tackle. Douglas is the primary backup at the three inside positions. Sambrailo is a swing player, and Wilson gets the time he needs to develop.
Tight ends (4): Jonnu Smith, Anthony Firkser, MyCole Pruitt, Geoff Swaim.
Analysis: The first three have been set in stone since early in the offseason. Swaim was a training camp addition who adds size and experience to the group.
Wide receivers (5): A.J. Brown, Corey Davis, Adam Humphries, Kalif Raymond, Rashard Davis.
Analysis: There never has been a question about the top three. The battle for No. 4 and beyond has been one of the most interesting aspects of the offseason. Raymond and Davis were on the active roster at the end of 2019, and they will be there at the start of 2020.
DEFENSE
Defensive linemen (6): DaQuan Jones, Jeffery Simmons, Jack Crawford, Matt Dickerson, Larrell Murchison, Isaiah Mack.
Analysis: The success of this group hinges on Simmons taking a big step in his second year and Dickerson developing into a regular rotational player.
Linebackers (10): inside linebackers – Rashaan Evans, Jayon Brown, David Long, Will Compton, Nick Dzubnar; outside linebackers – Harold Landry, Kamalei Correa, Vic Beasley, D’Andre Walker, Derick Roberson.
Analysis: The assumption is that Beasley won’t be ready to go in Week 1, but he is not so far off that he would need to start the year on injured reserve. Roberson’s recent injury could land him on IR, however, and open up a place for a player at another position.
Cornerbacks (6): Malcolm Butler, Adoreé Jackson, Johnathan Joseph, Kristian Fulton, Chris Milton, Chris Jackson.
Analysis: The big question is whether Fulton starts the year as the slot cornerback or of Joseph holds down that spot until the rookie is ready. Jackson, the seventh-round pick, will make his bones on special teams.
Safeties (5): Kevin Byard, Kenny Vaccaro, Dane Cruikshank, Amani Hooker, Joshua Kalu.
Analysis: This is the same group that was together for virtually all of 2019 (once Kalu got healthy). There is no reason to make any changes to it.
SPECIALISTS
Kicker (1): Stephen Gostkowski
Punter (1): Brett Kern
Long snapper (1): Beau Brinkley
Analysis: Kern and Brinkley have been locked into their roles for years. The recent addition of Gostkowski is designed to end the long and winding search for a kicker that began at the start of last season.
