Five Undrafted Rookies Make Tennessee Titans 53-Man Roster Including Caleb Murphy & Kearis Jackson
UPDATE 3:40 PM Central: This story has been updated after an additional signing
The Tennessee Titans' 53-man roster is starting to take shape and despite the unlikely odds, we saw five undrafted rookies earn roster spots. Those rookies were outside linebacker Caleb Murphy, safety Matthew Jackson wide receiver Kearis Jackson, linebacker Otis Reese Jr. and cornerback Anthony Kendall.
Murphy was a standout during the preseason. Murphy had a sack in all three games and finished with four total. That is no surprise when you see Murphy's college stats. Murphy had 40 total sacks in his last two college seasons at division-two Ferris State.
What is a surprise is Murphy climbing all the way from low-level college football to an NFL roster spot, but that is exactly what he has done according to Justin Melo. Murphy will now be slotted behind the top names at the position for the Titans like Harold Landry, Arden Key and Rashad Weaver.
Kearis Jackson will also be seeing a spot on the initial roster according to ESPN's Turron Davenport. Jackson impressed in the preseason with his versatility. The rookie out of Georgia can play on all of the special teams units while providing value as a returner. Jackson also can line up inside or outside as a receiver, even if that may not be his primary role on the team.
The third undrafted rookie to make the team that we have heard about so far is Anthony Kendall, who Melo also first reported on. Kendall played mostly outside corner for the Titans in the preseason, but has slot ability based on scouting reports from college. That isn't how Kendall made the team though.
Like Jackson, Kendall provides major value on special teams and flashed on kickoff and punt coverage units during the preseason. The Titans may not need Kendall at corner if the season goes correctly, but they will need him on special teams.
Kendall's story is remarkable. He spent five years at Baldwin-Wallace University on the division-three level after having zero division-one offers coming out of high school. He went to multiple regional tryouts after not getting an invite to the NFL combine and eventually joined the Titans as an undrafted free agent.
Kendall's climb is a testament to his hard work and the possibilities the sport of football creates.
The Titans will also be keeping linebacker Otis Reese Jr. on the roster. Reese is another rookie who impressed with his special teams plays, but he also plays with the physicality and violence head coach Mike Vrabel likes to see.
Finally, we have safety Matthew Jackson whose status was first reported by Melo. A former linebacker out of Eastern Kentucky, Jackson is another player who made the Titans' roster after having a tryout after the NFL draft. Jackson is another player who provides special teams value, but his defensive versatility is something the Titans will certainly hope to cultivate.
While there is no guarantee that any of these four players are on the roster a week from now, making the initial depth chart is something to be proud of.
Related Titans Roster News
- TITANS CUT MCMATH, PATRICK: The Tennessee Titans must trim their roster down to 53 players by Tuesday afternoon and the cuts have started rolling in with receiver Racey McMath as the day's first move. CLICK HERE
- TITANS TRIM OL: The Tennessee Titans' roster cutdown continues on Tuesday and we saw them part ways with three depth offensive linemen as they make their way to 53 players. CLICK HERE
- TITANS TRADE FOR FOLK: The Tennessee Titans will reportedly be adding kicker Nick Folk after making a trade with the New England Patriots. CLICK HERE
- TITANS CUT CAMPBELL, OTHERS: The Tennessee Titans are cutting down their roster to 53 players and we just got another wave of cuts announced from multiple reports. CLICK HERE
