(Mandatory Photo Credit: Christopher Hanewinckle / USA Today Sports)
Written By: Joseph Yun
Twitter: @2Yoon2ZeroBlitz
The offseason of anarchic pandemonium has finally slowed to a bare trickle as teams are gathering for OTAs, which are ongoing and then have a brief reprieve during the summer. We all need the time off to figure out who, what, when, and where of every move of this offseason treasure trove.
Tennessee has a veteran roster returning with a few young players looking to make a mark in Nashville. Who could ultimately make the 53-man roster that gets set in early September? Can these men get rid of the heinously fetid and reprehensibly abominable home playoff loss to the reigning AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals stench?
OFFENSE
Quarterback (3)
1. Ryan Tannehill
2. Logan Woodside
3. Malik Willis ( R )
- While wide receiver saw the most change, it was the quarterback room that got the tongues of every local and national writer wagging in anticipation. Tannehill obviously returns, thanks in large part due to a hysterically astronomical dead cap hit of $57 million if he were to be not on the roster. Logan Woodside has been a little-used (unless you count the rare fake punt play and garbage time/preseason reps) backup for years on end. Malik Willis enters the room with much fanfare as possibly the best quarterback prospect in the most recent draft. It’s extremely likely that Tennessee carries three quarterbacks on the roster bucking a historical franchise trend of two (plus the COVID “designated survivor” on the PS), given that Willis isn’t ready yet. The coaching staff probably won’t be comfortable with Willis being just one play away from assuming the mantle for a while. Check back in 2023 for the status of this position group.
Running Back (4)
1. Derrick Henry
2. Hassan Haskins ( R )
3. Dontrel Hillard
4. Tory Carter (FB)
- Derrick Henry leads the running back room once again after missing a large portion of the season in 2021 and looking ineffective in his return. It will be a big workload campaign for him once again I suspect. Dontrel Hilliard returns as a key backup who played reasonably well under the circumstances last season. Another backup, D’Onta Foreman left for Carolina in free agency. Former Michigan back Hassan Haskins enters the fray as a fourth-round rookie featuring a similar skill set to that of the main guy. Tory Carter returns as the fullback, a position that Henry has made some hay running behind. Jordan Wilkins was a late-term addition last season to fill in the gaps and returns for a shot at the big roster. Trenton Cannon has signed in free agency this offseason. This position group seems largely settled heading into the season and the real battle is to decide who will be the in-season call-up should injury occur again.
Wide Receiver (6)
1. Robert Woods
2. Treylon Burks ( R )
3. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
4. Kyle Phillips ( R )
5. Dez Fitzpatrick
6. Josh Malone
- The receiver room has undergone significant changes as AJ Brown was traded (essentially for Burks in a roundabout way), Robert Woods (coming off an ACL injury) was traded for, and Julio Jones was released due to injury and ineffectiveness. NWI is actually the leading returning receiver after all that hullabaloo. Woods seems to be ready for camp as of this writing but historically, the staff has been very conservative with injuries so it will be one to watch. Burks has had an inauspicious start to his pro career to date. Phillips is another rookie likely to make the team out of camp. Fitzpatrick is a returning sophomore who struggled immensely last season but has drawn praise this offseason. Malone is a veteran whose alma mater is Tennessee. Names to monitor for the back end of the receiver room: Mason Kinsey, 2022 UDFA signees Reggie Roberson, Jr, and Brandon Lewis. Could there be a surprise signing at this position like Will Fuller or even OBJ late in the offseason?
Tight End (3)
1. Austin Hooper
2. Geoff Swaim
3. Chigoziem Okonkwo ( R )
- Two new additions to the tight end room in the form of free-agent signee Austin Hooper and fourth-round rookie Chig Okonkwo. Geoff Swain returned on an incredibly overvalued one-year deal when greater talents were available for less. He brings some familiarity to the team while Hooper and Okonkwo get acclimated and more known for his blocking skills. The rookie is almost a carbon copy of a former Titans tight end in Jonnu Smith. The back end of the tight end room could be competitive as veterans Ryan Izzo and Tommy Hudson will battle it out for an unlikely spot. Thomas Edukoya is a free exempt roster addition (basically a 17th member of the practice squad) as part of the International Pathways Program. The IPP was designed to open up the game for elite-level international athletes who can stay up to a full season on the PS. It is believed that Edukoya is Tennessee’s first-ever IPP signee. Notable free agent possibilities include Gronk, Eric Ebron, and former Titans fan legend MyCole Pruitt.
Offensive Tackle (4)
1. Taylor Lewan
2. Dillon Radunz
3. Nicholas Petit-Frere
4. Derwin Gray
- Lewan returns after a middling 2021 season recovering from an ACL injury suffered in 2020, leading to job speculation. He’s on notice, for sure but is cemented as the franchise left tackle. Radunz is a tackle masquerading as a guard due to the staff’s vehement insistence that he cross-trains there. I think he wins the right tackle job that’s been up for grabs since Jack Conklin left for a bigger paycheck in Cleveland. Petit-Frere was a third-round selection and is slated to be a backup swing tackle after competing for the aforementioned right tackle spot. Derwin Gray is yet another bouncy veteran who has prior experience on the Titans practice squad. He makes the team over a host of 2022 UDFA signees. Keep an eye on Christian DiLauro who seems to be an offseason favorite signing every year it seems for the staff.
Guard (3)
1. Jamarco Jones
2. Nate Davis
3. Corey Levin
- Veteran standout Rodger Saffold was released as a cap casualty during the offseason. In comes Jamarco Jones as his likely cost-effective replacement. Former third-round selection Davis had an inconsistent 2021 season and will look to rebound as the starting right guard. He will need a bounceback season to secure a decently sized bag in his walk year. Levin is a familiar face to Titans fans as he was a former draft pick years ago, left, and then returned last season. He’s a valuable swing guard/center type who can play either in a pinch. Could there be a late arrival such as Ereck Flowers or a reunion with Quinton Spain (which could be potentially divisive given the theatrics last game) in the works?
Center (2)
1. Ben Jones
2. Aaron Brewer
- Jones has been a rock at center for several years now but is getting up there in age so a replacement will be needed soon. He recently extended his stay in Nashville in order for the team to find one eventually. Brewer is in line to compete for left guard but can play center in a pinch. A veteran line continues in perpetuity it seems like.
DEFENSE
Defensive End (3)
1. Denico Autry
2. DeMarcus Walker
3. Da’Shawn Hand
- Autry proved to be a very smart signing for the Titans last offseason and returns for an encore season at the edge. Walker is a veteran who recently signed from Houston so the ties to the staff are extensive. He provides interior and outside versatility in spades. The former Seminole should make the team as a result. Hand is a former Alabama product who has bounced around the league but showed enough as a member of the Titans’ practice squad in the span of a month to merit a retainment. He’ll be a depth piece at least.
Defensive Tackle (4)
1. Jeffery Simmons
2. Teair Tart
3. Naquan Jones
4. Larell Murchinson
- Jeffery Simmons is spoken for obviously as he’s one of the best defensive tackles in the league and the team has picked up his fifth-year option. Defensive tackle has traditionally been a position where an undrafted free agent has made the senior squad under Mike Vrabel’s regime. Tart and Jones are recent examples so 2022 UDFA signees Haskell Garrett and Jayden Peevy have something to work towards. Murchinson has made relatively little impact but has played some as a 2020 fifth-round selection. Could UDFA signee Sam Okuayinou make the team?
Outside Linebacker (5)
1. Bud Dupree
2. Harold Landry
3. Rashad Weaver
4. Ola Adenyi
5. David Anenih ( R )
- Not much changed with the outside linebacker group besides Landry’s new expensive contract making on par with Dupree’s deal. Weaver returns to action coming off a broken leg that cost him the season early on. He’s on track to be the third EDGE rusher behind the stars after garnering praise so far during the offseason. Adenyi is another returnee coming off a great season as a backup. Joining the group is highly touted undrafted rookie David Anenih from Houston.
Inside Linebacker (4)
1. David Long
2. Zach Cunningham
3. Monty Rice
4. Chance Campbell ( R )
- Gone are Jayon Brown and Rashaan Evans. Long has been marinating and moonlighting as a part-time starter for several years. Now he steps in as the full-time starter. The sixth-round selection has paid off in spades for Tennessee as a backup, can he continue to do so as a starter? Cunningham returns as a starter after being a gift of a waiver pickup from the Texans late last season. Rice played well during his rookie campaign before he too suffered a season-ending injury. Campbell is a sixth-round rookie with a real chance to make the team based on special teams impact potential.
Cornerback (5)
1. Kristian Fulton
2. Caleb Farley
3. Roger McCreary ( R )
4. Elijah Molden
5. Buster Skrine
- A mix of young veterans finding their way and unproven talent dot the depth chart at corner. Fulton tops the chart as a proven commodity at such a young age. He’s in line for an extension and should get a sizable one within the next year or so. Skrine played well last season after being signed late in the season as an injury replacement. He merited a return and signed a one-year deal. Molden got his rookie jitters in for sure but played up to his draft status. Farley is essentially an unknown quantity and a rookie after missing a significant chunk of the season with a torn ACL. Still, he’s a first-round selection so he’ll get this year at least to prove it. McCreary comes highly regarded from Auburn so he’ll likely compete for nickel snaps at the least. The cornerback group is fairly set but expect eternal signee Greg Mabin to compete for reps alongside undrafted free agents Tre Swilling and Kenneth George, Jr.
Safety (4)
1. Kevin Byard
2. Amani Hooker
3. Chris Jackson
4. Theo Jackson ( R )
- A trio of returning veterans who know and play their roles well. Byard is one of the best safeties in the league. Hooker is a solid piece and offers versatility in both the free and strong safety roles. Brothers Jackson (no relation but work with me here), offers a ton of versatility. Chris has played corner but is better at safety. He still retains his spot at safety due to the renewed depth at cornerback. The rookie Theo has played some corner as well but is a safety through and through. He played a lot of roles for the Volunteers secondary during his time in college and the versatility will help the rookie to make the team.
Special Teams (3)
Kicker: Randy Bullock
Punter: Brett Kern
Long Snapper: Morgan Cox
- The same battery from the 2021 season returns for another go in 2022. Punt Gawd Brett Kern has experienced some dropoff from his usual high expectations but will make the roster due to familiarity and contract. Same with Randy Bullock who has been the Titans’ most consistent kicker since the heyday of the late Rob Bironas it seems. Morgan Cox returns for another term at long snapper after performing rather well in 2021. Tennessee did bring in competition for both kicker and punter but the vets win outbarring injury and/or inconsistency.
Breakdown
Offense Total: 25
Defense Total: 25
ST Total: 3