NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Here's my stab at the Titans' initial 53-man roster.
I have an inkling they will be light at tight end to start, but I'm not sure where that makes them heavy. I went with an extra wide receiver considering the injuries. I also factored in a forgotten running back, though we have no idea about the severity of the knee injury he suffered in the preseason opener.
Quarterbacks (3) -- Ryan Tannehill, Malik Willis, Will Levis.
Yes, there was great progress from Willis and yes it's still early. I still don't have a lot of faith in Willis but it's still relatively early. This is as much about next year as it is this year. If things unfold where they move on from Tannehill, maybe they have starter and backup in Levis and Willis. [Unlocked]
Running backs (4) -- Derrick Henry, Tyjae Spears, Julius Chestnut, Jonathan Ward. [Unlocked]
Everyone seems to have forgotten about Wards, who's a quality backup to Spears and can be a core special teamers. It's just a question of how long the knee injury has him sidelined.
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Wide receivers (7) -- DeAndre Hopkins, Treylon Burks, Kyle Philips, Chris Moore, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Colton Dowell, Tre'Shaun Harrison.
Harrison is my last guy here and I put him over a fourth tight end, so it could be short-lived if it pans out this way. But this would give the Titans five healthy receivers for opening day presuming Burks and Philips are out with Moore, NWI and Dowell sure to contribute on special teams.
Tight ends (3) -- Chig Okonkwo, Trevon Wesco, Josh Whyle.
Offensive line (9) -- Andre Dillard, Peter Skoronski, Aaron Brewer, Daniel Brunskill, Chris Hubbard, Justin Murray, Jordan Roos, Corey Levin, Jaelyn Duncan.
I don't think Duncan has done enough to make the roster, but a sixth-round draft pick gets the benefit of the doubt and time to grow as the last man in the group. He will have to have made some strides by the time Nicholas Petit-Frere returns from suspension in Week 7.
Defensive line (5) -- Jeffery Simmons, Teair Tart, Jayden Peevy, Naquan Jones, Kyle Peko
Sorting through Naquan Jones (who missed time after a knee scope), Jaleel Johnson, Kyle Peko, Tyler Shelvin, TK McClendon and Michael Dwumfour may be one of the tougher areas the Titans are dealing with. This is absolutely where I feel least confident. And we're going heavy for the moment.
Outside linebackers (5) -- Denico Autry, Harold Landry, Arden Key, Rashad Weaver, Sam Okuayinonu
Inside linebackers (4) -- Azeez Al-Shaair, Jack Gibbens, Chance Campbell, Luke Gifford
After Al-Shaair a nice group... of special teamers. Really need a waiver claim of a better starter than Gibbens who's the weak link no matter how smart he is.
Safeties (5) -- Kevin Byard, Amani Hooker, Elijah Molden, Mike Brown, Josh Thompson.
Brown is more of a special teamer than a safety, though they have been talking up his defensive play. Depth is still an issue here though Molden will play a good deal in dime and Shy Carter is a corner/safety hybrid now.
Corner (6) -- Kristian Fulton, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Roger McCreary, Tre Avery, Shy Carter, Eric Garror.
Garror is a great camp story. He is a feisty tackler who could be the opening-day punt returner.
Kicker (0) -- He's not here yet.
Punter (1) -- Ryan Stonehouse.
Long Snapper (1) -- Morgan Cox.
Offense: 26
Defense: 25
Specialists: 2
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