The Tennessee Titans will cut their roster to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET Saturday. Here’s a projection:
QUARTERBACK (2): Marcus Mariota, Ryan Tannehill
The time is now for Mariota. The fifth-year quarterback has to prove that he can lead the offense. Mariota took all of the first-team reps and is clearly the starter heading into the 2019 season despite rumors suggesting a QB competition. Tannehill , the former Dolphins starter, can come in and win games for Tennessee if Mariota has to miss time due to injury.
RUNNING BACK (3): Derrick Henry, Dion Lewis, David Fluellen
Henry didn't practice during training camp but came back in the final two weeks of the preseason. The Titans will rely heavily on Henry to set up the offense so expect plenty of carries for the big back. Lewis remains a change-of-pace back who will also give Tennessee a pass-catching option out of the backfield. Jeremy McNichols made a strong case for a roster spot with a solid camp. But Fluellen's versatility (saw reps at fullback) and hard work during the offseason earned him a roster spot.
H-BACK (1): Ryan Hewitt
Hewitt's experience as a tight end and fullback make him a reliable replacement for Luke Stocker, who signed a free-agent deal with the Atlanta Falcons.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Corey Davis, Adam Humphries, Taywan Taylor, Tajae Sharpe, A.J. Brown, Darius Jennings
Like Mariota, Davis is looking to take a massive step with the Titans offense. Davis had a strong start to camp and should draw the assignment of the opposing team's top cover corner. Taylor is the team's best deep threat which earns him a spot on the roster. The final spot came down to Jennings, Kalif Raymond, and rookie Anthony Ratliff-Williams. Jennings' versatility pays off for him as he is capable of playing X, Z, or the slot in addition to being a solid return man.
TIGHT END (3): Delanie Walker, Jonnu Smith, Anthony Firkser
Walker is back and doesn't look like he missed a beat while rehabbing from an ankle injury that cost him 15 games last season. Smith was a late addition from the PUP list and looks to reassert himself as a matchup advantage for the Titans, especially in two-TE sets. Firkser's reliable hands and precise route running land him a spot. MyCole Pruitt is a Mike Vrabel guy, but Hewitt beats him out as a blocking TE.
OFFENSIVE LINE (10): Rodger Saffold, Ben Jones, Kevin Pamphile, Jack Conklin, Dennis Kelly, Nate Davis, Corey Levin, Aaron Stinnie, Jamil Douglas, Austin Pasztor
Taylor Lewan won't appear on this projection since he is suspended for the first four games of the season. He opens the year on the reserve/suspended list and won't count toward the 53 until Week 5. Pamphile and Douglas become valuable players due to their ability to play guard and tackle. Both competed for the right guard spot; neither took hold of the opportunity. Don't be surprised if Levin is the opening day center and Jones moves to right guard. That puts the best five linemen on the field for the Titans.
DEFENSIVE LINE (6): Jurrell Casey, DaQuan Jones, Brent Urban, Austin Johnson, Isaiah Mack, Matt Dickerson
Moving Jones to nose tackle has resulted in an upgrade along the interior. Urban settled in nicely at the 5-technique. First-round pick Jeffery Simmons will start the season on the physically unable to perform list which opens up a roster spot for Mack, a 2019 undrafted free agent. This group will also get some snaps from Cameron Wake and Sharif Finch at defensive end in sub-packages.
LINEBACKER (10): Harold Landry, Cameron Wake, Rashaan Evans, Jayon Brown, Wesley Woodyard, Sharif Finch, David Long, Daren Bates, Kamalei Correa, Derick Roberson
The future is extremely bright for the Titans at inside linebacker. Brown is a budding star while Evans has broken into the starting lineup and projects to be a breakout player in 2019. The outside linebacker group will feature Landry but may see an addition from the waiver wire. Roberson is another UDFA who will make the roster and get a chance to contribute.
SECONDARY (9): Adoree' Jackson, Logan Ryan, Malcolm Butler, Kevin Byard, Kenny Vaccaro, Dane Cruikshank, Amani Hooker, LeShaun Sims, Tye Smith
You won't find a better safety tandem than Vaccaro and Byard. Hooker is a rookie but will be used all over the secondary, especially against tight ends. Ryan had one of the best camps out of the players in the secondary. Sims and Smith round out the group, narrowly edging Josh Kalu and undrafted free agent Kareem Orr who both played well in training camp.
SPECIALIST (3): K Ryan Succop, P Brett Kern, LS Beau Brinkley
Tennessee's group of specialists have been together for the last five years.