The Tennessee Titans are on their way to being down to the league mandated 75 man roster which they must accomplish by 4:00 p.m. EST today. By that same time Saturday, they must be at the league mandated 53 man limit but can start adding practice squad players beginning at noon Sunday. So let’s take our first stab at projecting their 53 man roster shall we? The Titans play their final pre-season game Thursday night at LP Field against the Minnesota Vikings.
Offense (25)
QBs (3) Jake Locker, Charlie Whitehurst, and Zach Mettenberger
This one isn’t hard. The Titans will go with three quarterbacks this year given Jake Locker’s injury history.
RBs (5) Dexter McCluster, Shonn Greene, Jackie Battle, Bishop Sankey, and Leon Washington
Keep an eye on Jackie Battle’s stinger. Leon Washington is here because he is listed as a running back but he should be their kick returner.
WRs (5) Nate Washington, Kendall Wright, Justin Hunter, Mike Preston, and Marc Mariani
The Titans could go with 6 wide receivers instead of 4 tight ends. If they add a six I think it’s Derek Hagan.
TEs (4) Delanie Walker, Craig Stevens, Taylor Thompson and Chase Coffman
I struggled to decide whether the Titans would carry three tight ends. If they carry four it’s a close race between Jason Schepler and Chase Coffman. I chose Coffman because he does have NFL experience. I really liked what I saw from Schepler in camp.
OL (8) Mike Roos, Andy Levitre, Brian Schwenke, Chance Warmack, Mike Oher, Taylor Lewan, Chris Spencer, and Byron Stingily.
I penciled Byron Stingily into the last spot but had Gabe Ikard stayed healthy he could have been a legitimate candidate. I wouldn’t rule out Eric Olsen either.
Defense (25)
DL (8) Jurrell Casey, Ropati Pituitua, Sammie Lee Hill, Karl Klug, Al Woods, Mike Martin, DaQuan Jones and Antonio Johnson
This was the hardest position for me to pick mostly because Mookie Johnson and Mike Martin are injured. It sounds like they are close to returning however and I believe they fit the system better than Lavar Edwards. In the end it came down to Johnson and Edwards at that last spot.
LBS (9) Derrick Morgan, Kam Wimbley, Zach Brown, Wesley Woodyard, Akeem Ayers, Shaun Phillips, Zaviar Gooden, Moise Fokou and Avery Williamson
It was difficult to leave Patrick Bailey off the roster and he has historically been better on special teams. I think Fokou is the better linebacker and he can also play on special teams so I went with him.
DBs (8) Bernard Pollard, Mike Griffin, Jason McCourty, Coty Sensabaugh, Blidi Wreh-Wilson, George Wilson, Daimion Stafford, and Marqueston Huff
Tommie Campbell’s inability to step up on defense and on special teams has hurt him. I don’t think he makes this roster. I also think the Titans could look in free agency at the defensive back position. If they add a DB I think they take away a linebacker spot.
Special Teams (3)
Punter Brett Kern
LS Beau Brinkley
PK Travis Coons
Maikon Bonani has improved but so has Coons. Bonani may have the bigger leg but Coons is far more accurate. The Titans could look to the waiver wire as well. There are some good kickers on the market.
