The Tennessee Titans are set to open their doors to both the rookies and the veterans on Tuesday, so it’s a great time to look at who could make the final 53-man roster after a quiet offseason. Which youngsters will make their mark and make it onto the Titans’ pre-camp roster projection? How many of the 2025 draft class could find themselves as Titans come September? Several backup jobs are up for grabs, and a great performance in camp and preseason will launch a surprising career or three.
Tennessee Titans Roster Projection: Pre-Training Camp Edition
Offense
Quarterback (3)
- Cam Ward (R)
- Will Levis
- Brandon Allen
Contender: Tim Boyle
It’s the same three quarterbacks that occupy the roster from the offseason rendition, after no new changes have been made to date. Ward is the presumptive favorite to garner the most reps, following the collapse of Levis, which led to Ward’s selection in April. While Levis and Callahan have said the right things, it could be speculated that his time on the team will be short-lived if an injury or drop in form happens elsewhere. Allen is the likely favored contender for the third spot in this Titans camp roster projection over Boyle. There is a chance that Tennessee goes fishing for a capable backup should one appear after the preseason.
Running Back (4)
- Tony Pollard
- Tyjae Spears
- Kalel Mullings (R)
- Jordan Mims
Contender: Julius Chestnut
The back end of the running back group has seen some churn as several free agents have come and gone since the draft. Mullings is a safe bet to make the roster, but he is nursing an injury heading into camp. Mims replaces Tyrion Davis-Price as the potential fourth back on the team after being signed on Thursday afternoon. Chestnut is the odd man out once again in this Titans camp roster projection.
Wide Receiver (6)
- Calvin Ridley
- Tyler Lockett
- Elic Ayomanor (R)
- Chimere Dike (R)
- Bryce Oliver
- Xavier Restrepo (R)
Contenders: Van Jefferson, James Proche II, Treylon Burks, Colton Dowell, Jha’Quan Jackson, TJ Sheffield
Tennessee engages in a full-blown youth movement at receiver, leaving only Ridley and Lockett with more than two seasons of service time. Three rookies make it onto the 53-man roster after a ferocious competition that will emphasize special teams as a priority. The sad tale of Treylon Burks finally reaches its merciful conclusion, and he no longer exists on the Titans. Jefferson falls short in this camp roster projection, but will probably make the team out of camp at the end. Jackson and Proche bring special teams value in theory, but in actuality, their impact is limited. Expect a full-blown onslaught of spirited competition for such a limited number of vacancies. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the front office wades through the waiver wire for additional help.
Tight End (3)
- Chig Okonkwo
- Gunnar Helm (R)
- David Martin-Robinson
Contenders: Josh Whyle, Thomas Odukoya, Drake Dabney
The tight end room is a perfunctory competition that should see a majority of the incumbents stick on the roster, with a chance of a sneaky play getting through. Despite being a fourth-round selection just a season ago, Whyle will face tough competition to make the roster with Helm’s presence. DMR and Odukoya will likely battle it out for a job as the blocking tight end. Dabney will have to seriously impress to have a shot at making the final 53.
Offensive Tackle (4)
- Dan Moore, Jr
- J.C. Latham
- John Ojukwu
- Oli Udoh
Contenders: Jaelyn Duncan and Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson
Ojukwu and Udoh make up the tackle depth chart in this rendition after the offseason. Duncan has been a disastrous player, but to be fair to him, he was thrown into the fire much too quickly over two coaching regimes. He doesn’t make the roster as a result and is likely a practice squad candidate if eligible. Crenshaw-Dicksst misses the roster while competing for a backup role in this Titans camp roster projection.
Guard (4)
- Peter Skoronski
- Kevin Zeitler
- Blake Hance
- Jackson Slater (R)
Contenders: Sam Mustipher and Chandler Brewer
There are three players with a legitimate shot at securing the remaining two spots at guard. Hance possesses the Callahan edge, and Slater is a fifth-round rookie. Mustipher’s versatility will play a heavy role in his chances of making the roster. Given that Zeitler is on a one-year deal and his age, finding a replacement for the future is imperative for the franchise. It’s a golden chance for Slater to learn behind a stout veteran. Camp cuts could be worth monitoring at the end of August.
Center (2)
- Lloyd Cushenberry
- Corey Levin
Contender: Brendan Jaimes
Levin is considered the favorite to secure the backup center job headed into camp due to his experience with the team. Cushenberry’s status is worth monitoring as he battles back from an Achilles injury. It remains to be seen if he’s limited to start camp.
Defense
IDL (5)
- Jeffery Simmons
- T’Vondre Sweat
- Sebastian Joseph-Day
- Keondre Coburn
- Carlos Watkins
Contenders: James Lynch, Cam Horsley (R), Phillip Blidi (R), Devonte O’Malley (R), Isaiah Raikes (R)
The interior defensive line group might be the most fascinating group to watch as training camp takes its course. Yes, the top four are spoken for, but the battle for the final spot is a fun one. Watkins’ versatility could win him a place over a host of undrafted rookies and incumbent Lynch. If a youngster takes it from him, place your money on Horsley or O’Malley with Raikes lurking as a super dark horse.
EDGE (5)
- Arden Key
- Dre’Mont Jones
- Oluwafemi Oladejo
- Lorenzo Carter
- Jaylen Harrell
Contenders: Titus Leo, Ali Gaye, Desmond Evans (R)
EDGE is the most stable yet unstable room in Nashville, as the depth is perilously thin. Depending on how the league-wide second-round holdout calamity works out, Oladejo could be missing out on crucial development time. His roster spot isn’t in jeopardy by any means, but the trend is concerning for a team already lacking premier options. Nothing new to see here, folks. The depth chart is what it is at this point, barring any more trades or trawling the waiver wire done by Mike Borgonzi and company.
Inside Linebacker (5)
- Cody Barton
- Cedric Gray
- James Williams
- Anfernee Orji
- Otis Reese IV
Contenders: Amari Burney, David Gbenda (R), Curtis Jacobs
One inside linebacker spot is locked down concretely by big-ticket signing Cody Barton. The hierarchy behind him needs to be settled, however. Gray and Williams are second-year players who are competing for the other starting spot. If there are ambitious betters out there, Orji could be a low-risk gamble on making the team due to his connection to Nashville. The last ILB slot goes to incumbent Reese, but his current projection is precarious given the expected competitive ferocity of Jacobs, Gbenda, and Burney. Tennessee could kick the tires on veteran help if the youth don’t make the leaps like they are projected to do.
Cornerback (5)
- L’Jarius Sneed
- Roger McCreary
- Jarvis Brownlee, Jr
- Darrell Baker, Jr
- Marcus Harris (R)
Contenders: Gabe Jeudy-Lally, Jalen Kimber (R), Amani Oruwaryie, Jermari Harris (R), Clarence Lewis (R), Davion Ross (R)
The top four cornerback slots are locked in, barring injury and off-field issues that plague Sneed. JBJ endured a positive rookie campaign but had some growing pains. Baker, Jr, provided admirable service as the team floundered to the top selection in the draft. Marcus Harris fends off a cabal of numerous undrafted rookies and veterans in this pre-camp roster projection. Still, there’s enough potential for a sneaky play for a roster spot by one of the young cornerbacks. Tennessee will undoubtedly sign several corners that they like to the practice squad. Veterans like GJL and Oruwariye provide stiff resistance in arguably the fiercest competition for roster spots on the Titans.
Safety (4)
- Xavier Woods
- Amani Hooker
- Kevin Winston, Jr
- Mike Brown
Contenders: Julius Wood, Kendall Brooks, Mark Perry
There aren’t any new updates to the safety position other than the lamentations of former Titans safety Quandre Diggs about Hooker not making ESPN’s top safety list. Winston appears to be on track to participate in training camp as he recovers from a 2024 ACL injury. Tennessee is a franchise with a propensity to be overly cautious with injuries, so Winston could be brought along slowly. Brown continues to be the favorite to win the last safety spot in the Titans’ camp roster projection derby.
Special Teams
K: Joey Slye
P: Johnny Hekker
LS: Morgan Cox
Tennessee is taking a rather substantive risk in not providing special-teams coordinator John Fassel some additional competition for his current charges. Slye, while significantly younger than former Titans kicker Nick Folk, is slightly less accurate. Hekker is a Fassel acolyte who hasn’t seen his best days since the early part of the previous decade. Cox returns for a fifth season in two-toned blue. Let’s hope that the trio got together in the offseason and practiced their craft.
Offense Total: 26
Defense Total: 24
ST Total: 3
Main Image: Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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