The Titans wrapped up a 3-1 preseason with a win over the Dolphins Thursday night. Now comes the tough part for General Manager Jon Robinson and head coach Mike Mularkey.
After a preseason that was as competitive as any that I've seen since covering the Titans, they have to make 22 cuts to trim the roster down to the 53-man regular season limit by Saturday's 3pm deadline.
Here's my best guess on how the roster will look.
QUARTERBACK (2)
- Starter: Marcus Mariota
- Backups: Matt Cassel
Mariota had a good enough preseason that Mularkey elected to not even bother playing him in the finale in Miami. In just his second season, he's emerged as the team's true leader on the field. The Titans like Alex Tanney, but two interceptions Thursday didn't help his cause to make the team. My guess is they hope Tanney clears waivers and can be signed to the practice squad while they keep the veteran Cassel.
RUNNING BACK (5)
- Starter: DeMarco Murray
- Backups: Derrick Henry, Dexter McCluster, Antonio Andrews, Jalston Fowler
Murray has been exactly what the Titans hoped he would be after acquiring him in a trade with the Eagles. The 2014 NFL rushing showed he still has his burst with a 71-yard touchdown run against the Chargers, and has provided valuable leadership. A second round draft pick, Henry, is a bruising back that has shown the ability to run through tackles and run away from defenders in the preseason providing the Titans a dynamic one-two punch. McCluster is a bit of a specialist, but the coaching staff loves him. I envision they will try to get him 6-8 touches a game as a punt returner and on handoffs and throws. Andrews has been the most consistent of the other backs and a strong special teams performer. His two TD performance against the Dolphins didn't hurt, either. Fowler is a good fullback (for whatever that's worth in the NFL these days) and provides value on special teams.
WIDE RECEIVER (6)
- Starters: Rishard Matthews, Tajae Sharpe, Kendall Wright
- Backups: Andre Johnson, Harry Douglas, Tre McBride
Sharpe has been the revelation of the preseason for the Titans. The rookie fifth round pick has caught everything in sight in practice and games. Matthews caught more balls in Miami last year before getting hurt than any Titans receiver did. Wright's still ailing hamstring is a concern, but he should be healthy for the regular season. Johnson and Douglas are true professionals that provide leadership and consistency. I think McBride makes the team more for his work on special teams as a gunner and possible kickoff returner, but his 67-yard receiving performance in Miami should've helped.
TIGHT END (3)
- Starter: Delanie Walker
- Backups: Anthony Fasano, Phillip Supernaw
Walker won't likely match his 94 catch, 1,000 yards receiving from a year ago, but the Pro Bowler will be a top option in this offense. Fasano is a solid pass catcher and run blocker for the Titans favored two tight end sets. Supernaw is a big, athletic young player that has proven he can catch the ball this preseason. He still commits too many penalties, but is a big contributor on special teams which should secure his spot.
OFFENSIVE LINE: (9)
- Starters: Taylor Lewan, Quinton Spain, Ben Jones, Chance Warmack, Jack Conklin
- Backups: Dennis Kelly, Brian Schwenke, Sebastian Tretola, Jeremiah Poutasi
Spain earning the left guard position solidifies what the Titans believe will be a much improved offensive line. The signing of the free agent Jones gives them a veteran to anchor the line at center while eighth overall pick Conklin has impressed in early returns at right tackle. Lewan and Warmack have both been praised for elevating their games as well. The gigantic Kelly provides depth and the ability to play four positions, Schwenke is the backup center but also can play guard, and the coaches are impressed with Tretola's physicality. Poutasi's borderline, but is still young and raw so it's probably too soon to give up on him.
DEFENSIVE LINE (7)
- Starters: Jurrell Casey, Al Woods, DaQuan Jones
- Backups: Karl Klug, Angelo Blackson, Antwaun Woods, Austin Johnson
Coming off his first Pro Bowl appearance, Casey anchors a solid defensive line alongside space eaters Al Woods and Jones. An undrafted free agent, Antwaun Woods has been very impressive in camp while Johnson was one of the team's second round draft picks. Blackson is a big, physical run stopper while Klug is just a football player that probably doesn't get enough credit for the role he's played on defense and special teams since arriving in Tennessee.
LINEBACKERS (8)
- Starters: Brian Orakpo, Derrick Morgan, Avery Williamson, Wesley Woodyard
- Backups: Kevin Dodd, David Bass, Sean Spence, Nate Palmer
The Titans got a glimpse of the threat Orakpo and Morgan could be as opposite side pass rushers before Morgan injured his shoulder last year, and are hoping for a healthy season for that duo. Williamson is an emerging star that led the team in tackles last season while Woodyard provides a veteran leader who is a perfect inside backer in the 3-4. Once he gets healthy, Dodd figures to be a pass rushing specialist. The play of Bass, Spence and Palmer this preseason demonstrates why the Titans believe they now have quality depth at the linebacker position.
DEFENSIVE BACKS (10)
- Starters: Jason McCourty, Perrish Cox, Da'Norris Searcy, Rashad Johnson
- Backups: Brice McCain, Antwon Blake, Kevin Byard, Daimion Stafford, LeShaun Sims, Cody Riggs
With Cox back from an ankle injury that sidelined him for two weeks in training camp and McCourty fully recovered from the groin surgery that ended his 2015 season, Mularkey can't wait to finally have his top two cornerbacks on the field together. The Titans have high hopes for the rookie Byard, but I don't see him unseating Johnson as a starter at Safety (at least yet) next to Searcy. The additions of McCain and Blake give the Titans quality corners for their nickel and dime packages while Stafford is a heavy hitter which fits in well with the team's proffered physical style of play.
SPECIALISTS (3)
- Starters: Ryan Succop, Brent Kern, Beau Brinkley
These three jobs are pretty much locked in. All three are veterans that have performed well throughout their careers.
