The Tennessee Titans finished the 2019 season with a 9-7 record and made a deep playoff run to the AFC Championship Game. Tennessee has plenty of continuity with 19 out of 22 starters returning along with coach Mike Vrabel, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and special teams coach Craig Aukerman. The Titans should be a contender for the AFC South division title. With cuts set for 4 p.m. ET Saturday, here's a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACK (2): Ryan Tannehill, Trevor Siemian
Tannehill was the best match for Smith's scheme so he was brought back on a four-year, $118 million deal. At one point, it looked like Logan Woodside would be the backup quarterback. But midway through camp, rookie Cole McDonald was released and the Titans signed Siemian, a six-year veteran, to add much-needed experience to the quarterback room. Siemian's 25 career starts gets him the nod over Woodside who is yet to play a down in a regular-season game.
RUNNING BACK (2): Derrick Henry, Darrynton Evans
Henry has proved to be the catalyst of the offense. He'll get plenty of carries and possibly see an increased role in the passing game. If Henry doesn't improve upon his 24 third-down snaps last season, Evans could emerge as a third-down back. Only carrying two running backs could be a risk, but having a versatile player like Khari Blasingame gives the Titans some roster flexibility.
FULLBACK (1): Khari Blasingame
Blasingame is a bruising blocker who offers help as a viable option in the passing game. The Titans could get Blassingame some carries in certain situations as well.
WIDE RECEIVERS (6): A.J. Brown, Corey Davis, Adam Humphries, Kalif Raymond, Rashard Davis, Cody Hollister
The top three receivers are set with Brown, Davis and Humphries playing prominent roles. Raymond has established himself as a potential deep threat and figures to have earned himself an opportunity to build off last season (9 catches, 170 yards, 1TD). Rashard Davis makes it as a returner on special teams. Hollister rounds out the group as a player who adds size (6-foot-4) and solid pass catching along the boundary to help fill the role vacated by Tajae Sharpe, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
TIGHT END (3): Jonnu Smith, Anthony Firkser, MyCole Pruitt
Jonnu Smith is the player most likely to experience a breakout season for the Titans. Having his former tight ends coach (Arthur Smith) as the offensive coordinator helps his chances. After posting a team-high two touchdowns in the postseason last year, Firkser will continue to be a key contributor in the passing game with Pruitt serving primarily as a blocking option.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Taylor Lewan, Rodger Saffold, Ben Jones, Nate Davis, Dennis Kelly, Isaiah Wilson, David Quessenberry, Ty Sambrailo, Jamil Douglas
The Titans have plenty of depth on the offensive line after using a first-round pick on Wilson and adding the veteran Sambrailo. They return four starters with Dennis Kelly filling in for the departed Jack Conklin. Kelly started four games last season. David Quessenberry and Jamil Douglas provide additional depth. Quessenberry will likely be the tackle eligible when the Titans want to employ a jumbo package. Maybe Quessenberry and Kelly can haul in a touchdown pass like they did last season -- big guys can score too!
DEFENSIVE LINE (6): Jeffery Simmons, DaQuan Jones, Jack Crawford, Isaiah Mack, Matt Dickerson, Larrell Murchison
The spotlight will be on Simmons to step up as a force on the defensive line, who has lost some weight in the offseason and has shined during camp. Jones will continue to be an anchor, especially on first and second downs.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (5): Harold Landry, Vic Beasley, Kamalei Correa, D'Andre Walker, Derick Roberson
The Titans will call on Landry and Beasley to lead the pass rush. Don't be surprised if Landry's snap count is scaled back mostly during early downs. OLB coach Shane Bowen attributed Landry's decline in sack production down the stretch last season to playing more snaps. That's where Correa and Walker come in; they could get more reps on earlier downs. Correa made a strong enough push in the final games last season to earn a four-year deal. Walker has gotten extensive work during camp and has caught the eye of the defensive staff.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (5): Rashaan Evans, Jayon Brown, David Long, Nick Dzubnar, Will Compton
Evans and Brown return for another season in the middle of the Titans' defense. Brown is one of the most defense's most versatile players and does a solid job covering tight ends and running backs in the passing game. Long is a capable backup who can fill in at either on the weak side or at middle linebacker in addition to being a special-teams standout.
CORNERBACK (7): Adoree' Jackson, Malcolm Butler, Johnathan Joseph, Kristian Fulton, Tye Smith, Josh Kalu, Chris Milton
Jackson played well enough toward the end of last season to influence the Titans to pick up the former first-round pick's fifth-year option. Butler's return to the lineup gives them a fierce competitor at right cornerback. Joseph provides a veteran presence and an additional player to line up on the outside. The rookie Fulton could play early snaps as a nickel corner. The rest of the guys will primarily be special-teams contributors.
SAFETY (4): Kevin Byard, Kenny Vaccaro, Amani Hooker, Dane Cruikshank
All four of the Titans' safeties are interchangeable. Byard and Vaccaro are one of the best safety duos in the league. Hooker quickly earned a role in nickel packages last season with the team and should get the chance to match up with tight ends at times. Cruikshank should get reps in dime packages, but his primary impact comes as a key special-teamer.
SPECIALIST (3): Greg Joseph, Brett Kern, Beau Brinkley
Joseph should hold off UDFA kicker Tucker McCann in the camp competition. Kern is a perennial Pro Bowl punter that former defensive coordinator Dean Pees jokingly called the 'MVP of the Defense' because of his ability to pin offenses deep in their own territory.