NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans open the 2021 NFL regular season against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 12 at Nissan Stadium. Tennessee finished the 2020 season with an 11-5 record, good enough to win the AFC South division title. They've reached the playoffs in back-to-back seasons including an appearance in the AFC Championship Game two years ago.
After releasing wide receivers Adam Humphries and letting Corey Davis leave via free agency, the Titans traded for star wideout Julio Jones from the Atlanta Falcons. But relatively unknown receivers Marcus Johnson, Mason Kinsey and Chester Rogers have been the most consistent performers. Was it enough to make the final roster?
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection:
QUARTERBACK (2): Ryan Tannehill, Logan Woodside
Tannehill and new offensive coordinator Todd Downing are working toward creating the QB/playcaller synergy that is essential to a successful offense. Woodside has found a way to stick as the backup quarterback despite a strong push by Matt Barkley who came into camp a week after it started.
RUNNING BACK (4): Derrick Henry, Darrynton Evans, Jeremy McNichols, Khari Blasingame (FB)
Henry continues to be the focal point of the offense and should get over 300 carries for the third consecutive season. Finding a back to complement Henry is an ongoing task with Evans sidelined due to a knee injury in the first preseason game. McNichols started camp late but became a player the Titans staff liked to use on third downs last season. Preseason darling Mehki Sargent made a valiant effort to make the roster and should end up on the practice squad.
WIDE RECEIVERS (7): A.J. Brown, Julio Jones, Josh Reynolds, Dez Fitzpatrick, Chester Rogers, Marcus Johnson, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
Brown started camp on fire and showed why he is poised to establish himself as a top wideout in the NFL. Trading for Jones made the receiver group one of the league's best but Jones has been out for extensive time. That opened the door for Johnson and Roberts to get more reps. Both players have earned Tannehill's trust by making difficult catches in coverage. Despite having a solid camp, Kinsey just missed the cut but should land on the practice squad.
TIGHT END (4): Anthony Firkser, Geoff Swaim, Luke Stocker, Tommy Hudson
Tennessee's biggest loss was the departure of 2020 starter Jonnu Smith. Firkser isn't listed as the starter on the unofficial depth chart but he'll get the most targets out of the tight ends. Stocker sticks on as a hybrid H-back that can be utilized as a blocker in the run game. Keeping four tight ends makes sense in this case but they need to find who will help out in the passing game besides Firkser.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Taylor Lewan, Rodger Saffold, Ben Jones, Nate Davis, Kendall Lamm, Ty Sambrailo, Dillon Radunz, David Quessenberry, Aaron Brewer
The left side of the line is in great shape with Saffold and Lewan in place. Jones and Davis had solid seasons last year. But, the right tackle spot remains a mystery. Second-round pick Dillon Radunz was supposed to be in the competition for the spot but he's lining up more at guard than anywhere else. The starting spot comes down to Lamm, Sambrailo or Quessenberry.
DEFENSIVE LINE (5): Jeffery Simmons, Denico Autry, Teair Tart, Larrell Murchison, Anthony Rush
Simmons has emerged as a leader on defense in his third season. Adding Autry gives the Titans another rugged, aggressive defensive lineman. Tart made tremendous strides heading into his second NFL season and should be the starting nose tackle. Murchison and Rush give the Titans young options to rotate into the game in various situations.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (6): Bud Dupree, Harold Landry, Derick Roberson, Rashad Weaver, John Simon, Ola Adeniyi
Last year the Titans only fielded three outside linebackers for most of their games. They could easily have up to six of them on game day this season. Dupree surprisingly made his debut in camp after suffering a torn ACL in December when he was with the Steelers. Landry's search for a second pass-rushing move to complement his speed off the edge continues. Roberson is healthy after missing most of last season. Weaver is a player they're using as an edge rusher in addition to lining up inside.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (4): Rashaan Evans, Jayon Brown, David Long Jr., Monty Rice
Brown and Evans will be the tandem on base defense. Both players are in a contract year. Long has found his way onto the field in sub-packages and is expected to help strengthen the Titans' third-down defense.
CORNERBACK (6): Jackrabbit Jenkins, Kristian Fulton, Caleb Farley, Elijah Molden, Breon Borders, Chris Jackson
Jenkins is clearly the leader of the cornerback group. He says it's his job to take younger guys like Farley under his wing and show them veteran tips. Fulton is the likely starter at right corner. The competition for nickel DB is a fierce one with Molden and Jackson duking it out.
SAFETY (3): Kevin Byard, Amani Hooker, Matthias Farley
Byard and Hooker are the new Titans safety duo. Hooker enters the season as the starter for the first time in his career. Farley makes the squad as the third safety and a special teams ace. An injury to Dane Cruikshank allowed Farley to get more snaps and catch the eyes of the coaching staff.
SPECIALIST (3): Sam Ficken, Brett Kern, Morgan Cox
The Titans hope Ficken's long-distance success in practice and preseason games carries over to the regular season. Ficken drilled a 58-yard field goal against the Buccaneers which seemed to solidify his spot on the roster. Cox comes to Tennessee after being voted first-team All-Pro last season as a long snapper. Kern returns for his 13th season with the Titans. He's the team's longest-tenured player.