NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans open the season on Sept. 11 when they host the New York Giants.
The Titans finished the 2021 season with a 12-5 record, landing them as the top seed of the AFC. It was Tennessee's fourth consecutive season with at least nine wins under coach Mike Vrabel.
The biggest offseason move for the Titans happened on draft night when they traded star wide receiver A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles, where they drafted Treylon Burks in the first round to help solidify the passing game, along with the addition of veterans Austin Hooper and Robert Woods.
The defense remains intact for the most part with second-year cornerback Caleb Farley set to take a starting spot after Jackrabbit Jenkins was released.
Here's a look at the projection of the 53-man roster:
QUARTERBACK (3): Ryan Tannehill, Logan Woodside, Malik Willis
Tannehill is back for another season under center with the Titans and looked sharp during minicamp. He's looking for a bounce back year after a tough 2021 season. Titans general manager Jon Robinson used a third-round pick to get their quarterback of the future in Willis. Woodside will be the likely backup since the team is taking the gradual development approach to grooming Willis.
RUNNING BACK (5): Derrick Henry, Dontrell Hilliard, Hassan Haskins, Trenton Cannon, Tory Carter (FB)
There is some uncertainty after Henry, but the Titans believe they have strong options in Hilliard and Haskins. Hilliard probably takes on the third-down back role while Haskins is a very capable pass-catcher out of the backfield. Cannon will make a strong case for a roster spot because of his special teams ability. It was tough leaving Jordan Wilkins off the roster, but the Titans staff seems to be really high on Cannon as a gunner and kick returner. Carter takes over at fullback and he will play on special teams.
WIDE RECEIVERS (6): Robert Woods, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Treylon Burks, Dez Fitzpatrick, Racey McMath, Kyle Phillips
The receiver position has its share of questions. Woods made a remarkable return to the field for voluntary OTAs after tearing his left ACL in November. He'll be the veteran leader of a fairly inexperienced group. Burks has had a rocky start to his career because of complications associated with asthma. Westbrook-Ikhine is pretty much a lock to make the roster because of his versatility and special teams contributions. The rest of the spots are up for grabs. Fitzpatrick and McMath will compete with free-agent addition Josh Malone for a roster spot while Phillips figures to be in a battle with Mason Kinsey for the primary slot receiver role.
TIGHT END (3): Austin Hooper, Geoff Swaim, Chigoziem Okonkwo
The revamped tight end room will be a big part of the passing game. Hooper will likely get most of the targets and has already surfaced as one of Tannehill's preferred options in the passing game. Swaim is the blocking tight end. Okonkwo is an impressive rookie prospect who can line up everywhere and present favorable matchups. Tannehill, Woodside and Willis all went to Okonkwo with success frequently during minicamp. Briley Moore-McKinney has an outside chance to make the roster if the team decides to keep four tight ends.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Taylor Lewan, Jamarco Jones, Ben Jones, Nate Davis, Dillon Radunz, Aaron Brewer, Corey Levin, Nicholas Petit-Frere, Jalen McKenzie
Offensive line is where there's the biggest question on offense. Radunz appears likely to nail down the starting right tackle spot, but left guard remains in question. The versatility that Jones (T/G), Brewer (G/C) and Levin (G/C) bring allows the Titans to keep nine offensive lineman on the roster. McKenzie is an intriguing player who has a lot of upside at tackle and makes the roster as an undrafted free agent.
DEFENSIVE LINE (5): Jeffery Simmons, Denico Autry, Teair Tart, Larrell Murchison, Naquan Jones
Simmons and Autry make up a big part of the Titans' dominating front four. Tart is an underrated run stopper and has cemented a role in the defensive line rotation. Murchison and Jones could be challenged by undrafted free agent Haskell Garrett for a roster spot.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (4): Bud Dupree, Harold Landry, Rashad Weaver, Ola Adeniyi
Landry just signed a huge contract that brings him back, along with Dupree, to complete the outside linebacker portion of the Titans' front four. Dupree is looking to have a bigger impact this season since he will be at full health entering camp. Weaver impressed as a rookie in training camp last year before suffering a broken right fibula. Adeniyi will get reps at outside linebacker and remains one of the Titans' key special teams players.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (5): David Long Jr., Zach Cunningham, Monty Rice, Dylan Cole, Chance Campbell
Long and Cunningham form a violent sideline to sideline duo. Rice is working to return from an Achilles injury, but he'll lock down a spot in the rotation and see his share of playing time. Cole and Campbell are depth pieces that will probably be special teams contributors.
CORNERBACK (6): Kristian Fulton, Caleb Farley, Elijah Molden, Buster Skrine, Roger McCreary, Chris Jackson
Versatility is the calling card for the Titans' young cornerback room. Titans cornerbacks coach Anthony Midget likes having a group that can play on the inside and outside. Farley steps into a starting role opposite Fulton. Molden returns as the primary nickel corner. McCreary, Skrine and Jackson round out the group.
SAFETY (4): Kevin Byard, Amani Hooker, Theo Jackson, A.J. Moore
Byard and Hooker return as the starters. Hooker may get an occasional opportunity as a punt returner. Jackson figures to be the third safety that will be used in dime packages and to match up with tight ends. Moore can play some safety as well. He'll mostly be a special teams contributor.
SPECIALISTS (3): Randy Bullock, Brett Kern, Morgan Cox
Bullock returns after signing a two-year, $4.68 million deal. Kern remains one of the best punters in the league. Cox's name wasn't mentioned much, if at all, last year. That's always a good thing for the long-snapper.