The Tennessee Titans open the 2022 NFL regular season against the New York Giants on Sept. 11 at Nissan Stadium.
The Titans managed to get younger at various positions but still kept most of their core players in the mix, allowing Tennessee to remain a favorite to win the AFC South again.
The Titans have 17 of 22 starters returning from last season. The defense is pretty much the same except for a new starter at one of the cornerback spots because of Jackrabbit Jenkins' release back in March. There will be four new starters on offense, including right tackle and left guard, along with two wide receiver spots.
Trading A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles created a huge void in the passing attack, but the Titans will likely take a committee approach to replace Brown's production.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection:
QUARTERBACK (2): Ryan Tannehill, Malik Willis
Tannehill looks to redeem himself after a disappointing end to last season in the playoffs. The veteran quarterback looked sharp in training camp and has already established a connection with his new cast of pass-catchers. Willis showed enough to beat out Logan Woodside. His progression was evident each week of the preseason. The coaching staff wanted Willis to focus on staying in a clean pocket and go through his progressions rather than running when he doesn't have to. Woodside becomes a good candidate for the practice squad.
RUNNING BACK (4): Derrick Henry, Dontrell Hilliard, Hassan Haskins, Tory Carter (FB)
Henry returns to the lineup ready to show that he is still one of the top backs in the game. His workload was carefully managed during training camp with the hopes that it would keep him fresh for the season. Hilliard got most of the first-team reps and emerged as a viable option on third downs, especially with his receiving ability out of the backfield. Haskins quickly proved to be a physical back who can be relied upon in pass protection and catching the ball out of the backfield. Carter takes over at fullback and can line up at tight end.
WIDE RECEIVERS (6): Robert Woods, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Treylon Burks, Dez Fitzpatrick, Racey McMath, Kyle Phillips
Woods has gotten himself to a point where it's now an expectation for him to play in the season opener despite tearing an ACL in November. Westbrook-Ikhine has made plays throughout training camp and can play all three receiver spots. Burks overcame early struggles and figures to be a large part of the passing game. McMath emerged as a deep threat while Philips has become one of Tannehill's favorite targets, especially on third downs.
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 who can line up everywhere and present favorable matchups. Look for Okonkwo to be a significant threat in the red zone.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Taylor Lewan, Aaron Brewer, Ben Jones, Nate Davis, Nicholas Petit-Frere, Dillon Radunz, Corey Levin, Jamarco Jones, Jordan Roos
Lewan, Jones and Davis return as starters. Brewer quickly snatched the left guard spot despite being somewhat undersized at 290 pounds. Petit-Frere and Radunz are competing for the right tackle spot, but Radunz could also be in the mix at left guard. Levin and Jones bring versatility to the back end of the depth chart. Roos can fill in at guard.
DEFENSIVE LINE (5): Jeffery Simmons, Denico Autry, Teair Tart, DeMarcus Walker, Naquan Jones
Simmons and Autry make the front four a menacing pass-rush group that can also stop the run. Tart is an underrated run-stopper and has cemented a role in the defensive line rotation. Jones has gone from a 2021 undrafted free agent to rotational player. Walker seems to have found a home in Tennessee after struggling in stints with the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (4): Bud Dupree, Harold Landry, Rashad Weaver, Ola Adeniyi
Landry and Dupree are the headliners of the outside linebacker group. But keep an eye on Weaver, whose relentless style has led to several big plays for the defense in the preseason. Adeniyi wanted to be more than a special teams player when he signed with the Titans last season. He has carved out a role as a situational pass-rusher.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (5): David Long Jr., Zach Cunningham, Monty Rice, Dylan Cole, Chance Campbell
Long and Cunningham give the Titans two rangy defenders to man the second level of the defense. 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 when he returns. Cole and Campbell are depth pieces who will probably be special teams contributors.
CORNERBACK (6): Kristian Fulton, Caleb Farley, Elijah Molden, Roger McCreary, Chris Jackson, Greg Mabin
Fulton has one of the starting spots locked down. Farley and McCreary will share playing time on the other side. Molden remains the top nickel corner despite a heavy push from McCreary. Jackson's versatility lands him on the roster. Mabin plays mostly on the outside but could also help on special teams.
SAFETY (6): Kevin Byard, Amani Hooker, Theo Jackson, A.J. Moore, Lonnie Johnson Jr., Ugo Amadi
Byard re-established himself as one of the best safeties in the game. Hooker could challenge for a Pro Bowl nod and may get an occasional opportunity as a punt returner. Jackson and Johnson will compete for the third safety spot 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. A late trade brought Amadi into the mix. He'll give them versatility at both safety and cornerback.
SPECIALISTS (3): Randy Bullock, Brett Kern, Morgan Cox
Bullock returns after signing a two-year, $4.68 million deal. Kern returns for another year after experiencing fierce competition with rookie Ryan Stonehouse. Cox's name wasn't mentioned much, if at all last year. That's always a good thing for the long-snapper.