NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans open the 2023 NFL regular season at the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 10 at Caesars Superdome.
The Titans' roster gained a significant boost after signing wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins just before training camp. Hopkins should help improve Tennessee's passing game, which finished with only 3,222 passing yards last season, the 29th worst in the league.
The defense figures to be one of the top units in the NFL with the additions of linebackers Azeez Al-Shaair and Arden Key along with the return of pass-rusher Harold Landry III, who missed all of last year after suffering a season-ending injury in his right knee.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection for the Titans:
QUARTERBACK (3): Ryan Tannehill, Malik Willis, Will Levis
Tannehill will be the starter. But Willis, in his second year, and the rookie Levis are battling for the backup spot. Willis showed improvement during minicamp after finishing 1-2 as the starter when Tannehill was injured. He'll need to convince the Titans to carry a third quarterback on the roster. Levis needs to keep getting acclimated and work on his passing touch. But he's excelled in the red zone during camp. His roster spot is guaranteed after being the No. 33 overall pick in April.
RUNNING BACK (3): Derrick Henry, Tyjae Spears, Julius Chestnut
This could be the last dance for Henry, who's in the final year of his contract. Spears has been a preseason standout with his explosiveness, along with his pass-catching ability. The rookie will be a perfect complement to Henry and see plenty of game action on third downs. Chestnut rounds out the group after another strong preseason. At 5-foot-11, 228 pounds, Chestnut's running style is similar to former Jaguars and Chargers big back Natrone Means.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): DeAndre Hopkins, Treylon Burks, Chris Moore, Kyle Philips, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Kearis Jackson
The receiver group was unproven before Hopkins was added. Hopkins immediately becomes Tannehill's most reliable pass catcher, especially on back-shoulder throws. At 31 years old, Hopkins gives Burks a veteran to learn from. Burks showed flashes as a rookie last season and is the most talented of the group. Philips has packed on some weight to make himself more sturdy as a slot receiver. He'll get plenty of targets in third-down situations, but he did suffer an MCL sprain in the second preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. That injury could cause Philips to miss 4-6 weeks. Expect Mason Kinsey to make the roster if he starts on injured reserve. Westbrook-Ikhine's versatility will secure a roster spot. Moore can play all receiver spots and figures to be in the rotation. Jackson gives the Titans another slot option and returner while Philips works his way back from a knee injury.
TIGHT END (4): Chigoziem Okonkwo, Trevon Wesco, Josh Whyle, Kevin Rader
Okonwko could see a huge increase from the 37% of snaps he played as a rookie last season. He'll be one of Tannehill's preferred targets. Wesco will be a key blocker for the rushing attack after serving the same role for the Chicago Bears last season. At 6-6, Whyle is an intriguing option in the red zone and should be packaged with Okonkwo. Not carrying a fullback opens a spot for Rader as an H-back.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Daniel Brunskill, Peter Skoronski, Andre Dillard, Aaron Brewer, Jaelyn Duncan, Chris Hubbard, Corey Levin, Jordan Roos, Justin Murray
The offensive line has gradually worked its way into a finished product. No position faced more turnover on the roster. Dillard takes over at left tackle while Skoronski, the No. 11 overall pick this year, settled in at left guard. Brewer moved from guard to center and has had a solid camp. Brunksill is a veteran player who will help protect the pocket from the inside out. The big question mark is at right guard. Hubbard has been the starter, but Murray and Duncan are also options.
DEFENSIVE LINE (5): Jeffery Simmons, Teair Tart, Naquan Jones, Jayden Peevy, Sam Okuayinonu
The defensive line is the strongest unit on Tennessee's roster. Simmons has cemented himself as a premier interior defender. He'll line up in multiple spots up front. Tart is looking to improve as a pass-rusher in hopes of landing a new deal. He played up and down the line last season. Jones and Okuayinonu return as rotational pieces.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (5): Harold Landry III, Denico Autry, Arden Key, Rashad Weaver, Caleb Murphy
Landry is still on the mend after missing last season. His return bolsters the pass rush and run defense. Key impacts games as an outside backer, defensive end, or interior player. He'll get an increased role after being in a rotation with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season. Autry offers similar versatility as a lineman or outside linebacker. Weaver can play multiple spots as well. Murphy rounds out the group as an undrafted free agent. He has progressed well throughout training camp and now looks like he belongs.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (5): Azeez Al-Shaair, Monty Rice, Chance Campbell, Jack Gibbens, Luke Gifford
Al-Shaair's effectiveness in pass coverage and ability to fly to ball carriers helps make up for the loss of David Long Jr. to free agency. Gibbens will likely get the first crack at opening the season as the starter. He always finds his way to the football. Rice was supposed to be the starter but solid play from Gibbens and injuries have changed the plan. Campbell will be a rotational player along with Gifford. They'll be core special teams players also.
CORNERBACK (5): Kristian Fulton, Roger McCreary, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Tre Avery, Eric Garror
Caleb Farley's back injury landed him on injured reserve last November and likely forces him to start this season on the PUP list. Fulton focused his offseason training on avoiding soft-tissue injuries and has turned in a stellar performance in camp. He'll battle with McCreay and free agent addition Murphy-Bunting for the outside starting spots. McCreary also doubles as a nickel corner. Avery provides depth on the outside. Garror's feisty, aggressive approach to corner allows him to play much bigger than his 5-8, 174-pound frame would suggest. He also doubles as a punt returner.
SAFETY (5): Kevin Byard, Amani Hooker, Elijah Molden, Mike Brown, Shyheim Carter
Byard and Hooker form one of the best safety duos in the league. Hooker missed eight games last season. It all doesn't fall on the secondary, but having Hooker in the lineup for a full season would help improve the Titans' 32nd-ranked pass defense. Molden gives depth at nickel and safety. Brown was a surprise standout during camp and showed he can be a special teams player and force against the run. Carter can play safety and nickel corner. But he'll also help on special teams.
SPECIALISTS (3): Michael Badgley (K); Ryan Stonehouse (P); Morgan Cox (LS)
The Titans haven't had a consistent kicker since a pre-injury Ryan Succop. The Titans cut kickers Trey Wolff and Caleb Shudak before the final preseason game and added Badgely. But don't be surprised if the Titans sign someone else to be their kicker after roster cutdowns. Stonehouse is a mainstay after setting punting records last season. Cox is a lock at long snapper after being compared to a jugs machine by special teams coach Craig Aukerman.