After a hectic few months, the whirlwind offseason process is finally slowing down for new GM Mike Borgonzi and company. While the front office can take a break to relax, the work is ramping up for the coaching staff as OTAs and minicamps loom. It’s a great time to take stock of the current roster and project the 53-man roster. Which rookie undrafted free agents can make this initial offseason Tennessee Titans roster projection? Will it be a veteran-laden roster around the young franchise passer?

Tennessee Titans Roster Projection: The Offseason Edition
Offense
May 10, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) throws a pass as he goes through drills during Rookie Mini Camp at Saint Thomas Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Quarterback (3)

Cam Ward (R)
Will Levis
Brandon Allen

Contender: Tim Boyle

The winds of change swept through Nashville as Tennessee’s quarterback room, as Cam Ward comes to town to supplant Will Levis as the starter. Barring a trade, it’s likely that the embattled Levis will remain on the team. This roster projection has veterans Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle duking it out for third place. It could be that Tennessee will keep only two quarterbacks on the active roster and place the third on the practice squad.

Running Back (3)

Tony Pollard
Tyjae Spears
Kalel Mullings (R)

Contenders: Micah Bernard (R) and Julius Chestnut

Tennessee uses three running backs instead of the traditional four that most teams have on their rosters. Pollard and Spears return as the key cogs of the offense, while rookie Mullings earns a spot. UDFA Micah Bernard will compete alongside veteran Julius Chestnut for a potential fourth running back spot. The Titans will undoubtedly search the waiver wire and free agency for additional help.

Wide Receiver (7)

Calvin Ridley
Van Jefferson
Tyler Lockett
Elic Ayomanor (R)
Chimere Dike (R)
Bryce Oliver
Xavier Restrepo (R)

Contenders: James Proche II, Treylon Burks, Jha’Quan Jackson, and TJ Sheffield

After witnessing the horrors of a depleted receiver room that erred on the side of a sordid history, Brian Callahan wanted an improved group. GM Mike Borgonzi delivered key veterans like Tyler Lockett and several youngsters through the draft process. In this roster projection, the Treylon Burks saga comes to an end. Tennessee could carry seven receivers, including undrafted free agent Xavier Restrepo. The competition for the last two or three spots will be fierce between several contenders like Proche, Sheffield, and 2024 draft pick Jha’Quan Jackson. Special teams ability could decide things.

Tight End (3)

Chig Okonkwo
Josh Whyle
Gunnar Helm (R)

Contenders: Thomas Odukoya, Drake Dabney, and David Martin-Robinson

Tight end wasn’t nearly as much of a position of weakness as receiver was, but the group stood to gain some upgrades. In comes the rookie from Texas, Gunnar Helm, who will help bolster Chig Okonkwo and Josh Whyle. There will be stiff competition for a potential fourth spot between blockers like Odukoya and DMR. Drake Dabney was signed after a successful tryout in the rookie minicamp earlier this month.

Offensive Tackle (4)

Dan Moore, Jr
JC Latham
Oli Udoh
Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson (R)

Contenders: Jaelyn Duncan and John Ojukwu

Not much has changed since the end of the first wave of free agency, but Tennessee should scour the waiver wire and free agency for additional tackle help. Moore and Latham are the entrenched starters. Veteran Oli Udoh and rookie free agent signee BCD make the team over holdovers John Ojukwu and Jaelyn Duncan. It will be an interesting battle for spots on the back end of the tackle depth chart. Like his former colleague Nicholas Petit-Frere, Duncan struggled during his time in the league.

Guard (4)

Peter Skoronski
Kevin Zeitler
Blake Hance
Jackson Slater (R)

Contenders: Andrew Rupchich and Brendan Jaimes

Tennessee beefed up its interior by investing significant resources in signing old warhorse Kevin Zeitler this offseason. Former first-round selection Peter Skoronski remains on the left side for the foreseeable future. Hance makes the roster as a Bill Callahan acolyte. 2025 sixth-round selection Slater also joins him as a swing guard/center piece. 2025 free agent Brendan Jaimes and holdover Rupchich are missing out after a competition that stretches into camp.

Center (2)

Lloyd Cushenberry
Sam Mustipher

Contender: Corey Levin

Levin is the odd man out for the center position as he lacks the starting experience or versatility that Mustipher, a recent addition, does. Cushenberry may relinquish his starting role as he recovers from an Achilles injury suffered last season.

Defense
IDL (5)

Jeffery Simmons
T’Vondre Sweat
Sebastian Joseph-Day
Keondre Coburn
Devonte O’Malley (R)

Contenders: James Lynch, Cam Horsley (R), Isaiah Raikes (R), and Phillip Blidi (R)

The interior lineman position is settled for the most part, with one or two battles yet to be decided. Keondre Coburn’s job could be in danger if one of the undrafted rookie signings takes it from him. There is a lot of talent in the group, but the three names to watch are O’Malley, Horsley, and Raikes. Positional versatility will determine a lot about how many IDLs Tennessee keeps.

EDGE (5)

Arden Key
Dre’Mont Jones
Oluwafemi Oladejo (R)
Lorenzo Carter
Jaylen Harrell

Contenders: Titus Leo, Ali Gaye, Carlos Watkins, and Desmond Evans

Key is the leader of an EDGE room that desperately needs a talent infusion, as the depth seems lacking in this Titans roster projection. Three spots are already spoken for, either by draft slot (Oladejo) or free agency contract (Jones). Where it gets hairy is the back end, where five players could be fighting for two spots. On a one-year deal, Carter is a veteran linebacker, while Harrell has shown flashes. Watkins could make a run at a roster spot as a veteran with some versatility. Tennessee will likely continue to churn the waiver wire for a name or two as the offseason progresses.

Inside Linebacker (5)

Cody Barton
Cedric Gray
James Williams
Anferenee Orji
David Gbenda (R)

Contenders: Curtis Jacobs, Otis Reese IV, and Amari Burney

After Barton’s signing, the depth of the inside linebacker position is a dicey proposition. The front office has kicked the tires on a few veterans to boost the competition level. It will be one position to watch as the team heads into the summer and fall. Gbenda signed as an undrafted free agent, so he’ll have to play lights out to make the team. Gray and Williams will likely make the roster as rising sophomore draft selections. Earlier this month, Orji was claimed on waivers and is a Vanderbilt alumnus. Burney has experience as well and has ties to Titans executive Dave Ziegler while both were with the Raiders. Reese IV is a holdover who probably won’t make the team.

Cornerback (5)

L’Jarius Sneed
Jarvis Brownlee, Jr
Darrell Baker
Roger McCreary
Amani Oruwariye

Contenders: Jermari Harris (R), Marcus Harris (R), Jalen Kimber (R), Clarence Lewis (R), Davion Ross (R), and Gabe Jeudy-Lally

Besides wide receiver, the cornerback room is the most in transition, as numerous changes have occurred since the offseason began. The competition for CB5 and CB6 will be one of the fiercest in the league, with multiple new faces vying for spots. It isn’t the most stable position group in this Tennessee Titans roster projection, as further changes could be in the offing. Five rookies were drafted late (Marcus Harris) or signed as UDFA; a couple could make the team. Veteran Amani Oruwariye gets the nod in this projection due to familiarity with special-teams coach John Fassel. Expect several to make the practice squad in the fall.

Safety (4)

Xavier Woods
Amani Hooker
Kevin Winston, Jr (R)
Mike Brown

Contenders: Julius Wood, Kendall Brooks, and Mark Perry

The safety position is locked up, with only one spot looming as a position battle. Brown has the inside track to win the job over Wood, Brooks, and Perry. The caveat is that Winston could open training camp on the PUP list as the team manages his load returning from a partially torn ACL last season in college. Not much to see here, folks, but we could see some roster churn at the position.

Special Teams

K: Joey Slye

P: Johnny Hekker

LS: Morgan Cox

Tennessee’s special teams battery has experienced significant turnover, as two-thirds of the operation will be brand new. The fresh outlook involves the players on the field and the coaching staff, who have gotten a new, more accomplished coat of paint. Joey Slye takes over for the departed Titans’ fan favorite Nick Folk while veteran Johnny Hekker replaces Ryan Stonehouse. Only long snapper Morgan Cox returns, so it will take some time to get the timing right between the trio.

Offense Total: 26 

Defense Total: 24

Special Teams Total: 3

Main Photo: [George Walker IV/Tennessean.com] – USA Today Sports