The fact that it’s even close is scathing statement enough.
The Tennessee Titans (1-9) are careening toward their second straight season as the NFL’s worst team. Plenty of factors play into this, ranging from wasted draft classes and bad free agent investments to a reliance on youth and the questionable coaching decisions that led to Brian Callahan’s ousting. The impossible factor to ignore, though, is just how many former Titans are chugging along successfully elsewhere.
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry and (sometimes embattled) Philadelphia Eagles receiver A.J. Brown are the poster children for this. But former Titans are starting at just about every position across the NFL. This is so true, that it’s possible to construct a full 53-man roster (minus a long snapper) using Titans cast-offs.
Here’s a look at what the former Titans roster would look like, compare it against the 53-man squad the Titans field in the present tense and try to determine whether the former Titans could beat today’s Titans head to head.
Former Titans roster: Full 53-man depth chartQuarterbacks: Marcus Mariota, Malik Willis, Mason RudolphRunning backs: Derrick Henry, Jeremy McNichols, Hassan HaskinsWide receivers: A.J. Brown, DeAndre Hopkins, Kalif Raymond, Chris Moore, Josh Reynolds, Nick Westbrook-IkhineTight ends: Jonnu Smith, Austin Hooper, Josh WhyleOffensive linemen: Jack Conklin, Kendall Lamm, Dillon Radunz, Daniel Brunskill, Aaron Brewer, David Quessenberry, Calvin Throckmorton, Xavier NewmanDefensive linemen: Teair Tart, DaQuan Jones, Denico Autry, Naquan Jones, Larrell MurchisonEdge defenders: Dre’Mont Jones, Harold Landry III, Bud Dupree, Trevis Gipson, Sam OkuayinonuLinebackers: Ernest Jones IV, Robert Spillane, Azeez Al-Shaair, Jack Gibbens, Kenneth Murray II, Jerome Baker, Luke Gifford, Jamal AdamsCornerbacks: Chidobe Awuzie, Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Roger McCreary, Kristian Fulton, Adoree’ Jackson, Kindle VildorSafeties: Kevin Byard, Elijah Molden, Quandre Diggs, Lonnie Johnson Jr.Specialists: Nick Folk, Ryan StonehousePosition-by-position edges
Quarterback: If we’re thinking long-term, Cam Ward is more valuable than any of these pieces. For one game, though, all three have looked better in the last two years than Ward has.
Running back: Henry gives the ex-Titans an edge on his own, but today’s Titans do have more depth.
Wide receiver: When fully healthy, it’s close. With Calvin Ridley, Elic Ayomanor and Bryce Oliver hurt, it’s a no-brainer for the exes.
Tight end: Let’s give today’s Titans the edge here. Chig Okonkwo and Gunnar Helm are both playing well when given opportunities.
Offensive line: The castoffs are castoffs for a reason here. Go with today’s Titans pretty decisively, even if today’s Titans aren’t all that dominant themselves.
Defensive line: Shockingly close here. Jeffery Simmons’ presence probably nudges today’s squad ahead, but guys like Tart, DaQuan Jones and Autry are all still handfuls.
Edge defenders: Maybe it’s a little unfair to put Dre’Mont Jones on this list given how recently he was traded away. But him and Landry would both start on today’s Titans. Exes get the edge.
Linebackers: That depth is crazy, especially when considering guys like Zach Cunningham and Garret Wallow wouldn’t make the team. Today’s Titans are getting by fine with Cedric Gray and Cody Barton, but that depth would be an upgrade.
Cornerbacks: A pretty big duh here. Awuzie’s experiencing a career renaissance, while McCreary and Brownlee began the season as starters in Nashville.
Safeties: Everyone misses Byard, and he’s on his way to another Pro Bowl type season. But today’s Titans earn the slightest of slight edges on depth.
Specialists: Folk continues to be one of the league’s most accurate kickers. Stonehouse isn’t in the league at all. Average that together and maybe we call it a push.
Final tally: Exes win by a score of 6-4-1. The tally flips to an even 5-5-1 if you prefer to give Ward the edge over Mariota, Willis and Rudolph.
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at  nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X @nicksuss. Subscribe to the Talkin’ Titans newsletter for updates sent directly to your inbox.