Jason Wolf

USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee



Training camp doesn't begin until late July. Final cuts aren't due until early September. But who wants to wait for that?

With the bulk of free agency and the draft in the rear view, Titans beat reporter Jason Wolf projects the team’s 53-man roster and depth chart for the 2017 regular season.

Some observations and predictions:

The Titans’ roster will include nine rookies and eight newcomers via free agency. This assumes all nine recent draft picks make the team.

The Titans will feature at least five new starters, including four on defense and three in an overhauled secondary. This group includes free agent acquisitions in cornerback Logan Ryan, safety Johnathan Cyprien and nose tackle Sylvester Williams, and first-round draft picks in wide receiver Corey Davis and cornerback Adoree’ Jackson.

Depending on whether the Titans open in three-wide or two-tight end sets, it’s likely they have a sixth new starter in either rookie slot receiver Taywan Taylor or rookie tight end Jonnu Smith, both third-round picks.

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The starting offensive line remains unchanged. One of the more interesting free agent additions was Tim Lelito, who can play guard, center and tight end. Lelito and Sebastian Tretola, a sixth-round pick last year, should push incumbent starting guards Quinton Spain and Josh Kline in training camp. But it’s likely the Titans keep the starting five intact, absent Lelito or Tretola proving a significant improvement.

The Titans keep 10 offensive linemen, a product of entrenched starters, two versatile veterans acquired through trade (Dennis Kelly) and free agency (Lelito), and a desire to keep promising draft picks (Tretola, Corey Levin, Brad Seaton). Seaton, a seventh-round rookie, seems like the most logical cut among the group (and a likely practice squad member) if the Titans need a roster spot elsewhere, perhaps for third-string quarterback Alex Tanney in the event Marcus Mariota needs extra time to recover from a broken right fibula. Tanney is out of practice squad eligibility, so training camp could be his final hurrah in a Titans uniform.

Depth remains a concern at outside linebacker, and it would not be a surprise to see Kevin Dodd begin the season on the physically unable to perform list. Dodd, a second-round pick last year, remains hampered by a surgically-repaired stress fracture in his right foot.

The Titans keep six inside linebackers, a product of several rating among the team’s best special teams players. Nate Palmer (who has starting experience) and Justin Staples can also play outside, which provides additional depth at what may be the Titans’ thinnest position.

Second-year defensive lineman Antwaun Woods rates among the more difficult cuts, and could make the roster (he’s projected as a likely practice squad member), particularly if Karl Klug must begin the year on the PUP list as he recovers from a ruptured Achilles tendon.

2017 TENNESSEE TITANS

PROJECTED 53-MAN ROSTER AND DEPTH CHART

OFFENSE (25)

Quarterbacks (2): Marcus Mariota, Matt Cassel

Tackles (4): Taylor Lewan, Jack Conklin, G/T Dennis Kelly, Brad Seaton

Guards (4): Quinton Spain, Josh Kline, Sebastian Tretola, G/C Corey Levin

Centers (2): Ben Jones, G/C/TE Tim Lelito

Running backs (3): DeMarco Murray, Derrick Henry, Khalfani Muhammad (R)

Fullback (1): Jalston Fowler

Wide receivers (6): Corey Davis (R), Rishard Matthews, Taywan Taylor (R), Tajae Sharpe, Eric Weems (FA), Harry Douglas

Tight ends (3): Delanie Walker, Jonnu Smith (R), Phillip Supernaw

DEFENSE (25)

Defensive ends/tackles (4): Jurrell Casey, DaQuan Jones, Karl Klug, Angelo Blackson

Nose tackles (2): Sylvester Williams (FA), NT/DT Austin Johnson

Outside linebackers (4): Brian Orakpo, Derrick Morgan, Aaron Wallace, Josh Carraway (R)

Inside linebackers (6): Avery Williamson, Wesley Woodyard, Jayon Brown (R), Nate Palmer, Daren Bates (FA), Justin Staples

Cornerbacks (5): Logan Ryan (FA), Adoree’ Jackson (R), Brice McCain, LeShaun Sims, Demontre Hurst (FA)

Safeties (4): Kevin Byard, Jonathan Cyprien (FA), Da’Norris Searcy, Brynden Trawick (FA)

SPECIAL TEAMS (3)

Kicker (1): Ryan Succop

Punter (1): Brett Kern

Long snapper (1): Beau Brinkley

Kick returners: Weems, Muhammad

Punter returners: Jackson, Weems

RESERVE/PUP (1)

OLB Kevin Dodd (foot)

NOTABLE CUTS (10)

DE Mehdi Abdesmad, TE Jace Amaro, RB David Fluellen, G/T Josue Matias, WR Tre McBride, CB Kalan Reed, S Curtis Riley, CB D’Joun Smith, QB Alex Tanney, NT Antwaun Woods

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Reach Jason Wolf atjwolf@tennessean.comand follow him on Twitter at@JasonWolfand on Instagram and Snapchat atTitansBeat.