Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Titans Training Camp Kickoff: Offensive Roster Predictions - Backfield, Pass Catchers & Offensive Line

Episode Date: July 28, 2020

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Welcome to the Locked on Titans podcast. I am your host, Tyler Rowland. Titans fans, we have arrived. It is training camp kickoff day for our Tennessee Titans, ready to take step one towards the 2020 NFL season. And for the last two weeks, I have been giving you guys a training camp preview. We did our ultimate division crossover training camp preview. We did our ultimate division crossover training camp preview. I did my personal training camp preview, giving you all the news and notes and updates from the NFL's

training camp and regular season negotiations with the players. Also went through our Clash of the Titans roster role battle series. Make sure that if you missed any of that content from the last two weeks, that you check that out as we head into training camp here. Make sure that you are subscribed to the Locked on Titans podcast on Apple Podcasts, following on Spotify, or whatever platform you do stream, so that if you missed anything before, you can go back and check that out, and also get the content that I will be pumping out Monday through Friday throughout the rest of the season. Also, make sure that you follow me on Twitter at TicTacTitans. I posted today my TicTac Tuesday, TicTac Titans film breakdown talking about the slot

cornerback position that I previewed on yesterday's show in our Clash of the Titans roster roll finale. So make sure you check all of that evergreen content out and check out that film breakdown that I put on Twitter at TicTacTitans. But for today's training camp kickoff show, what better time to look at the 81 players on the roster and give you my predictions to who will make the cut. The Titans will eventually have to shrink that roster down to 53 players. Who do I think those players will be? Today, we will do part one and I will take a look at the offense. Look at all of the offensive position players and tell you who I think will remain out of each group. And then tomorrow, of course, we will round out our series looking

at the defense and the special team. So really excited to get into some Titans content. It is training camp kickoff day. Let's get it. Titans training camp has arrived. So, before we jump into my offensive roster predictions for the final 53, I want to give you guys two news updates that took place on Monday that are training camp relevant to the final 53. I want to give you guys two news updates that took place on Monday that are training camp relevant to the Tennessee Titans. And first, that is that the Titans infectious disease emergency response plan was officially approved. That makes the Titans one of 20 NFL teams that have had their IDER plans approved

and they will be good to go into training camp from a procedure and protocol standpoint dealing with COVID-19. And then the second piece of news came on Monday night, and that was that the Titans have officially agreed to contract terms with second-round cornerback out of LSU, Christian Fulton. Fulton is the fifth member of the Titans' six-man 2020 draft class to come to terms. The only one that has not is first round pick right tackle out of Georgia Isaiah Wilson. So we will

keep an eye on that news and I will make sure to bring that to you guys as soon as it takes place. But with those two pieces of news out of the way let's get into my offensive roster prediction so first let's start with the quarterback position and right now as part of the 81 man roster that the Titans will have starting off training camp the Titans have three quarterbacks right now we have of course the face of the franchise the hundred million dollar man Ryan Thill, who will clearly make the roster and be the starter for this team, barring any sort of injury or health issues that could come in the future. And then we have Titans practice squad stalwart, Logan Woodside. And Woodside spent some time in the AAF with the San Antonio team that's now defunct, but he's spent a ton of time with the Titans

organization, played a lot in the preseason last year, and was their practice squad go-to while carrying two quarterbacks on the roster heading into 2019. So they had Marcus Mariota as the starter and Ryan Tannehill as the backup. The Titans don't typically, well at least John Robinson doesn't typically carry three quarterbacks on the roster. So that led to Woodside playing mostly on the practice squad. But he could get an elevated role and become the Titans official backup quarterback this season. The Titans have talked throughout the offseason, head coach Mike Vrabel, wide receiver A.J. Brown, general manager John Robinson about the improvements they've seen from Woodside. So whether that's all talk or whether he has truly blossomed into a real NFL backup quarterback, that remains to be seen.

But right now, that's what is expected from Woodside. And then finally at the quarterback position, you have seventh round rookie out of Hawaii, Cole McDonald. And McDonald has electric talent. He has good athleticismism good mobility that matches Tannehill's skill set he also has a very live arm and can make all the throws he's risky but in kind of a good way he's aggressive down the field he takes shots that can get him into some trouble he will also take off running and needs to be more careful about getting out of bounds and sliding

he's had a lot of natural talent a lot of his life, and you can tell. But as is well documented, he has a very wonky throwing motion. He's got a big dip in his shoulder. He brings the ball down towards his waist and then rotates it in a long manner all the way up over his head. So that's something that the Titans and McDonald have been working on throughout the offseason. It's something to watch going into camp. That battle that I've talked about, that was the first installment of our Clash of the

Titans roster roll battles. It's taking a look at that backup quarterback role between Woodside, between McDonald, and will the Titans bring in a veteran if both of those guys disappoint? That remains to be seen. But right now, the Titans have three quarterbacks to choose from, and last year they carried two, leaving Woodside to the practice squad, so it'll be interesting to see what shakes out there. Then at the running back position, and I will include the fullback in this, we have Derrick Henry, of course the king, coming off a big contract

extension as well. We have third round draft pick Darrington Evans, who's expected to be a complimentary back to Derrick Henry and add some speed to the offense. We have Dalen Dalkins, who has spent time on the Titans active roster and on the practice squad throughout the last few years. And then we have Sunarize Perry, who came as a veteran free agent from the Buffalo Bills, mostly a special teamer in his time in the NFL. And then we have Cameron Scarlett as well, an undrafted free agent looking for his opportunity to maybe make the roster. As mentioned, the Titans carried four running backs into the season last year. That included, of course, Derrick Henry and Deion Lewis, and then the roster pirate himself, David Flewellen, and then Dalen Dawkins.

And Flewellen seemed like a good match for Henry. Dawkins seemed like a good match for Lewis and that made sense last year but with Derrick Henry taking even more of a role than was expected at the beginning of the season last year with Darrington Evans expected to get in there to compliment Derrick Henry in the passing game and add a speed threat to the offense how many more running backs will the Titans need to keep around, especially considering you have fullback Kari Blossom game, who had a big impact on the Titans offense last year and will also kind of be considered in that backfield.

So how many of those guys will the Titans keep? They will be going into training camp with five running backs available and then Kari Blossom game at fullback. In my opinion, taking a look at my prediction for this roster, I do think that the Titans will keep two quarterbacks like they normally do and then have a quarterback on the practice squad. I think those two quarterbacks do ultimately end up being Ryan Tannehill and Logan Woodside. The Titans need someone they can count on at backup quarterback. If Ryan Tannehill were to get injured or have a health issue like COVID-19,

right now the Titans are working on Cole McDonald's throwing motion, just trying to get that NFL ready. And with the limited offseason, the Titans won't necessarily have time to get McDonald ready to take advantage of some of the talents that he has. Maybe they can get him through waivers and bring him back on the practice squad, but right now I see Woodside and Tannehill being the ones to make the roster. Then at the running back position, I think that the Titans will ultimately keep three running backs and a fullback. Obviously Derrick Henry, obviously Darrington Evans, and then you look at someone like Centerize Perry, who played for the Buffalo Bills and

some other teams throughout his NFL career, but has been a special teamer. There will be a premium put on versatility this offseason because of all the issues with COVID-19. And I think Perry's versatility to play a little bit of running back, but mostly special teams, will give him an advantage because the Titans do and will keep Kari Blossom game, in my opinion, as well. So four total backs will be kept. Evans, Henry, Perry, and then Blossom game as well. That is my prediction for the backfield for the Titans. We are going to continue the conversation next,

look at the wide receivers and the tight ends, and decide who I think makes the final cut at those positions. Let's continue to dive into the skill positions on the Titans roster. So let's take a look at the wide receiver position first and all of the names that are available to the Titans heading into training camp. At the top of course we have A.J. Brown. Don't expect him to be going anywhere anytime soon. And then Corey Davis who it'll be interesting to watch what happens with Corey Davis this season. Then Adam Humphreys, who really needs to rebound and have a more productive year to make up for the contract that he signed last all-season. Kalief Raymond will be coming back for the Titans, who was their fifth most important

wide receiver throughout most of the year last year and eventually ended up being their fourth or third most important receiver down the stretch. Then you have Cameron Batson, who although he was out all season last year with an injury for the Titans, the Titans brought back on an exclusive rights free agent deal. So clearly they have an eye for Cam Batson and still believe in what he can do and want to get another look at him. Then we have Cody Hollister, who went back and forth from the Titans practice squad and got some active games for the Titans.

Late in the year last year, a big bodied receiver in Cody Hollister. And then you have Rashad Davis who's another smaller wide receiver who again was on the practice squad for quite some time. Came up for the senior ball club for a little bit at the end of the season. And then you get into some of the undrafted free agents and clearly the Titans were seeking out some talent in the undrafted free agent pool with the wide receiver position to see who they could bring in and you got small slot receiver Mason Kinsey out of Berry College then you get Christian Wilkerson, who's more of a big-bodied receiver at 6'2". Then you have Nick Westbrook, who also is more of a big-bodied receiver at about 6'1", 6'2".

And then you have Kyle Williams, who's on the smaller side, about 5'10". So you've got a couple of undrafted free agents there, about four of them really battling it out, and I wouldn't put Hollister or Davis or maybe even Batson firmly ahead of any of those guys, but one thing that will ultimately matter is the Titans need continuity. The Titans need people who are ready to go right away. This is Super Bowl or bust for the Titans. They went to the AFC Championship game last year, and with the limited amount of snaps that we're going to see, no preseason, training camp, barely going to have padded practices, I just think it's going to be really, really difficult for any of the undrafted free

agents to really make an impact and make a mark and make this roster. Now, if anywhere it could be done, it will be done at the wide receiver position, and here's why. You look at four people I think are guaranteed to make this roster. You look at not a tremendous talent, he's never going to be a starting level player. His role in the offense last year was pretty solid, and the Titans haven't added a veteran like a Taylor Gabriel or anything like that to take that role. So I don't see how you could rely on an undrafted free agent that you don't get a lot of looks at in the preseason over someone like Kalief Raymond, who literally did it for you in the biggest moments last year.

So just something to consider there. So whether it be Raymond or Batson, who, like I said, they brought back even though he missed the entire season last year, whether it be Batson or Raymond, one of those guys is going to be that fourth wide receiver for the Titans, in my opinion. So who fills the fifth slot on the roster? Who fills the sixth slot on the roster who fills the sixth slot on the roster well I think that is up for grabs with some of these undrafted free agents I really do I think it's an option uh that the Titans will have to keep one of those guys on now they'll have to be able to play in special teams I think especially this year with all the limitations

and all the uh IR situations that we're going to see this year with all the limitations and all the IR situations that we're going to see this year due to COVID, it's more important than ever for versatility to ring true throughout your roster. So the Titans are going to need somebody who can play on special teams. That's why I think a name like Cody Hollister kind of comes into play. No, he's not a return man, but he's a big body guy who can be a gunner and help out a little bit there. Maybe he can work his way to show he can do more of that this offseason. It's going to be tough, but maybe he can. But I think looking at the wide receiver position, for me, my predictions, obviously the top three of Brown, Davis, and Humphreys, but then I think Khalif Raymond makes this team and for some strange reason I just think

the Titans are infatuated with Cameron Batson to bring him back so I think Batson will actually make the team as a fifth wide receiver I think the Titans will only carry five wide receivers I think they'll carry more defensive backs to fill those special teams positions that would come from your wide receiver group. The Titans are keeping a guy like Centerize Perry, in my prediction, at the running back position and Kari Blossom game who can help with the special teams. So I think that because of that, they focus on guys who can actually just play wide receiver and they keep Batson, they keep Raymond to go along with the big three. Let's move into the tight end position.

And right now, out of the 81 players the Titans have, they have five tight ends on the roster. Jonu Smith, of course, Anthony Ferkser, Michael Pruitt, Tommy Hudson, and Parker Hesse. So in my opinion, just me looking at the roster, I don't see any room for more than three tight ends. I'm going to keep it very short, very simple, and very sweet for you all. I don't see Parker Hesse or Tommy Hudson finding a way to carve out a role on this roster considering what I mentioned earlier about how many defensive backs I think they'll be keeping.

They'll be keeping Centerize Perry and Kari Blossom game for special teams help, and because of that, I don't see them keeping four tight ends because that fourth tight end will just be for special teams, and I think at other positions like tackle, like defensive back, like wide receiver, like running back, titans could add some special teams available players so that they can keep less tight ends and in my opinion this is a pretty simple one janu firk and pruitt are the easy answers and although the titans kept four tight ends last year going into training camp and although they kept six wide receivers last year going into the regular season, I mean, I think this year we'll see only five wide receivers on the initial 53-man roster going into the regular season.

And then we will only see three tight ends instead of four kept on the Titans regular season initial 53-man roster. Now, keep in mind, there is going to be back and forth between the practice squad and the regular roster more than we've seen ever before this year with the rules that have been announced that you can go back and forth unlimited amounts. Injury reserve will have unlimited spots. So with all of that in mind, I think it's obvious that this year,

the players that don't actually make your roster because of expanded practice squads and the expanded injured reserve, I think that you'll be able to keep guys in the fold a little bit more than you would in a normal year, even though these guys are going to get less of an opportunity than they normally would in a normal year. How many times can you say normal? But I hope that that makes sense. I think a lot of these guys will get opportunities on practice squads

and at the back end of rosters because of COVID. Then they would get in a normal situation, and hopefully that makes up a little bit for the lack of opportunity that they have in training camp in the preseason. But for me, that's it. Brown, Davis, Humphreys, Raymond, Batson, Jonu Smith, Anthony Ferger, Michael Pruitt. Next, we will take a look at the offensive line,

and I think they will have a tough, tough decision on how many players they will keep at the offensive line this year. We will round out today's show with the offensive line. So, so far we have gone through the quarterback position, the running back position, the fullback position, wide receiver and tight end, taking a look at who is on the Titans roster right now heading into training camp and who I think will still be there on the 53-man roster heading into the regular season. So just to recap for you, so far I can see the Titans taking two quarterbacks, Ryan Tannehill, Logan Woodside.

Four backs, Derrick Henry, Darrington Evans, Cinderice Perry, Kari Blossom game. Five wide receivers, A.J. Brown, Corey Davis, Adam Humphreys, Kalief Raymond, and Cameron Batson. And then three tight ends, Jonu Smith, Anthony Ferkser, and Michael Pruitt. Let's take a look at who they have available on the offensive line heading into training camp and who I think will ultimately make the cut at tackle we have Taylor LeJuan, Dennis Kelly, Isaiah Wilson, Ty Sambrillo, David Questenberry and then two undrafted free agents and Anthony McKinney and Brandon Kemp

that's seven offensive tackles by my count obviously the Titans will not carry all of them into the season. But interesting that they did bring in a few undrafted free agent offensive tackles to compete a little bit and see if they might be able to find a diamond in the rough who can ultimately take over that swing tackle role. Now that Dennis Kelly is on a little bit more expensive contract than he used to be. Maybe the Titans could find an undrafted free agent in Jim to take over his role and save a little bit of money going forward if Isaiah Wilson is obviously ready to go.

But that's thinking a little bit too far along. But that's what you have to do when you put together these rosters. So a lot of offensive tackles out there. You look at the interior offensive line. You have Roger Saffold, Nate Davis, Jameel Douglas, Avery Genesee. Then you have Ben Jones, Aaron Brewer, and Daniel Murnier. So you look at the offensive line, and that gives them 14 different bodies along the offensive line. Last year, the Titans brought nine offensive linemen. And that gives them 14 different bodies along the offensive line.

Last year, the Titans brought nine offensive linemen. Well, eight technically because Taylor LeJuan was on suspension. So the Titans brought eight offensive linemen, but that at points and times during the season had nine offensive linemen on the active roster was something they were very concerned with last year. I think this year the Titans will pare that down. They won't have nine on the roster. They will probably just bring the standard eight that they had had before. And when you look at all the options that they have,

I think these make the most sense. So obviously you're going to bring Taylor LeJuan. You're going to bring Dennis Kelly. You're going to bring Isaiah Wilson. I also think it's a lock that Ty Sambrillo will make the roster, and part of that is because Ty Sambrillo has paid the extra eligible tight end, the third offensive tackle on the field, as Dennis Kelly has, but that gives the Titans more bodies on special teams. And another pseudo tight end, Ty Sambrillo is a little bit smaller than your

typical offensive tackle, got a little bit more movement ability. He can be an extra tight end, Ty Sambrillo is a little bit smaller than your typical offensive tackle, got a little bit more movement ability. He can be an extra tight end in certain sets, even if Dennis Kelly ends up being the starter. Then you still have that third tackle that Dennis Kelly was last year in Ty Sambrillo. So that kind of, since you only brought three tight ends instead of four, Sambrillo being on the roster gives you versatility to not view that in that certain way that's the only tackles that I see being brought along Questenberry is a good story and he can do a little bit of that extra

tackle situation but I don't see him making the active roster this year along with the undrafted free agents and Kemp and McKinney just don't see them finding a home in Tennessee with all the talent that they have at tackle. Looking at the interior offensive line, you're obviously going to see Ben Jones, Roger Saffold, and Nate Davis make the roster, but I also think it's a lock to see Jameel Douglas make the team. He played at the starting right guard position, filled in at left guard a little bit during Saffold's minimized absences also played some center when Ben Jones was hurt so I think because of that versatility to play guard and play center that Douglas would ultimately get that nod that is eight total offensive linemen you have LaJuan, Kelly, Wilson, Sambrillo, Saffold, Davis, Douglas, and Jones. And I think ultimately those are the people who get the nod for the Titans heading into

the regular season. But that is going to wrap up my offensive predictions for the 53-man roster heading in to Titans training camp on training camp kickoff day. Hopefully we get some more news, some more updates as the Titans get closer and closer to actually getting on the field, doing some team activities, and I'll continue to bring you guys that news. Make sure, as I mentioned at the beginning of the show, that you are subscribed to the Locked on Titans podcast on whatever platform you stream.

I will be bringing you content Monday through Friday, and today I will be releasing another Tic Tac Titans film breakdown talking about the slot cornerback position. So make sure that you follow me on Twitter at Tic Tac Titans as well so you can check that out. But that is going to do it for today's show. Really excited that Titans training camp is here officially kicking off and ready for an excellent 2020 season with all of you. But that is going to do it for me today.

I will be back tomorrow to give you my defensive predictions. Excited to bring that to you as well. As always, I am your host, Tyler Rowland, and this was Locked on Titans.