​The Tennessee Titans are counting down the days until training camp begins, with rookies reporting on July 23 and veterans joining five days afterward. Once camp opens, the competition will ramp up as players vie for a spot on the roster ahead of Week 1 against the New York Jets. The Titans boast an intriguing mix of seasoned veterans and young talent, and while several roles appear decided, there will be ample battles across every unit as the team narrows from 90 players down to 53.
Here is a pre-camp 53-man roster projection from Titans Wire. At quarterback, Cam Ward is projected as the starter, with Mitch Trubisky as the primary reserve. Ward is viewed as the unquestioned leader of the offense, and with a real offensive coordinator in place, he could be positioned for a breakout year. Trubisky came aboard at Brian Daboll’s behest to serve as the No. 2 and help Ward acclimate to the system. Will Levis remains a wildcard; if he proves he’s healthy, he could complicate the Titans’ roster plans if a trade partner isn’t found before the regular season begins, though that outcome remains uncertain. Tennessee also added Hendon Hooker in the offseason, and he could find himself on the practice squad if advancement isn’t immediate.
At running back, the starter is Tony Pollard, with Tyjae Spears and Kalel Mullings and Nick Singleton in reserve. The backfield is more clearly defined than the quarterback room. Pollard leads the group, though Spears could see a share of carries as the coaches strive to keep both backs fresh throughout the season. The competition between Mullings and Singleton should be entertaining, but ultimately the Titans may keep both, especially since Pollard and Spears will be in the final year of their contracts.
In the wide receiver corps, the projected starters are Calvin Ridley, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Carnell Tate, with Elic Ayomanor, Chimere Dike, and Bryce Oliver in reserve. Tennessee completely reshaped this unit by bringing in Robinson and Tate to complement Ayomanor and Dike, who had encouraging rookie campaigns. With the added depth, there will be intense competition at the lower end of the depth chart, and special teams value could help Bryce Oliver secure a spot over his peers. This area promises to be one of the more intriguing battles in training camp.
The tight end group features Gunnar Helm as the starter, with Daniel Bellinger and Jaren Kanak in reserve. Helm appears poised to hold the top job, while Bellinger brings in familiarity with the offense from Daboll’s regime, providing trusted depth. The Titans also drafted Kanak in the seventh round, a versatile player who should contribute on special teams while continuing to grow as a receiving option.
Along the offensive line, the projected starters are Dan Moore Jr., Peter Skoronski, Austin Schlottmann, Jackson Slater, and JC Latham. The reserves are Cardell Volson, Pat Coogan, Fernando Carmona, Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, and Aamil Wagner. With Latham, Moore, and Skoronski locked in, the battle for the remaining starting spots will be a focus in camp. Slater is expected to compete with Volson for a starting role, while Schlottmann will vie to improve at his position as well. The competition at left guard and other interior spots will be closely watched as the team finalizes its lines.