Music City Miracles
The Tennessee Titans unveiled their initial 53-man roster on Tuesday afternoon. You followed our live cut tracker here. Practice squads and waiver claims will start taking shape on Wednesday. The Titans possess the No. 1 priority on the waiver wire, so more moves are coming.
We’ve identified 10 talents the Titans should consider signing to their practice squad.
Jermar Jefferson was arguably the Titans’ best running back throughout the preseason. They decided to keep in-house options Julius Chestnut and Kalel Mullings instead. They should try to retain Jefferson via the practice squad, and he could play an early-season role in place of Tyjae Spears if they need.
Xavier Restrepo wasn’t productive enough to earn a 53-man roster spot. A fan favorite and personal friend of Cam Ward, the Titans should definitely keep him around on the practice squad. Perhaps Restrepo could replace Tyler Lockett in the slot next year.
The Titans expectedly kept just two quarterbacks, Cam Ward and Brandon Allen. Trevor Siemian replaced Tim Boyle as QB3 after the first preseason game and performed admirably in training camp. Siemian is a practice squad-caliber quarterback.
Andrew Rupcich made the 53-man roster last year. The Titans had better depth across the interior this year, with Jackson Slater and Blake Hance as new additions. Rupcich started the first preseason game and is an NFL-caliber blocker.
James Proche was arguably the Titans’ biggest surprise cut. The veteran receiver felt like a lock for the punt return job. The Titans should add Proche to the practice squad and elevate him to the game-day roster (four standard elevations from the practice squad).
Cam Horsley lacks the length the Titans desire in defensive lineman. The rookie undrafted free agent made the occasional play during the preseason though. Horsley is a quality run stopper and should continue honing his craft behind the scenes.
Ali Gaye was among the surprising first-wave cuts. We thought he might make the initial 53, only to be a waiver claims sacrifice later. Gaye is long with untapped athleticism, and should continue developing via the practice squad.
Julius Wood was surprisingly among the Titans’ first wave of releases. They possessed terrific depth at safety, with Mike Brown and Kendell Brooks also competing for one roster spot behind Quandre Diggs. Wood could get claimed on waivers.
The aforementioned Brooks was also waived. Brooks recorded the first pick-six in recent Titans preseason memory. Mike Borgonzi’s squad was deep at safety, but a practice squad opportunity should be floated his way.
Carlos Watkins very nearly made the 53-man roster as the final defensive tackle (That honor went to Timmy Horne). The veteran Watkins is an experienced NFL player. You’re only allowed a few of those on the practice squad.
