Reviewing Tennessee Titans' cut day: What surprised me, what didn't and what's next? | Estes

gentry estes, nashville tennessean

Tue, Aug 29, 2023, 8:08 PM·4 min read

Some cut-day thoughts while reviewing who did – and did not – make the Tennessee Titans' 53-man roster out of the 2023 training camp:

I was surprised by …

Matthew Jackson (Eastern Kentucky) and Anthony Kendall (Baldwin Wallace) making the roster as undrafted free agents ahead of other defensive backs from larger college programs. Among those the Titans cut Tuesday were Shyheim Carter (Alabama), Eric Garror (Louisiana-Lafayette) and Armani Marsh (Washington State), and all were believed to have put together solid preseasons. It's a real credit to Jackson and Kendall.

I actually wasn't that surprised by …

Receiver Racey McMath not making the team. There's still potential with McMath, but by now, he's had opportunities to make more of a Titans impression. Feels like it's time to give some others a shot.

I wouldn't give up on …

Receivers Reggie Roberson (a second-year player from SMU) and Tre'Shaun Harrison (rookie from Oregon State). The preseason competition at receiver was deep and impressive, and that had a lot to do with these two guys. There were only going to be so many spots available, and you can't blame the Titans for keeping a 6-foot-3 draft pick (Colton Dowell) over Roberson and Harrison, who are each listed as 5-11. But the Titans should try to keep these two on the practice squad if they can. I'd expect both, sooner or later, to be out there for someone on a Sunday.

Defensively, I'll mention Garror here, too. His being cut Tuesday surprised me as much as any Titans player.

The best thing the Titans did Tuesday was …

Trade for a reliable kicker in Nick Folk and be willing to spend cap space on a position they've too often undervalued lately.

The worst thing the Titans did Tuesday was …

Have to tell wide receiver Mason Kinsey he'd been cut on his birthday. Kinsey has been through this before with the Titans, obviously, but this had seemed to be setting up as his best chance to make the roster out of camp. And yes, Tuesday was Kinsey's 25th birthday. He had family coming into town.

The best story of the 53 was …

Kendall, easily. Not many can make an NFL roster out of a Division III program. According to D3football.com, there hasn't been a D3 player drafted in the past two years, and Kendall was only the second player in the past 12 years from his school to even sign with an NFL team. Titans scouts deserve a pat on the back for this find.

I'm most excited to see …

Caleb Murphy, an undrafted free agent out of tiny Ferris State. The Titans were wise to hold on to Murphy, because I don't think they'd have been able to sneak an edge rusher like him past other NFL teams and onto their own practice squad. Murphy played in Division II, but he had 25.5 sacks as a college senior. If you do that at any level, you can play. And the Titans will need him to play. Reserve edge rushers always seem to find their way into games for this defense.

Aug 12, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Caleb Murphy (42) celebrates after sacking the Chicago Bears quarterback in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

And also receiver Kearis Jackson, who was probably the player selected over Kinsey as a short-term fill-in for Kyle Philips as a slot receiver and punt returner. There's a lot to be said for a player who has made big catches in high-pressure games, as Jackson did for Georgia. He's a good player, and there aren't too many walking around the Titans building with two championship rings.

The Titans still need help at …

Tight end. For now, there's Chig Okonkwo and only two others. And rookie Josh Whyle didn't have a great preseason, while Trevon Wesco hasn't had more than three catches in any of his four NFL seasons.

Take note that …

Of former GM Jon Robinson's final 29 draft picks with the Titans, only 11 were still on the active roster as of Tuesday afternoon. This preseason, the Titans chose rookie undrafted free agents over older draft picks at receiver (McMath), inside linebacker (Chance Campbell) and defensive back (Chris Jackson was cut a couple of weeks ago). Running back Hassan Haskins, meanwhile, was placed on the commissioner exempt list and has likely been overtaken by Julius Chestnut in the Titans' pecking order.

The most-improved award goes to …

Quarterback Malik Willis. Look, I didn't think he'd be cut Tuesday. But you couldn't know for sure. After last season, Willis had become an afterthought on this team. He's not anymore. It's not that Willis beat out rookie Will Levis this preseason for the backup spot, necessarily. But he at least made it a tougher decision. Levis hasn't decisively beaten Willis out yet, either, and who would have expected that a few months ago?