Here's my 53
QB Mariota, Gabbert, Falk (3)
Falk is either hit or miss to a degree that most usually aren't, probably not given patience out of the gate. Most everyone from his college offense has stunk in the NFL, rocked in college. Not a normal prospect
RB Henry, Fluellen, Lewis, Wadley (7)
I think they will look to find a veteran that could replace Flu which is a shame. Unsure if veterans will play ST but it'll be mandatory for a 3rd? 3A? backup.
OL Lewan, Spain, Jones, Suah'Filo, Kelly.
Kline, Marz, Conklin (PUP) (14)
Kline's big contract aside, he has never graded out well since joining the Titans. Starting G and C experience should have him a key backup that pushes Levin to the PS again. Look for Kelly to start at RG when Conklin returns. Kline is the only mobile interior lineman. Everyone else is a bunch of tough guys that can win with power. They didn't land the Gs necessary to do a Shanahan offense. It would never happen, but they'd essentially need Lewan and Conklin to play G. I expect a flop in camp and then go back to what's worked for two decades- running around the corner. There's no denying the awesome presence they have at either T with a TE nearby. Note, Spain and Marz are college Ts that have played T in every camp since being drafted. Kelly is not a guarantee to replace Conklin, if necessary. I do not get a sense of urgency in bringing Conklin back. My guess is six weeks of quality backups (which is unusual) is best for both him and the team. People understate Conklin's capability but remember he was All-Pro as a rookie. They're not trying to get him back per se but trying to get him back to being elite.
TE- Walker, Smith, Stocker (17)
Supernaw was a Mularkey favorite and has forced a few fumbles on ST and even made a couple key catches out of nowhere. I could see him being kept over Flu and then when other teams go to 53, they cut Supernaw to get a better back than Fluellen. Both are coach's pet types and special hustlers. I don't think it's exclusive to Mularkey but Vrabel will love them too. (Already has praised Flu) I don't think they keep both. Note TEs and RBs playing FB on occasion, hence the carryover here.
WR Matthews, Davis, Taylor, Sharpe, Burnett (22)
I think Matthews becomes the slot and that both he or Sharpe could be traded. I am still quite hopeful for Taylor's future and think he'll be "something" someday.
ST, usual Kern, Succup, Brinkley (25)
DL
Casey, Woods, Jones
Johnson, Logan (30)
Possibly a Klug invite to return. All five have played all three spots. David King is a 4-3 end that shouldn't have been on the prior roster and will be sorely out of place now. I am not a Dodd fan but I do give some hmmm to the idea of him desperate and angry. Maybe as just a DE he can beat Logan out. I don't give any chance to Logan beating out Woods. Pagano isn't even on the team (tryout player) but he could be a monkey wrench here. I think they sorely need the UDFA backups they cut last year and could look to get one of them to return.
LB
Woodyard, Rashaan, Orakpo, Morgan
Landry, Brown, Wallace, Compton, Carraway (39)
S
Byard, Cyprien, Cruikshank and Lewis (43) Trawick (44)
Not enough to run three safety set. Talk of Ryan and Brown playing S is interesting but I have to think they'd add a S if the opportunity arises.
Trawick is still elite on ST. Bates is not. (I often confuse the two, so sorry about that)
CB
Adoree, Ryan, Butler, Sims, Smith, and Hurst (50)
I can't imagine there is any wiggle room here.
THREE REMAINING
DeLuca, I'm obessed with now so I'll just pencil him in and reserve comment.
I think they'll hold onto many LBs at the 53 point to try and force a trade and/or just keep a large amount because very little is solidified there. Morgan should be playing some end this year. No idea how Rashaan and Woodyard play together and they have to do that well. If Landry is a steal, then how do they get him on the field. Still want Brown's speed on the field....on and on, Vrabel is too new and too much switching for him to be truly comfortable with this group. Nate Palmer will forever have value for his ST play and his experience starting in GB. He could be kept with the notion he replaces a LB traded or is first guy cut when someone is signed.
One of this group:
Campanaro makes it if no one else will step up as a KR/PR. Ideally it will be a young CB or WR.
It's been interesting to hear how upset they were that Jeremy Boykins was claimed by Atlanta and that they were fortunate to get him back. He is an elite athlete that is "soso" as a CB and learned S last camp. I'm gonna guess an all-state HS basketball and baseball player can catch the ball. Can he return the ball? Play WR or RB in a spot like Adoree? That they're enamored with him and that Vrabel is intrigued (despite not coaching him) makes him a very curious player.
Darius Jennings' ability to play S, CB, RB, and WR has made him invaluable in practices during the season. His muffed returns last year aside, I bet he could take Camp's spot.
Rose III was best HS DB ya never saw and a gaudy small school RB. He can return kicks and punts. Played gunner in college but not return man except in spring games. Coach didn't want to risk injury.
Little Dawkins (believe it or not) has snapped the ball and loves special teams.
Ideal three- DeLuca, Jennings, and Rose III
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JRob is very much in tune with the NFL "procedure" of keeping 53 then signing many AND THEN adding those cut after 53 to the PS. Exposing players a 3-5 days after cutdown day is wayyyy safer than doing it on cutdown day. I think this final group could all be cut and onto the PS before week one.
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Most interesting concept I've heard- Trawick as extra deep safety in 3 safety set. Some will say it essentially sets up 10 on 11, but he ain't going in on obvious running downs.
It really is a mystery how he can read a return beautifully and yet struggles on D. If backing him up is all it takes, that'll be something.