20 Eye-Popping Details on Titans’ 2026 Depth Chart
Titans Release First 2026 Unofficial Depth Chart: What You Need to Know
The Big Picture
The Tennessee Titans just dropped their first unofficial depth chart for the 2026 season! Think of a depth chart like a team’s "lineup card" — it shows who’s starting at each position and who’s waiting in the wings.
IMPORTANT REMINDER
This chart is labeled "UNOFFICIAL" in big bold letters and says "As of August 8, 2026" at the bottom. The team is only 8 practices into training camp and still has over a month before their first real game against the New York Jets on September 13. Things can (and will!) change.
What’s Happening Next?
Before we dive into the chart, here’s what’s coming up:
- Tuesday – Joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, California
- Thursday – Preseason game against the 49ers (under the lights!)
20 Things That Stood Out
Quarterback Room
| Position | Player | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Starter (QB1) | Cam Ward | The rookie is officially listed as the starter — no surprise here! |
| Backup (QB2) | Mitchell Trubisky | Veteran presence behind Ward |
| Third String (QB3) | Will Levis | Former starter now third on the chart |
| Fourth String (QB4) | Hendon Hooker | Rounding out the QB room |
Running Backs
| Depth | Player |
|---|---|
| RB1 (Starter) | Tony Pollard |
| RB2 | Tyjae Spears |
| RB3 | Julius Chestnut |
| RB4 | Michael Carter |
| RB5 | Kalel Mullings |
| RB6 | Nick Singleton |
NOTE: Pollard and Spears give the Titans a dynamic "1-2 punch" at running back.
Wide Receivers (Three-Receiver Set)
The Titans list three starting receivers with clear backups behind each:
| Position | Starter (1st) | Backup (2nd) | Third String (3rd) |
|---|---|---|---|
| X Receiver | Calvin Ridley | Elic Ayomanor | Xavier Restrepo |
| Slot/Z | Wan’Dale Robinson | Chimere Dike | K.J. Osborn |
| Other Outside | Carnell Tate (Rookie) | Bryce Oliver | Courtney Jackson |
ROOKIE WATCH: Carnell Tate (rookie) is already listed as a starter! Keep an eye on him.
Offensive Line
| Position | Starter | Backup | Third String |
|---|---|---|---|
| Left Tackle | Dan Moore Jr. | Austin Deculus | — |
| Left Guard | (Not specified in chart) | — | — |
| Center | Austin Schlottmann | Andre James | Pat Coogan |
| Right Guard | Cordell Volson | Fernando Carmona Jr. | — |
| Right Tackle | JC Latham | Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson | — |
KEY TAKEAWAY: Schlottmann gets the nod at center over Andre James. Volson starts at right guard.
Tight Ends
| Depth | Player |
|---|---|
| TE1 (Starter) | Gunnar Helm (Only one TE listed in starting lineup) |
| TE2 | Daniel Bellinger |
| TE3 | David Martin-Robinson |
| TE4 | Kylen Granson |
| TE5 | Jaren Kanak |
| TE6 | Joel Wilson |
Defense: The 4-3 + Nickel Look
The defense shows a 4-3 base (4 linemen, 3 linebackers) PLUS 5 defensive backs — that extra DB is called a "Nickel Cornerback" (used when the offense has 3+ receivers).
Defensive Line
| Position | Starters | Backups |
|---|---|---|
| Defensive End (Edge) | Jermaine Johnson | Femi Oladejo |
| Defensive End (Edge) | Jacob Martin | Keldric Faulk |
| Defensive Tackle (Interior) | Jeffery Simmons | Solomon Thomas |
| Defensive Tackle (Interior) | John Franklin-Myers | Jordan Elliott |
Linebackers
| Position | Starters | Backups |
|---|---|---|
| LB1 | Mohamoud Diabate | Anthony Hill Jr. |
| LB2 | Cody Barton | James Williams Sr. |
| LB3 | Cedric Gray | Dorian Mausi |
NOTE: Diabate listed ahead of Anthony Hill Jr. at one linebacker spot.
Defensive Backs (5 total starters!)
| Position | Starters | Backups |
|---|---|---|
| Cornerback | Alontae Taylor | Micah Robinson |
| Cornerback | Cor’Dale Flott | Joshua Williams |
| Nickel Corner | Marcus Harris | Keydrain Calligan |
| Safety | Amani Hooker | Tony Adams |
| Safety | Kevin Winston Jr. | Kendell Brooks |
Special Teams
| Role | Starter | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| Punt Returner | Chimere Dike | Mason Kinsey |
| Kick Returner | Chimere Dike | Michael Carter |
| Long Snapper | Morgan Cox | Nobody listed! |
| Holder (for kicks) | Tommy Townsend | Mitchell Trubisky |
INTERESTING: Chimere Dike pulls double duty as #1 returner for BOTH punts AND kickoffs!
QUESTION: No backup long snapper listed behind Morgan Cox. That’s unusual — expect one to be added soon.
Summary: The Big Takeaways
- Cam Ward is QB1 — The rookie has officially claimed the starting job
- Three-receiver set with Ridley, Robinson, and rookie Carnell Tate starting
- Austin Schlottmann beats out Andre James for starting center
- Gunnar Helm is the lone starting tight end
- Tony Pollard leads the running back room over Tyjae Spears
- Defense runs a 4-3 with nickel package — 5 DBs on the field in base situations
- Mohamoud Diabate starts at linebacker ahead of Anthony Hill Jr.
- Chimere Dike is the return specialist for both punts and kicks
- No backup long snapper — keep an eye on this
- Everything is unofficial and VERY early — expect lots of movement!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does "Unofficial Depth Chart" actually mean?
A: It’s the team’s first public guess at the lineup. Coaches make it, but it’s not set in stone. Players move up/down based on practice performance, injuries, and preseason games. Think of it as a "pencil draft" — written in pencil, not pen!
Q: Why is Cam Ward starting already? He’s a rookie!
A: The Titans drafted him high (likely #1 overall) to be their franchise quarterback. Starting him in the first depth chart shows confidence. But remember — it’s August. If he struggles, Trubisky (a former #2 overall pick with starting experience) is right there.
Q: What’s a "Nickel Cornerback"?
A: Most defenses use 4 defensive backs (2 corners, 2 safeties). When the offense puts 3+ receivers on the field, the defense adds a 5th defensive back called the "Nickel" (because 5 cents = nickel). Marcus Harris is that guy — he covers slot receivers.
Q: Why is there no backup long snapper listed?
A: Great catch! Long snapping is a highly specialized skill. Morgan Cox is one of the best in the league. Teams usually carry a backup (often a tight end or linebacker who practices it), but they might not list one yet. Don’t worry — they’ll have someone ready by Week 1!
Q: How much will this change before the real season starts?
A: A LOT. Players get hurt, rookies surprise veterans, trades happen, and coaches change their minds after seeing guys in preseason games. By September 13 (opening day), this chart could look completely different. That’s why it says "Unofficial" in BOLD!
Final Thought
Depth charts are fun to analyze, but they’re just snapshots in time. The real battles happen on the practice field and in preseason games. The Titans have a long road ahead — joint practices with the 49ers, three more preseason games, and final roster cuts — before the real football begins.
Stay tuned, Titans fans!