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2018 Tennessee Titans starters, 53-man roster, schedule prediction

Derrick Henry is expected to pick up more snaps in 2018 than he did last season while sharing the backfield with DeMarco Murray. Mark Humphrey/AP Photo

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Here's a look at the Tennessee Titans roster heading into the 2018 season (starters in bold):

QUARTERBACK (2): Marcus Mariota, Blaine Gabbert

Mariota should have a career year under the tutelage of new coordinator Matt LaFleur. Expect to see him be more aggressive and take shots on unscripted, off-schedule throws. Having a veteran backup such as Gabbert is a bonus because he can share what he saw on a particular series when Mariota comes back to the sideline.

RUNNING BACK (3): Derrick Henry, Dion Lewis, David Fluellen

Henry and Lewis will get the bulk of the carries. They bring two different styles that complement each other, giving the Titans a potent rushing attack. Fluellen is a steady special teams performer who can step in if called upon to take a few carries.

WIDE RECEIVER (6): Corey Davis, Rishard Matthews, Taywan Taylor, Tajae Sharpe, Darius Jennings, Cameron Batson

A healthy Davis is ready to show he can be the Titans' lead receiver. The group was once considered a weakness, but the return of Matthews bolsters it. Taylor and Sharpe give Tennessee production and depth in the slot as well as on the outside. Jennings and Batson will primarily be special teams performers, but both can stretch the field from the outside.

TIGHT END (4): Delanie Walker, Jonnu Smith, Luke Stocker, Anthony Firkser

Walker and Smith will see a lot of action in two-tight-end packages. They present matchup problems for opposing defenses. Stocker will enter the game as part of the jumbo packages as a fullback.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Taylor Lewan, Jack Conklin, Josh Kline, Quinton Spain, Ben Jones, Dennis Kelly, Corey Levin, Kevin Pamphile, Aaron Stinnie

Having signed the largest contract for an offensive lineman in league history, Lewan will be the anchor of the unit. Kelly will be relegated to a reserve role. Kline and Spain will be a vital part of the zone blocking scheme.

DEFENSIVE LINE (5): Jurrell Casey, DaQuan Jones, Bennie Logan, Austin Johnson, Matt Dickerson

Casey is one of the league's most underrated players. Jones is a big body who can plug up the middle of the line and be a force against the run. The addition of Logan will solidify the defensive line and gives the Titans a player who can block field goals and punts.

LINEBACKER (11): Derrick Morgan, Brian Orakpo, Wesley Woodyard, Will Compton, Rashaan Evans, Jayon Brown, Harold Landry, Aaron Wallace, Sharif Finch, Kamalei Correa, Daren Bates

Morgan and Orakpo will be the starters, but there will be a rotation of outside linebackers to rush the passer. Landry has the potential to lead the Titans in sacks, even in a limited role. Woodyard and Compton are the starters for now, but that could change as Evans makes his way back into the lineup. Brown is an impact player, especially in sub-packages. Evans is the wild card. Once he makes his way back to the field, he should be a force against the run like he was as a standout at Alabama last season.

CORNERBACK (5): Malcolm Butler, Logan Ryan, Adoree’ Jackson, LeShaun Sims, Kenneth Durden

Butler returned to practice recently and will take over as the lead corner for the Titans. Ryan is the starter on the other side, although Jackson also is listed as a starter. They'll use a lot of sub-packages which will allow all three to get on the field. Simms and Durden give the Titans two long cornerbacks who provide depth on the outside.

SAFETY (5): Kevin Byard, Kenny Vaccaro, Dane Cruikshank, Kendrick Lewis, Brynden Trawick

Byard and Vaccaro give the Titans a pair of interchangeable starters. They will take turns matching up against tight ends or dropping back into deep coverage. Cruikshank has impressed and will at the very least be a special teams contributor along with Trawick.

SPECIALISTS (3): K Ryan Succop, P Brett Kern, LS Beau Brinkley

The band stays together for another year.