From Xavier Restrepo’s explosive return to puzzling depth choices at offensive tackle, we break down the most shocking decisions defining Robert Saleh’s inaugural 53-man roster in Tennessee.
It's been a long offseason for the Tennessee Titans.
There's excitement in the air as the Titans usher in a new era under Robert Saleh.
The Titans played their final preseason game on Saturday night against the Chicago Bears. It was the Titans' first preseason loss, as they were defeated 24-15.
There were a couple of great stories to follow with the Titans this preseason.
The obvious choice was undrafted free agent receiver Tyren Montgomery. Montgomery didn't even play competitive football until a few years ago.
He initially wanted to play basketball at LSU, but his mother got sick, and then COVID-19 put the world to a halt.
He returned home and then his brother convinced him to play football. He wound up at Nicholls State and then transferred to John Carroll where he put together a dominant two-year stretch.
He shined at the Senior Bowl, and the Titans signed him. Unfortunately, he didn't make the roster. There were still a few surprises with the 53-man roster.
I went through and thought of the most surprising additions to the roster on Sunday. Here are the players who surprised me when I found out they made the roster:
Xavier Restrepo Bounces Back to Make the Team
This was definitely a good surprise.
It's been easy to root for Xavier Restrepo since he joined the Titans last year as an undrafted free agent.
He was dealing with a hamstring injury when he ran the 40-yard dash at Miami's Pro Day and underperformed as a result. Restrepo then fell out of the 2025 NFL Draft and signed with the Titans.
He eventually got on the field for two games in the regular season and accounted for a combined 41 receiving yards. It was still clear that he wasn't the player he was in college.
Restrepo worked hard to get back to the player he was then at Miami with Cam Ward. He put in work this offseason to improve his 40-yard dash time. He self-reported running a 4.45-second 40-yard dash.
After how he looked on Saturday, I think it's clear we finally got to see the Miami version of Restrepo.
Restrepo wasn't very active in the first two preseason games, but he put on a show against the Bears. He finished with four receptions for 71 receiving yards.
Seeing him make the roster was a welcome surprise.
Titans Keep Austin Deculus and Limited Swing Tackle Depth
I was shocked when the Titans announced they were signing Austin Deculus earlier this offseason.
He just had the worst-graded season by PFF by a tackle last year. Yet, the Titans thought it was a good idea to keep him around and add him to the 53-man roster.
What's even more surprising is that the Titans didn't decide to add more depth at swing tackle. Behind Dan Moore Jr. and J.C. Latham, there are Deculus and Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson.
Crenshaw-Dickson played in four games with one start last year.
If either Moore or Latham goes down with an injury, this team is going to be in a world of hurt.
Titans Keep Four Tight Ends
The Titans decided to go with four tight ends this year, a move I didn't see coming.
Last year, under Brian Callahan and then Mike McCoy, the Titans had just three tight ends on the roster. Now, they have Gunnar Helm, Daniel Bellinger, David Martin-Robinson, and Kylen Granson.
Could this mean we could see the Titans line up in more 12- or 13-man personnel to better establish the run under Robert Saleh?
This surprise wasn't good or bad, but it was definitely worth noting, as it may be an indicator of how Saleh wants this offense to operate.
Truman Jones Impresses
Truman Jones was the final edge rusher to make the roster after a solid preseason.
What's surprising about this is that Jones had spent his NFL career as a practice squad player up to this point.
He went undrafted out of Harvard in 2023 and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. He was then waived in 2024 and signed to the practice squad.
He would be released by the Chiefs later that year and would wind up with the New England Patriots. He started out on the practice squad but then was elevated to the active roster and played in one game.
Jones found his way to the Titans last year as a reserve outside linebacker and played in nine games. He recorded 1.5 sacks, then had to learn a new position as the Titans converted him to an edge rusher in the new 4-3 system Saleh brought over.
Jones has been on fire this preseason.
He got off to a slow start versus the San Francisco 49ers, but really turned things on in the last two games. His preseason stats include nine total tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two TFLs.
I'm definitely going to root for him this season with the Titans.
