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Way too early depth chart predictions: Defense

The Titans have completely remodeled their defense in free agency and in the draft, these are the players I would start based on talent not salary or draft position.

Jared Wickerham

The Titans added some strong pieces to a disappointing defense in free agency and then added five more players through the draft. With those picks now in, this is how I think the Titans will arrange their depth chart on week one.

LDE: Derrick Morgan, Lavar Edwards

LDT: Sammie Lee Hill, Mike Martin

RDT: Jurrell Casey, Karl Klug

RDE: Kamerion Wimbley, Ropati Pitoitua

SLB: Akeem Ayers, Zaviar Gooden

MLB: Colin McCarthy, Zaviar Gooden

WLB: Zach Brown, Zaviar Gooden

CB 1: Jason McCourty CB, Coty Sensabaugh

CB 2: Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Alterraun Verner

FS: George Wilson, Michael Griffin

SS: Bernard Pollard, Al Afalava

*SCB (nickel package): Alteraun Verner, Coty Sensabaugh

Summary: The defensive line won't look terribly different at the start of the season other than the addition of big Sammie Lee Hill. The mammoths in the middle (Sammie Lee Hill and Ropati Pitoitua) will turn some heads and be tough for interior linemen to move on running downs, but on passing downs crowds will cheer for similar names. Klug, Morgan and Wimbley will get the majority of the pressure, but Lavar Edwards is not someone you want to sleep on. Long, lean and quick Edwards has a real chance to develop into a nice rusher.

Linebackers are untouched in terms of starters. The young LB core should be the nucleus and strength of the Titan defense going forward and the Titans drafted Zaviar Gooden to make sure that even if one of the players goes down a fit replacement will be waiting in the wings.

Defensive back have undergone a major change. Instead of two sub-par safeties the Titans have added George Wilson one of PFFs top defensive backs, and Bernard Pollard who still haunts the dreams of every Patriots player he has ever met. On top of that major upgrade, Tennessee added a first round caliber CB in the third round named Blidi Wreh-Wilson. His speed and press ability will make him a camp/preseason standout and will earn him a job outside as the number two corner. This will move Verner to his natural slot corner back slot where he was a standout.

This unit should be much more sound versus the pass and Morgan could take a huge step in his development now that he finally has some coverage behind him.