The Sports Xchange

The Indianapolis Colts are a unanimous pick to win the AFC South division championship based on a survey of The Sports Xchange’s football staff.

While every first-place vote went to the Colts, the Houston Texans barely edged the Jacksonville Jaguars for second place while the Tennessee Titans were a unanimous pick to finish last.

Here is a closer look at the AFC South for 2015, listed in order of projected finish by The Sports Xchange.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

2015 TSX DIVISIONAL PICK: 1st

2014 RECORD: 13-6

DIVISIONAL RECORD: 6-0

COACH: Chuck Pagano

4th season as Colts/NFL head coach

36-18 overall; 3-3 postseason

Strength of schedule:

Overall .416; Division .292; Non-Division .491.

–TEAM STRENGTH: If Indianapolis has a true team strength, it could very well turn out to be a deep group of wide receivers. The Colts have a top four of T.Y. Hilton, Andre Johnson, Donte Moncrief and rookie Phillip Dorsett. Rookie Duron Carter and veteran Vincent Brown are also in the hunt for roster spots.

–BIGGEST QUESTION: Will Indianapolis’ offensive line ever develop the consistency and chemistry needed to, one, protect quarterback Andrew Luck and, two, help give the Colts a workable running game? Injuries and inconsistent play continued to dog the offensive line during the preseason, much as it has for the last two seasons. When the pass blocking is looking good, the running game suffers. And when Indianapolis shows some ability to run the football, pass protection has been lacking.

UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Andrew Luck. Backup — Matt Hasselbeck.

The Colts going with two quarterbacks on the regular-season roster is not a surprise. Indianapolis did not add a quarterback to its practice squad, although the team’s player personnel department will keep their eyes on the waiver wire to see if a young prospect catches their attention. Luck gives the Colts one of the premier quarterbacks in the league. And Hasselbeck, despite an inconsistent preseason, remains one of the better veteran backups in the NFL.

RUNNING BACKS: Starter — Frank Gore. Backups — Vick Ballard, Josh Robinson, Tyler Varga.

The Colts are rolling the dice a bit at running back. Gore is a no-doubter as the team’s starter. But Ballard is nursing a strained hamstring, his third such injury of the preseason. And Robinson is coming off a concussion that he suffered in the third preseason game at St. Louis. Varga opened some eyes during training camp and the preseason.

TIGHT ENDS: Starters — Dwayne Allen, Coby Fleener. Backup — Jack Doyle.

Indianapolis appears to be in pretty good shape at tight end with Allen, Fleener and Doyle. It’s the same players that the Colts used a year ago. Allen is lighter and appears to be healthier, which is a major plus. And Fleener continues to expand his overall game. Doyle is a good in-line blocker who can also get downfield to catch an occasional pass.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — T.Y. Hilton, Andre Johnson. Backups — Phillip Dorsett, Donte Moncrief, Griff Whalen.

With a group that includes Hilton and Johnson as the starters along with backups Dorsett, Moncrief and Whalen, the Colts are deep, talented and athletic at the position. Indianapolis also figures to be versatile at wide receiver. All four of the team’s top four receivers can play either side and in the slot. That could present matchup issues for opposing defenses.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Anthony Castonzo, LG Lance Louis, C Khaled Holmes, RG Todd Herremans, RT Jack Mewhort. Backups — T Denzell Good, C Jonotthan Harrison, G Robert Myers, T Joe Reitz, G Hugh Thornton.

Still very much a position of flux for the Colts. Castonzo is the anchor at left tackle but there has been a lot of inconsistent play along the rest of the offensive line during the preseason. For now, Louis and Herremans are the starters at guard. Mewhort continues to develop at right tackle. Holmes will be a key to the success of the Indianapolis offensive line.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — DE Kendall Langford, NT David Parry, DTE Henry Anderson. Backups – T T.Y. McGill, E Earl Okine, T Zach Kerr.

The Colts rolled the dice with who they decided to keep on the defensive line. Two rookies could end up starting, with Parry apparently winning the job at nose tackle and Anderson moving inside from end. Langford could be the most experienced defensive lineman on the Indianapolis roster. Okine was a training camp and preseason surprise. Zerr can play tackle or nose tackle. McGill was a late roster addition.

LINEBACKERS: Starters — SLB Erik Walden, Mike LB D’Qwell Jackson, Will LB Jerrell Freeman, RUSH LB Trent Cole. Backups –ILB Sio Moore, ILB Nate Irving, OLB Robert Mathis, OLB Jonathan Newsome, OLB Bjoern Werner.

The addition of Moore from Oakland in a trade could bolster the Colts’ linebacking corps. Moore can play inside or outside roles. Irving has rehabbed (knee) his way back into contention after missing most of last season in Denver. Newsome flashed as a rookie last year but was inconsistent in the just completed preseason. The starting group of Walden, Jackson, Freeman and Cole could be pretty active. Throw in Mathis, who might be available for a few plays in the season opener at Buffalo, and the linebacking position could very well turn into a big positive for Indianapolis.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCB Greg Toler, RCB Vontae Davis, FS Dwight Lowery, SS Mike Adams. Backups — S Colt Anderson, CB Jalil Brown, CB Darius Butler, S Clayton Geathers, S Winston Guy, CB Sheldon Price, CB D’Joun Smith.

If this group can stay together health-wise, the Colts’ starting secondary could be one of the better ones in the league. Davis and Adams are both coming off Pro-Bowl seasons. Lowery was a strong addition at safety. Toler can be one of the better cornerbacks in the league, but consistency and injuries have been issues the last couple of seasons. Butler remains one of the best nickel backs in the NFL. Brown had a good preseason and could be plus as a backup. Rookies Geathers and Smith are expected to push for extended playing time.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Adam Vinatieri, P Pat McAfee, LS Matt Overton, KOR Phillip Dorsett, PR Phillip Dorsett.

The biggest questions regarding the special teams units concerns the return game. Dorsett could end up handling both the punt return and the kickoff return roles. But it remains an area that will be in flux. Whalen has proven to be a consistent punt returner when needed. As for the kicking game, can’t get much better than the one-two punch of Vinatieri and McAfee. Overton earned a Pro Bowl selection last year.

PRACTICE SQUAD: OLB Daniel Adongo, WR Quan Bray, WR Duron Carter, LB Amarlo Herrera, T Ulrick John, S Dewey McDonald, ILB Josh McNary, CB Eric Patterson, DT Jeris Pendelton, TE Eric Swoope.

HOUSTON TEXANS

2015 TSX DIVISIONAL PICK: 2nd

2014 RECORD: 9-7

DIVISIONAL RECORD: 4-2

COACH: Bill O’Brien

2nd season as Texans/NFL head coach

9-7 overall

Strength of schedule:

Overall .418; Division .333; Non-Division .469.

All times Eastern

–TEAM STRENGTH: Defensive line. The Texans’ defensive line, headlined by star defensive end J.J. Watt, is an extremely powerful group. Watt is the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The Texans added veteran nose tackle Vince Wilfork this offseason to work in tandem with Watt and defensive end Jared Crick, who is entering a contract year.

–BIGGEST CONCERN: Offensive backfield. Quarterback Brian Hoyer was named the starter over Ryan Mallett, but played so badly in Cleveland last season that he was beaten out by Johnny Manziel at one point. Hoyer had a sharp training camp, but isn’t impressive physically. Mallett has a big arm, but is inconsistent. Third-string quarterback Tom Savage wasn’t part of the competition. Meanwhile, the running game is suffering without Pro Bowl running back Arian Foster (groin surgery), and Alfred Blue has replaced him as the starter.

UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Brian Hoyer. Backup — Ryan Mallett.

Hoyer won the starting job behind the strength of his accuracy, consistency and intelligence, beating out Mallett. Hoyer is a savvy veteran who is building timing and chemistry with his receivers and is known for arriving at the Texans’ offices at daybreak and leaving when it’s dark. Mallett is a strong-armed pocket passer who is well-versed in the offense and has made progress in his decision-making. He was angry when he lost the job. Mallett also had a misstep days later when he overslept and missed practice. Tom Savage is out for the season because of a sprained shoulder and the Texans are considering signing another quarterback.

RUNNING BACKS: Starters — Alfred Blue, FB Jay Prosch. Backups — Chris Polk, Jonathan Grimes, Arian Foster.

Foster is due back late this month or early in October, according to sources. When the Pro Bowl runner returns, the Texans will be crossing their fingers that he doesn’t have another medical setback. When healthy, Foster is a gliding runner adept at outside zone runs and sweeps, and catching passes out of the backfield. Blue is an upright, physical back who will start while Foster is sidelined. Polk is a smooth pass-catcher with return skills, and Grimes is an all-around back. Prosch is a rugged lead blocker who has upgraded his pass-catching and running skills. Prosch is primarily utilized to run interference for the backs. Prosch is big at 6-foot-1, 256 pounds and could bench press 450 pounds while he was in high school.

TIGHT ENDS: Starter — Garrett Graham. Backups — C.J. Fiedorowicz, Ryan Griffin.

Graham is coming off a relatively unproductive season, but could get more involved this year. Fiedorowicz appears to be primed for a breakout second NFL season as a blocker and in a red-zone role. He has is much leaner this year. Griffin is healthy and is a solid all-around tight end.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — DeAndre Hopkins, Nate Washington. Backups — Cecil Shorts, Jaelen Strong, Keith Mumphery, Keshawn Martin.

Hopkins has emerged as the featured wide receiver with Andre Johnson now playing for the Colts, and was displaying signs last season that he was ready to take over as the go-to guy. Washington provides a polished outside presence. Shorts is the primary deep threat. Strong could be a factor in the red zone. Mumphery and Martin factor into the return equation.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Duane Brown, LG Jeff Adams, C Ben Jones, RG Brandon Brooks, RT Derek Newton. Backups — LG Xavier Su’a-Filo, C-G Greg Mancz, RT Kendall Lamm, LT Chris Clark. Others: G David Quessenberry (backup, NFI).

The Texans have had to shuffle their offensive line with left guard Xavier Su’a-Filo being sidelined by a foot-ankle soft-tissue injury. Instead of being the swing tackle, as originally scheduled, Jeff Adams is the starting left guard next to Pro Bowl left tackle Duane Brown, who is dealing with a thumb injury. Brown is in a cast, but didn’t have surgery and is set to play in the opener. Right guard Brandon Brooks is in a contract year and positioned for a huge payday. Newton is an underrated right tackle. Clark is the swing tackle after being acquired in a trade from the Broncos.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — E J.J. Watt, NT Vince Wilfork, E Jared Crick. Backups — DE Jeoffrey Pagan, NT Christian Covington.

Headlining the defense is Watt, reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He is being mentioned in the same breath as past NFL defensive legends Lawrence Taylor and Reggie White. Wilfork anchors the middle of the defense as a massive, two-gapping nose tackle who should keep blockers occupied and away from Watt and the linebackers. Crick is a gritty, steady run-stopper with above-average pass rushing ability. Pagan and Covington (Rice) are capable backups.

LINEBACKERS: Starters — OLB Brian Cushing, OLB Whitney Mercilus, ILB John Simon, ILB Mike Mohamed. Backups — ILB Akeem Dent, OLB Carlos Thompson, OLB Jadeveon Clowney, ILB Justin Tuggle.

Clowney, coming off microfracture knee surgery, is the X-factor. If he can reprise his brilliant play at South Carolina in the NFL, this could be a special front seven. Cushing has regained his old form. Mohamed is a heady, instinctive starting inside linebacker. Mercilus got a new contract after recording five sacks last season. Simon is a weight-room warrior who plays with a nasty streak. McKinney has a sprained knee. Dent is ready to step in and produce if Cushing or Mohamed get hurt.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCB Kareem Jackson, RCB Johnathan Joseph, FS Rahim Moore, SS Andre Hal. Backups — LCB Darryl Morris, LCB Kevin Johnson, RCB A.J. Bouye, FS Lonnie Ballentine, SS Eddie Pleasant, FS Quintin Demps.

The Texans have an enviable cornerback situation with Joseph and Jackson as established starters, the arrival of precocious first-round rookie Kevin Johnson and solid returning corners in Bouye, Morris and Rolle. Moore is a rangy, tall center fielder who joined the Texans via a three-year, $12 million free-agent deal. Strong safety is likely to be split between Pleasant and Hal, a converted cornerback. Demps is a kick returner candidate. Ballentine’s swollen knee is his latest injury problem, but it’s hard to find 6-foot-3, 215-pound safeties with 4.39 speed in the 40-yard dash.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Randy Bullock, P Shane Lechler, LS Jon Weeks, KOR Chandler Worthy, PR Damaris Johnson.

While the return game is unproven, that isn’t the case for the kicking and punting operations. Bullock has a strong leg with 40 touchbacks to tie a league high last season and connected on 11-of-13 field-goal attempts from 40 yards and beyond. Lechler had a 46.3 net average and is a booming punter, but punt coverage was a problem last season. Weeks is ultra-reliable.

PRACTICE SQUAD: G Karim Barton, WR Alan Bonner, ILB Max Bullough, S Kurtis Drummond, QB Zac Dysert, RB Kenny Hilliard, S Corey Moore, DE Dan Pettinato, TE Eric Tomlinson, WR Chandler Worthy.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

2014 TSX DIVISONAL PICK: 3rd

2014 RECORD: 3-13

DIVISIONAL RECORD: 1-5

COACH: Gus Bradley

3rd season as Jaguars/NFL head coach

7-25 overall

Strength of schedule:

Overall .463; Division .458; Non-Division .466.

–TEAM STRENGTH: Tight ends. Even with Julius Thomas out for nearly the entire preseason, this has been an area of strength for the Jaguars. Thomas looked exceptionally good during training camp until he was injured in the opener and there’s no reason to believe he won’t continue at that same pace when he returns. His absence has brought out the best of Marcedes Lewis, who has probably enjoyed his best training camp in his 10 seasons with the Jaguars. Beyond those two, Clay Harbor and Nic Jacobs have displayed flashes at times during the preseason to show that they can deliver when called upon. Harbor had three catches for 33 yards, including a 22-yard pickup last week, while Jacobs contributed two receptions for 39 yards — 15 and 24-yard gains.

–BIGGEST CONCERN: Will kicker Jason Myers prove to be another Josh Scobee? Myers will face pressure like he’s never experienced before. In college, he kicked for FCS Marist, which played in front of fewer than 5,000 fans for its home games. Myers completed his eligibility in 2012, did not kick in 2013 and saw limited action for two teams in the Arena Football League last year. How he will react when 60,000 fans are rooting against him on the road in pressure situations remains to be seen, as he has never kicked under such conditions. If he were to miss one or two early kicks, will that affect his confidence? Lots of unanswered questions surrounding Myers and the Jaguars kicking game.

UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Blake Bortles. Backup — Chad Henne.

The Jaguars feel as good about this position as any on the team. Bortles had an excellent preseason and showed he’s a different quarterback than he was a year ago. His percentage was up, he didn’t throw an interception, he was sacked just twice and he led the team to scores on more than 50 percent of his drives. Bortles just looked like a more confident quarterback; and, with the way the line gave him the needed protection, the Jaguars passing game should be in better shape than a year ago. Henne is a solid backup. He won’t hurt the Jaguars if he has to come in; he just doesn’t have the skill-set that Bortles has.

RUNNING BACKS: Starter — T.J. Yeldon. Backups — Denard Robinson, Toby Gerhart, Bernard Pierce, Corey Grant.

It’s too early to know whether this is going to be an area of strength or concern. It’s not official, but Yeldon will be the starter. He played in one preseason game and the stats suggest he’s nothing special. But Yeldon has shown enough in practice for the coaching staff to know he’s the best the Jaguars have. He just needs game experience. The good news is that the depth is solid. Robinson could be the starter on some other teams, but with Yeldon on board, it will diminish Robinson’s carries. Gerhart showed in the first two preseason games that he’ll be a strong third-down runner; he converted a number of short third-down situations. Pierce and Grant will get limited carries and will be of more help on special teams. Grant’s speed could make him among the fastest players in the NFL this season, and he’ll be a threat to break any kickoff return.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns. Backups — Rashad Greene, Marqise Lee, Bryan Walters.

Robinson and Hurns are solid front-line players, but there’s real concern after that. Both players will need to stay healthy as the Jaguars are not deep here. And, with tight end Julius Thomas out for the first several games, this is a vulnerable unit. Robinson could be ready for a breakout year. He might have finished in the 80-catch range a year ago had he not missed the final six games with a foot injury. Hurns is not flashy but is dependable and has a knack for getting open. The biggest question mark in this unit is the status of Lee. He’s the fastest receiver, but he’s also the most prone to injury. His hamstring injury on Aug. 5 forced him to miss the entire preseason and he’s still not a sure thing for the opener. The surprise could be Greene. The rookie from Florida State has been effective in the slot and has been equally solid in his role as a punt returner. Walters is the fifth receiver and would be the first to go if the Jaguars found a veteran receiver on the waiver wire.

TIGHT ENDS: Starters — Marcedes Lewis, Clay Harbor. Backups — Julius Thomas, Nic Jacobs.

This unit has developed into one of the stronger groups for the Jaguars even with Thomas’ injury. His loss is a blow to the passing game because he adds a dimension that none of the other tight ends can provide, i.e. speed, size, athletic talent. Thomas’ biggest contribution was in the red zone where it was anticipated he would be the team’s go-to guy. Lewis has raised his level of play considerably from what he showed a year ago. Some of that can be attributed to the arrival of Thomas. Harbor has been the one player who has taken up the slack for Thomas’ absence (hand surgery) more than anyone else. If he can stay healthy, Harbor will do more to replace Thomas than anyone else. Jacobs has also shown a knack for getting open and has good hands. He just doesn’t have the same athletic talents as Thomas, nor does he have Lewis’ size. The Jaguars will continue to utilize a two-tight end scheme with Lewis being used as a blocker while Thomas/Harbor is used as a receiver. It was effective in the preseason and the Jaguars will likely continue you with that concept in the regular season. OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Luke Joeckel, LG Zane Beadles, C Stefen Wisniewski, RG Brandon Linder, RT Jermey Parnell. Backups — C Luke Bowanko, G A.J. Cann, G Tyler Shately, T Sam Young.

This unit is the hands-down winner among most improved units on the team. A year ago, the Jaguars allowed 71 sacks, the most in the league. But the additions of Wisniewski and Parnell have filled two areas opposing players had exploited in sacking Bortles. Wisniewski won the training camp battle with Bowanko — but not by a large margin. It wasn’t decided until the week of the Detroit game, the third preseason game. Coaches must now decide whether Bowanko is better than one of the four other starters. He played some guard in college and, in the past few weeks, he has been taking reps at the tackle spots. Parnell is a vast improvement at right tackle. The biggest concern may now be Joeckel, the former first-round draft pick who has yet to live up to that billing. If he falters and can’t keep opposing ends from getting to Bortles, Bowanko could be a replacement for him at left tackle. The depth is good, with Bowanko and Cann able to step in on the starting unit without any letdown. Shately has shown improvement from a year ago, when he surprised a number of people by making the team. Young won the last spot by beating out last year’s starter at right tackle, Austin Pasztor.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LEO DE Chris Clemons, DT Tyson Alualu, DT Roy Miller, DE Jared Odrick. Backups — LEO Andre Branch, LEO Ryan Davis, LEO Chris Smith, DT Sen’Derrick Marks (injured), DT Abry Jones, DT Michael Bennett.

If everyone were healthy, this might be the most solid unit on the team. But there are too many question marks, with potential starters Marks and Branch still nursing injuries that will keep them out of at least the first game. That’s a concern because it affects the depth. Clemons likely would step in at the LEO spot, but he’s more valuable when his reps are restricted to just third-down passing situations. That leaves either Davis or Smith to take on extra duty, which could be a concern. Marks will likely miss up to the first three games and isn’t likely to be as effective as he was a year ago when he was the team’s best defensive lineman. That’s just the nature of ACL injuries a year later. Alualu and Miller are solid at the tackle spots but can’t create the explosion that Marks did last year. The Jaguars are high on Jones and Bennett and won’t be hesitant to include them in the rotation to keep the tackles as fresh as possible.

LINEBACKERS: Starters — WLB Telvin Smith, MLB Paul Posluszny, OTTO Dan Skuta. Backups — WLB LaRoy Reynolds, MLB John Lotulelei, OTTO Thurston Armbrister.

An injury to any of the three starters would create immediate concern. The trio is solid and the team is confident they’ll improve the linebacker play from a year ago. Posluszny must stay healthy. When he went out at midseason with a torn pectoral muscle, the Jaguars were forced to move Smith to the middle. He handled that new assignment with ease, but the Jaguars had no one to replace him on the outside. They were already hurting at the other side so it made for some lackluster play from those two spots in 2014. Skuta seems as good as the Jaguars thought he would be when he signed in March. What the Jaguars will do if one of the starters goes down remains a question. Reynolds would seem to be the most logical to step in and play, but he’s such a value to the team on special teams coaches would prefer he just plays there. Lotulelei and Armbrister have potential and talent; they both just need more experience.

DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD: Starters — LCB Davon House, RCB Aaron Colvin, FS Sergio Brown, SS Johnathan Cyprien. Backups — LCB Dwayne Gratz, LCB Nick Marshall, RCB Demetrius McCray, FS James Sample, SS Josh Evans.

It’s another unit that needed vast improvement from a year ago. House and Brown signed as free agents and make this unit much better than it was a year ago. Colvin was a part-time starter a year ago after being on the sideline in the early going with an injury. He has locked down one of the two corner spots. Cyprien missed much of the preseason with a finger injury. He’s not fully recovered and will wear a protective cast in the first several games until he’s totally cleared. The depth is good as two of last year’s starters are now backups. Gratz and McCray shared time as a starter at a cornerback spot. Evans was a 14-game starter at one of the safety spots. Rookies Marshall and Sample showed enough in training camp to win roster spots. Both will see a lot of action on special teams but will spell others in the secondary on occasion.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Jason Myers, P Bryan Anger, LS Carson Tinker.

Everyone is waiting to see whether retaining Myers and trading veteran Josh Scobee to Pittsburgh was the right decision. Myers will play his first NFL game Sunday. He’ll have home-crowd support for the first two weeks, especially if the Jaguars need a last-minute field goal for a win. He booted kicks up to 60 yards in a scrimmage, so he has the leg. But does he have the nerves to be an NFL kicker? Anger will look to improve on his placement of kicks inside the 20-yard line. Too often his punts rolled into the end zone for touchbacks.

PRACTICE SQUAD: DL Richard Ash, DL Toby Johnson, TE Ben Koyack, WR Rashad Lawrence, DB Craig Loston, OL Chris Reed, WR Neal Sterling, LB Todd Thomas, DB Peyton Thompson, WR Tony Washington.

TENNESSEE TITANS

2015 TSX DIVISIONAL PICK: 4th

2014 RECORD: 2-14

DIVISIONAL RECORD: 1-5

COACH: Ken Whisenhunt

2nd season with Titans

2-14 overall

8th season as NFL head coach

51-67 overall; 4-2 postseason

–TEAM STRENGTH: The Titans don’t seem to have a whole lot of strengths, coming off a 2-14 season, but one area where they appear to be strong is at tight end, where Delanie Walker leads the way. Walker had 63 catches a year ago. The Titans also have Anthony Fasano, a respected veteran, and Craig Stevens, who is back from a knee injury last season. The Titans also have Chase Coffman, Phillip Supernaw and Tevin Westbrook, all of whom have flashed in camp and preseason, and could be candidates for the roster (in Coffman’s case) or practice squad (Supernaw or Westbrook).

–BIGGEST CONCERN: There are plenty of questions about the Titans, but none seem bigger than what to do about the offensive line. For now, the Titans have band-aided the problem by moving veteran Byron Bell to left guard and inserting rookie Jeremiah Poutasi at right tackle. Elsewhere, the Titans feel good about recent first-round picks Taylor Lewan and Chance Warmack. Center Brian Schwenke must be more consistent and stay healthy, though.

UNIT BY UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACK: Starter — Marcus Mariota. Backups — Zach Mettenberger, Charlie Whitehurst.

The Titans have put their future on Mariota, the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner, and thus far, he has looked the part, showing poise and an ability to adapt to a pro-style offense quicker than some believed he could. Mettenberger is starter material, but he will have to bide his time for now. Whitehurst stays around as the veteran mentor to both.

RUNNING BACK: Starter — Bishop Sankey. Backups – Terrance West, Dexter McCluster, Antonio Andrews, FB Jalston Fowler. Others: RB David Cobb (backup, IR/designated for return).

This is a position that is still in flux, as rookie Cobb was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return, meaning he is out at least half the year. Sankey and Andrews are the holdovers, and it will be interesting to see how soon they incorporate West, picked up in a trade Monday, into the offense. Fowler is a fullback with some versatility who could help.

WIDE RECEIVER: Starters — Kendall Wright, Harry Douglas. Backups — Dorial Green-Beckham, Justin Hunter.

The Titans went light here, keeping only four on the initial 53-man roster. Douglas and Wright are the experienced players, while Hunter must step up. Wright could be poised for a big season as he and Mariota seemed to click in preseason. The Titans are also expecting big things eventually from Green-Beckham, their second-round pick who has the size/speed combination to become a star if he can keep out of off-field troubles that plagued him in college.

TIGHT END: Starters — Delanie Walker, Craig Stevens. Backups — Anthony Fasano, Phillip Supernaw, Chase Coffman.

The Titans went heavy here, initially keeping five, before cutting Chase Coffman on Sunday, but then re-signing him. Walker is the bell cow and had 63 catches last year. Stevens is primarily a blocker, while free-agent signee Fasano showed good hands in preseason, as did Supernaw, who bucked the odds to make the final roster.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Taylor Lewan, LG Byron Bell, C Brian Schwenke, RG Chance Warmack, RT Jeremiah Poutasi. Backups — C/G Andy Gallik, G/T Jamon Meredith, G Quinton Spain.

With the trade of Andy Levitre to the Falcons – he had already been benched in preseason – the Titans’ makeover of the offensive line may be complete for now. Lewan is the leader despite being only a second-year player. Warmack improved last season and now Schwenke must do the same. Bell moved from right tackle to left guard when Levitre was benched, making room for Poutasi, a third-round rookie, at right tackle. Other than Meredith, the Titans went young with rookie backups Spain and Gallik.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — DE Jurrell Casey, DT Al Woods, DE DaQuan Jones. Backups — DE Angelo Blackson, DE Ropati Pitoitua, DE Karl Klug, DT Sammie Hill, DE Mike Martin.

The area of strength on the defense. Jones moves into a starter’s role opposite Casey, who is arguably the Titans’ best defensive player. Hill, normally the starting nose tackle, had knee surgery and will be out for the first couple of games, but Woods filled in well in preseason. Klug is a good situational rusher, while Pitoitua is still a solid run-stopper. The Titans are high on Blackson, who can back up on the nose or at end, while Martin still may be a better fit in a 4-3.

LINEBACKERS: Starters — OLB Brian Orakpo, ILB Avery Williamson, ILB Zach Brown, OLB Derrick Morgan. Backups — ILB Wesley Woodyard, OLB David Bass, OLB Deiontrez Mount, ILB Steven Johnson.

The Titans have to hope that their starters stay healthy, especially in the early going. Orakpo has had issues in the past with injuries, but with little depth on the outside, the Titans are counting on him and Morgan to play a lot of snaps. Brown needs to be more consistent and not miss tackles, while Williamson is emerging as a solid all-around player in his second year. Woodyard is the only backup with measurable experience, but he has lost a step. Mount is a raw rookie, while Bass and Johnson were claimed off waivers and will help on special teams but will need some time to learn the defense.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — CB Coty Sensabaugh, FS Michael Griffin, SS Da’Norris Searcy, CB Perrish Cox. Backups – CB Jason McCourty, CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB Cody Riggs, S Marqueston Huff, S Daimion Stafford.

McCourty is normally a starter and the Titans’ best cornerback, but he is out for the opener after groin surgery. The Titans will have to choose between Sensabaugh and Wreh-Wilson, a starter last year who missed much of the preseason with an ankle injury, in the short term opposite Cox. Cox was brought in to shore up this group, along with Searcy. Griffin is the longest-tenured Titans player and still is serviceable when there are good pieces around him. Among the backups, young safeties Stafford and Huff are valuable role players and on special teams. Riggs earned a spot as an undrafted player, but has he bloodlines, as he is the son of former Falcons and Redskins running back Gerald Riggs.

SPECIALISTS: K Ryan Succop, P Brett Kern, LS Beau Brinkley, PR Dexter McCluster, KOR Bishop Sankey, KOR Antonio Andrews.

The Titans extended Succop, Kern and Brinkley in the offseason after solid seasons in 2014. McCluster can handle kickoffs, but the Titans may use Sankey or Andrews there as well.

PRACTICE SQUAD: S Josh Aubrey, RB David Fluellen, G Josue Matias, WR Tre McBride, T William Poehls, WR Rico Richardson, LB Justin Staples, TE Tevin Westbrook.

–Correspondents covering each team for The Sports Xchange contributed material for this report.