The Titans will have to cut down from the 90 players currently on the team to 53 by 3:00 PM Central on Saturday. Cuts will probably start leaking out as guys get called in over the next two days though. If you’ve ever seen Hard Knocks you know how this goes. Guys get a phone call from someone in the team office asking them to come in http://www.titansauthorizedshops.com/authentic-austin-johnson-jersey , they meet with the GM who explains that the team is releasing them, and usually offers some words of encouragement or advice. If the team wants to get that player back on the practice squad they usually give them a heads up then that they want them to stick around town for a couple days since players have to be formally released prior to 3:00 on cutdown day and then re-signed to the practice squad the next day. Those conversations will likely start this morning and stretch until just before the deadline so the news of who is getting released typically trickles out one or two at a time.Here are the 53 players I expect to make the roster along with 10 practice squad projections below. QuarterbackLocks: Marcus Mariota, Blaine GabbertWork to do: Luke FalkThere is zero reason to keep Falk around on the 53-man roster. In fact, I don’t know that I’d be thrilled to give him a practice squad spot. I will put him on the practice squad for this exercise since the Titans will need more than two quarterbacks to make it through practices over the course of a 16 game schedule, but I think the chances of the team grabbing a player that gets released by another team are pretty decent. If Josh Dobbs gets released by the Steelers as expected, he could be an option. Projection: (2) Mariota, GabbertRunning BackLocks: Derrick Henry, Dion Lewis, David FluellenWork to do: Akrum WadleyLongshots: Dalyn Dawkins, Lenard TilleryThis is one of the most fascinating spots on the roster to me. The top three of Henry, Lewis, and Fluellen are locked in, but after that it’s anybody’s guess. I liked Wadley to make the team coming in to camp, but I’m not sure he’s done enough during preseason — partially due to injury — to really make a strong case for them keeping four. However, he’s the best pass catching back outside of Dion Lewis and he has some wiggle to his game that could make him a nice Lewis Lite-type fill in if the former Patriot went down for a few games. Dawkins entered with much less fanfare, but arguably outperformed Wadley in preseason action. The problem with him is that he’s a very small runner who is also not a great natural pass catcher out of the backfield, as evidenced by his dropped easy touchdown pass on Thursday night. There isn’t a ton of demand for that type of player.There are a couple of “name” type running backs who could end up cut by their respective teams in Ameer Abdullah of the Lions and DeAndre Washington of the Raiders. They — or other lesser known talents elsewhere — could be guys to keep and eye on if the Titans aren’t completely sold on Wadley or Dawkins. I’ve projected the Titans keeping four backs the entire time I’ve been doing this exercise and I’m going to stick with it, but I don’t feel great about this one.Projection: (4) Henry, Lewis, Fluellen, WadleyWide ReceiverLocks: Corey Davis, Rishard Matthews, Taywan Taylor, Tajae SharpeWork to do: Darius Jennings, Nick Williams, Deontay Burnett, Devin RossLongshots: Jordan Veasy, Brandon Shippen Authentic Derrick Henry Jersey , Cameron BatsonInjured Reserve: Michael CampanaroThis is another spot where I think there are some questions. If Nick Williams was healthy I would say it’s a clear group with Williams and Jennings joining the four listed as Locks above. However, Williams’ injury has at least cracked the door a little bit for Deontay Burnett.I think Jennings is in based on the way Vrabel has talked about him over the course of camp and preseason. He often refers to “DJ” in the same breath as guys like Taylor and Sharpe and even made Jennings one of the team captains on Thursday night as a way to honor him for his work this preseason. Jennings also has played well on special teams, as a gunner on punt coverage especially, and that’s going to be important for whichever of these guys grabs these last couple spots.To me the final spot comes down to Williams versus Burnett. Williams’ hamstring issue probably keeps this from being a lock. Without knowing how serious that hammy is hurt, it’s hard to say which way this one goes. I’m going to lean towards Burnett for now. He’s healthy and available and at just 20 years old he still has a real chance to develop in to a good NFL player. Projection: (6) Davis, Matthews, Taylor, Sharpe, Jennings, BurnettTight EndLocks: Delanie Walker, Jonnu Smith, Luke StockerWork to do: Anthony FirkserLongshots: Tim Semisch, Ethan Wolf, Jerome CunninghamAs much as I loved Anthony Firkser early in camp, there are only three NFL tight ends currently on this roster. I wouldn’t be shocked if they preferred to keep four here — their base offense is listed as 12 personnel and they use 13 personnel from time to time at least — but I don’t know if Firkser is that guy. This could be another position to watch during roster cuts for other teams. Projection: (3) Walker, Smith, StockerOffensive LineLocks: Taylor Lewan, Ben Jones, Jack Conklin, Josh Kline, Dennis Kelly, Quinton Spain, Corey Levin, Kevin PamphileWork to do: Cody Wichmann, Xavier Su’a-Filo, Tyler MarzLongshots: Aaron Stinnie, Elijah Nkansah, Nico Falah Youth Delanie Walker Jersey , Laurence GibsonI feel like it’s been hard to gauge how much they like some of the backup linemen based on preseason usage. The rotations have been pretty much the same from beginning to end with the exception of Pamphile briefly replacing Kline with the first team in Pittsburgh. I’m going to operate under the assumption that Jack Conklin will be on PUP to start the season and missing the first 6 games. We’ve heard that he’s been working out on the side at practices lately but it doesn’t sound like he’s particularly close right now. If he avoids PUP, that would be great news.My gut feeling here is that Levin and Pamphile are relatively safe. Levin has played well in the preseason and has center-guard versatility. Pamphile hasn’t played as well, but he can play tackle or guard and was the first guy in the game when Kline came out. The 8th guy is where I have trouble. I thought Marz was close last year and I think he is this year as well. Like Pamphile, he offers tackle-guard flexibility and has consistently been pretty good here. I think he’s the 8th right now, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see Su’a-Filo or Wichmann sneak on here either.Projection: (8) Lewan, Spain, Jones, Kline, Pamphile, Kelly, Levin, MarzPUP: ConklinDefensive LineLocks: Jurrell Casey, DaQuan Jones, Austin Johnson, Bennie Logan, Julius WarmsleyWork to do: David King, Matt DickersonLongshots: Mike Ramsay, Du’Vonta Lampkin, Francis KallonI still think Warmsley should be a lock here after a great camp and preseason. I think Matt Dickerson is probably destined for the practice squad in all likelihood. David King did finally show up against the Vikings, but I’m not sure if that will be enough to make it on the roster.Projection: (5) Casey, Jones, Johnson, Logan, WarmsleyOutside LinebackerLocks: Brian Orakpo, Derrick Morgan, Harold Landry, Aaron Wallace, Kamalei CorreaWork to do: Sharif Finch http://www.titansauthorizedshops.com/authentic-taylor-lewan-jersey , Josh Carraway, Tobenna OkekeLongshots: Tony WashingtonThe addition of Correa likely means that either Carraway or Finch will be left off the roster tomorrow. I expect Carraway to be the odd man out here. Finch has been working higher in the rotation and has been more impressive in preseason action.Projection: (6) Orakpo, Morgan, Landry, Wallace, Correa, FinchInside LinebackerLocks: Rashaan Evans, Wesley Woodyard, Jayon BrownWork to do: Will Compton, Daren Bates, Robert SpillaneLongshots: Nyles Morgan, Deontae Skinner, Jeff KnoxInjured Reserve: Nate PalmerSpillane has at least worked himself in to the roster conversation. I think the 5th spot here comes down to him against Bates. Maybe this is me buying in to the hype, but I’m putting him on over Bates.Projection: (5) Evans, Woodyard, Brown, Compton, SpillaneCornerbackLocks: Malcolm Butler, Adoree’ Jackson, Logan Ryan, LeShaun SimsWork to do: Rico Gafford, Kenneth DurdenLongshots: Trey Caldwell, Joshua KaluInjured Reserve: Tye Smith, Kalan ReedGafford has had moments, but Durden has had more. I think he’s the clear pick for CB5. Maybe the Titans keep 6 here but I think 5 is more likely the number considering the fact that some of the safeties can play corner if needed.Projection: (5) Butler, Jackson, Ryan, Sims Corey Davis Jersey , DurdenSafetyLocks: Kevin Byard, Kenny VaccaroWork to do: Dane Cruikshank, Kendrick Lewis, Demontre Hurst, Brynden Trawick, Steven TerrellLongshots: Damon Webb, Jason ThompsonInjured Reserve: Johnathan CyprienThis spot has some injury questions. Cruikshank and Lewis have both been dealing with injuries and may or may not be full go by Week 1. That could lead to extra numbers here. Vaccaro, Cruikshank, and Hurst all have experience playing some corner at one level or another which is part of why I think the Titans could go light at that spot. Hurst and Lewis I think are the shakiest of this group, but I have them on the roster. Projection: (6) Byard, Vaccaro, Cruikshank, Trawick, Lewis, HurstSpecialistsKicker: Ryan SuccopPunter: Brett KernLong Snapper: Beau BrinkleyThe Titans also have punter Austin Barnard in camp, but clearly, the Titans are set with the same excellent group they had last year.Last Four In, First Four OutBorrowing from ESPN’s Bracketology, here are the eight guys that I have straddling the cut line right now. The “Last Four In” are the guys that I view as roster spots 50-53 right now, while the “First Four Out” are the guys I think are the closest among those on the outside looking in right now.Last Four In: Tyler Marz, Deontay Burnett, Demontre Hurst, Robert SpillaneFirst Four Out: Nick Williams, Rico Gafford, Daren Bates, David KingI’m a slight defense lean with 23 offensive players, 27 defenders, and 3 specialists. Last season the Titans initial roster was even more unbalanced in favor of the defense with just 22 offensive players compared to 28 defenders Authentic Kamalei Correa Jersey , though it moved more neutral before the season actually started. Defenders are usually better special teamers so you generally won’t see it tilt the other way.Practice SquadTeams can add 10 players to the practice squad after cutting down from 90 to 53 on the roster. There are several rules with regards to which players are eligible to be added to this group and you can check those out in depth here. Here is my guess for the 10 that the Titans would try to keep if the cut down was today.Luke Falk, QBDalyn Dawkins, RBDevin Ross, WRAnthony Firkser, TENico Falah, C/GDu’Vonta Lampkin, DLMatt Dickerson, DLJosh Carraway, OLBRico Gafford, CBDamon Webb, SThe issue with projecting practice squad spots is that teams can steal players off a team’s practice squad if they want them on their 53-man roster and the Titans may find other players who were cut elsewhere that they like more than one of the guys they currently have. There is almost certainly at least one player on another roster right now that will end up on the Titans roster in some form or fashion before they take a snap Week 1.Cuts will start leaking out throughout the day today. What did I miss? Here comes Sam-ta Claus!New York Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold traded in his football pads and green and white jersey for some extra padding, a fake beard and a red white Santa outfit recently to surprise some unsuspecting kids at a New Jersey mall.In a video posted by Bleacher Report on Wednesday night, Chris Simms and Adam Lefkoe, hosts of the "Simms & Lefkoe Show" hit the Livingston Mall 鈥?about 3陆 miles from the Jets' training facility 鈥?with a decked-out Darnold.Darnold set up shop as Santa with Simms and Lefkoe dressed up as elves at a picture-taking area and put kids on his lap to hear their Christmas wishes. The 21-year-old disguised quarterback was asked to bring them everything from puppies to skateboards to toy guns.One boy caused "Santa" to pause, though, when he asked for a Saquon Barkley jersey."A Saquon Barkley jersey?" Darnold asked the boy, almost dejectedly.A few moments later, another boy asked for the jersey of the Giants' rookie running back who was taken one pick ahead of Darnold at No. 2 overall in the draft."Saquon?" a disappointed Darnold asked him."Do watch football?" he asked another youngster. The boy said yes, and Darnold asked what team he roots for."The Packers," the boy answered. Green Bay happens to be Darnold's opponent Sunday.Finally, another boy named Blake approached while wearing a Jets No. 14 Darnold jersey."That's a really cool jersey you've got on there," Darnold told him. "Who's your favorite player on the Jets?"The boy answered: "Sam Darnold or Jamal Adams."Darnold nodded his head and said, "I think maybe one day you'll be able to meet one of those guys. Maybe next year, though."Darnold then threw a bunch of passes to the young kids before heading to the bathroom to change into his Jets jersey and a green and white Santa hat 鈥?while leaving on his red and white pants. Lefkoe then introduced Darnold as one of Santa's friends: the Jets' starting quarterback.It left lots of the wide-eyed youngsters speechless before they ran over to Darnold to sack him with hugs and high-fives.There was just one thing left for Darnold/Santa to do before heading back to the North Pole, err, the Jets' team facility: leading the kids in a big "J-E-T-S" chant.