5 bubble players who need good showing in Titans' preseason finale

The Tennessee Titans will wrap up their preseason schedule against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday afternoon. The game is set for a 1 p.m. CST kickoff.

Head coach Brian Callahan indicated that the starters would play approximately three series after not participating in the game against the Seattle Seahawks last week.

Much like the first two preseason games, the Titans' backups will get some runway before rosters are trimmed to 53 players early next week.

Most roster battles have already been decided, but some still need to be sorted out.

Here are five players who need to deliver strong performances in New Orleans on Sunday.

QB Malik Willis

Mason Rudolph's strong performance and experience have likely secured him the backup quarterback position behind Will Levis. The Titans now need to decide if they want to keep three quarterbacks on their roster. Although Malik Willis has shown improvement in training camp and preseason, he will need to impress against the Saints to convince the Titans to keep him. Otherwise, his tape will be used for his next team.

RB Julius Chestnut

In one of the more intriguing roster battles, Chestnut will look to beat out Hassan Haskins if the Titans keep three running backs on the 53-man roster. Chestnut has looked strong in training camp and carried that over into live-game scenarios. He led the team with 13 carries for 45 yards against the Seahawks and added 29 receiving yards out of the backfield. Haskins has not performed as well as Chestnut but continues to be praised for his work on special teams.

OL Geron Christian

If not for Bill Callahan, I am not sure that the Titans would have signed Geron Christian, who played for the team's offensive line coach twice at previous stops. The 27-year-old logged just 21 snaps last week, the fewest of any offensive lineman on the roster, while Christian's primary competition for the backup left tackle job, Leroy Watson IV, saw 46 snaps.

TE David Martin-Robinson

The Titans are set with their top two tight ends. Now, it's just a matter of which players will fill out depth roles. Martin-Robinson's stock has never been higher, and the Titans coaching staff has spoken highly of the former undrafted free agent's ability both as a blocker and pass-catcher. The 24-year-old had a good showing in Tennessee's second preseason game against Seattle, hauling in three catches for 38 yards. Martin-Robinson will need to do it again against the Saints.

DL Isaiah Iton

Iton has flashed in spurts this preseason, notably recording two sacks and 1.0 sack last week against Seattle. However, the undrafted free-agent signing is buried in the depth chart behind Jeffery Simmons and TK McLendon Jr. at the defensive tackle position. Head coach Brian Callahan voiced his concerns about the defensive line depth earlier this week, with Marlon Davidson landing on the injured reserve (IR) and McLendon sidelined (turf toe). Iton can take measurable steps toward alleviating those concerns on Sunday.

OLB Shane Ray

At one time, there seemed to be a path for Shane Ray to make the Titans' 53-man roster. However, following Arden Key's suspension reversal, paired with Jaylen Harrell's emergence, the outside linebacker position, once one the thinnest on the roster, looks like a strength. Ray has not logged an NFL snap since 2018 and has been rather quiet through the first two preseason games.