Matt Williamson breaks down Tennessee Titans weakness

Dec 18, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Tennessee Titans cornerback LeShaun Sims (36) intercepts a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Titans won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Tennessee Titans cornerback LeShaun Sims (36) intercepts a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Titans won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Is this really the Tennessee Titans biggest need?

Matt Williamson has been a source of podcast football knowledge since before I knew what a podcast was. I always like to hear/read his takes on the Tennessee Titans.

Last week, Williamson wrote about the biggest needs for each of the teams in the AFC South post draft/free agency.

I have talked about some weakness on the Titans roster, but this is not the first one I would have chosen. Matt Williamson believes that cornerback is the biggest need for the Titans going forward.

More from Titans Draft

In that article he said,

“[Logan] Ryan did his best work in New England in the slot; he does have the size and physical makeup for perimeter duties, but that’s not an area of strength for him. Jackson has rare speed and athletic ability, but doesn’t possess a thick or strong frame. Plus, Dick LeBeau’s history suggests that rookie cornerbacks have a tough time getting on the field in his defense.

In a league where you need three or four quality cornerbacks, Tennessee only has LeShaun Sims and Brice McCain – both of whom are also best in the slot – competing for serious playing time alongside Ryan and Jackson.”

First of all, I agree that it isn’t the deepest position on the Titans roster. They are still looking for a solid anchor on the outside of that defense.

However, I think limiting Ryan to being an average boundary cornerback might be giving him too little credit. He did a lot of great work from the sideline, and it looks like they will view him as a matchup player the way that New England did.

Another thing I argue with a little big is that they have too many slot cornerbacks. I don’t believe that LeShaun Sims is a slot corner. He has great size and ball production playing outside and in limited reps in the NFL.

Live Feed

Titans re-signing Jeffery Simmons leaves a Hulk-sized footprint in AFC South
Titans re-signing Jeffery Simmons leaves a Hulk-sized footprint in AFC South /

FanSided

  • Bergkamp FIFA 23 Challenges: How to Complete the Trophy Titans Icon ObjectiveDBLTAP
  • Other teams should get in on Aaron Rodgers sweepstakesWith the First Pick
  • 3 NFL teams that need to swoop in, steal Aaron Rodgers from the JetsNFL Spin Zone
  • Will the Tennessee Titans trade up for a quarterback?With the First Pick
  • Titans could select local product for latest quarterback projectFanSided
  • There is a clear solution to all of these concerns. Logan Ryan and LeShaun Sims are the starting outside cornerbacks going into the season. On nickel downs, Ryan goes inside and plays the slot while Adoree Jackson plays the boundary spot vacated by Ryan.

    This gives you the best possible matchups and it limits the number of snaps that a rookie cornerback like Jackson will get, which was a concern of Williamson’s.