Titan Sized
FanSided

Does Leshaun Sims still have the chance to become a starter?

By Jacob Lehnowsky

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

Does LeShaun Sims still have a chance to be a starter at cornerback even with the acquisitions of Logan Ryan and Adoree’ Jackson?

Going into the 2016-2017 offseason, there were two major areas on the Tennessee Titans roster that needed to be upgraded. Depending on who you talked to, cornerback might have been the biggest. This offseason, the Titans acquired Logan Ryan and drafted Adoree’ Jackson to shore up that weakness. The Titans  found two quality starters that have upgraded a large need. I would say most would agree with this statement and that they need to be the starting cornerbacks. Any team would expect a first round selection and a top tier free agent to be on field week one.

With the high expectations, I think both players have questions to be answered. Each player has one question that surrounds them. Will Jackson be able to make the NFL transition immediately or will he need some time to adjust? Can Ryan be the number one cornerback for the Titans? Time will tell over the course of the year, but the team has high expectations and waiting around isn’t an option.

I think that there is a cornerback on the roster that can help fill the gap while the questions become answered: LeShaun Sims, a 2016 5th round selection out of Southern Utah. Sims has played in 13 games and has 2 career starts for the Titans. In 2016, Sims posted the highest game grade by any Titans cornerback in 2016. He also posted an 86.3 PFF grade and hauled in a huge interception to help the Titans in their late-season win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

I can see Sims at least taking the starting job until Jackson is ready. Jon Robinson really loves his small school guys and his late rounders. Hence, why the Titans have been really high on Sims’ potential. Recently on Midday 180, Blake Beddingfield, the former Director of College Scouting for the Titans, stated that the he and the team really like Sims at cornerback.

There is only a small sample of what Sims has done for the Titans, but as a Titans fan, I would not sleep on him. Recently, Bleacher Report posted an article as to who they think will be the surprise starter for Titans in the upcoming season. You guessed it: LeShaun Sims. In conclusion, Sims has the ability to win a starting spot and can take the pressure off of both Ryan and Jackson. Therefore, I wouldn’t be surprise to see Sims in the starting lineup against the Oakland Raiders in the season opener.

Home/Titans News