Projecting the Tennessee Titans who deserve to make the final roster
By Will Lomas
Defensive back (6): Kevin Byard, Logan Ryan, Kenny Vaccaro, Adoree Jackson, Malcolm Butler, Amani Hooker
So basically this is the MMCNB crew plus Amani Hooker.
Checking off the boxes: Byard is a star, Ryan may be one of the best slot CB in the game and the most versatile CB in the game, Vaccaro makes splashes as a true SS with athleticism, Jackson has had a few hiccups but has been solid for the most part, and Malcolm Butler hasn’t been beaten all preseason.
Why Hooker over everyone else? Well, aside from the fact that he is a draft pick and is running with the first team defense in some looks, he just seems to be more fluid than most rookie DBs when they enter the NFL.
Hooker had a pick last week and flashes against the Philadelphia Eagles in that game. I expect that he will continue to show up, especially in the Titans pass rush package which features a lot of DBs and Evans playing 3-tech.
Dane Cruikshank and Tye Smith both probably make the roster and you could argue that they deserve to, but I haven’t seen anything from either that really makes that case other than a fake punt passing TD by DC.