6 bold and borderline reckless Tennessee Titans predictions
By Brady Akins
Jeffery Simmons Finishes All-Pro, Kristian Fulton Wins DROY
Back to the flaming hot takes.
A second-year player with seven starts under his belt making All-Pro, and a second-round rookie winning defensive player of the year. Far-fetched? Maybe. But far from impossible. In fact, over the last three years, there have been 10 players to make the All-Pro list as sophomores including Titans legend Kevin Byard.
Titans fans know well that the question on Jeffery Simmons was never one of talent. Simmons was viewed by many as one of the five best players in the 2019 draft in regards to skill and upside, but took a fall to the Titans all the way to 19th in the draft based on concerns surrounding a torn ACL.
But Simmons looks to be fully healthy heading into 2020, and by all accounts, he’s been looking great in practice. In his seven starts in 2019, Simmons flashed his potential time and time again, but with a full offseason worth of practice rather than rehab– he might be ready to take the leap from potential into consistency. And along a defensive line where Simmons will be the clearest threat and biggest star, the defensive end could compile the stats for a convincing All-Pro case.
Jeffery Simmons isn’t the only young Titans defender that could make a name for himself in 2020, however. Kristian Fulton, a second-round rookie cornerback, could be in an excellent position to put up some big-time numbers.
Similar to Simmons, Fulton’s talent was never in question entering the draft. The LSU product spent all of 2019 facing off against the best receivers that college football had to offer, and promptly shutting them down. Now, playing in a secondary loaded with talent, Fulton will get the chance to continue his dominance from college without having to carry the load on defense.
Fulton was never a ball-hawk in college, which could keep him from earning recognition from the public. But for a player that’s so skilled in coverage as Fulton his, the cornerback will get his share of opportunities to make plays– maybe even enough for Defensive Player of The Year honors.