Right around this same time last year was when it happened. Tennessee Titans fans were really charged up about the 2020 season. One year prior, after squeaking into the postseason by the skin of their teeth, the two-tone blue had fought their way into the AFC Championship Game, and with the addition of a couple of young studs in the first two rounds of 2020’s NFL Draft (Isaiah Wilson and Kristian Fulton), fans were really charged up about the season.
Then, weird things just started happening. Tennessee’s third-round draft choice, Darrynton Evans, started battling injury. Fulton endured more than his fair share of nicks and bruises. We won’t even get into Wilson’s issues.
Here we are though, thinking about 2020 and, once again, trying to manage the excitement that comes along with expectations. A year ago, once the season got going, one of the most publicized issues was an inability of the Titans defense to get to the passer. That led to huge chunk plays through the air, especially when Adoree Jackson was placed on the shelf.
Either way, the two-tone blue should be better in the secondary in 2021, particularly in the cornerback room, and the current youth movement could be what the doctor ordered.
The Tennessee Titans could field three cornerbacks who are under the age of 24
Tennessee’s got some babies in the secondary. The aforementioned Fulton turns 23 on September 3rd. Caleb Farley turns 23 in November. He’ll start. He’s going to be a star (if his body holds up). Janoris Jenkins, the elder statesman, is 32, but the Titans added another cover guy during the 2021 NFL Draft, Elijah Molden. He’s 22.
The Tennessee Titans are following a familiar formula for winning. Build through the draft with guys who are on rookie deals. Substantiate what the roster is missing with proven veterans (but don’t overdo it). The Titans have a nice mix of grisly veterans and young guns in the secondary. Pro Football Focus graded Tennessee’s secondary as the 21st-best in pro football.
They’ll be better than that. The improvements they’ve made all over the defense will lead to some fireworks in 2021. You just wait and see.