Advanced stats prove L'Jarius Sneed is perfect fit for Titans defense

Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson has spent the offseason installing an aggressive and attacking-style defense. Wilson, a former pro defensive back and defensive backs position coach, has a clear strategy when it comes to defending wide receivers. His Titans will be adopting a press-man coverage identity.

"For me, I believe in press [coverage]," Wilson said in June. "And I want them [our CB's] to be in front of receivers and challenge the receivers. Ultimately in this game, if you get free access, it's easy for the quarterbacks to complete balls. I want to create hesitation at the line of scrimmage and make them earn it the hard way, make them earn it by throwing the 50-50 balls. Everything else we're going challenge. From Day One, we press everything, period," Wilson concluded.

This should be music to the ears of cornerback L'Jarius Sneed, who the Titans traded for and signed to a multi-year $76.4 million extension earlier this oiffseason. Sneed is among the most physical cornerbacks in the league. His capabilities fit Wilson's press-man coverage ideologies to a tee.

Pro Football Focus recently released an advanced stat that supports this belief. During the 2024 season, their charting began tracking when coverage defenders make contact with a receiver in a route, using that as a basis for determining the most physical coverage defenders in the league.

Unsurprisingly, Sneed made the list, clocking in at No. 4 overall. Sneed made contact with a route-running receiver on 33% of his coverage snaps.

"Sneed’s reputation as a physical cornerback is confirmed," John Kosko wrote. "He used his physicality to great success, as he allowed a low 30.3% completion percentage, forced an incompletion 21.1% of the time, surrendered a 46.0 passer rating and gave up a first down or touchdown on just 18.2% of his targets when making contact with a receiver."

The player who led the entire league in this metric last season was Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell at 40%. Atlanta's secondary coach last year was Steve Jackson, who now coaches the Titans' secondary (and safeties). You're beginning to see a theme.

PFF also credited Sneed with allowing just 42 catches on 81 targets for 406 yards and zero touchdowns last season. His regular-season passer rating allowed of 55.9 was the fifth-lowest in the league among cornerbacks that meet minimum coverage snap requirements. Sneed recorded more interceptions (two) than touchdowns allowed.

All indications are that Wilson will field an aggressive defense with complex pressure packages that places emphasis on manufacturing chaos. Playing that type of attacking-style defense requires physical cornerbacks that can thrive on an island while playing press-man coverage.

Having a legitimate shutdown cornerback like Sneed in the fold will allow Wilson's imagination to run wild.