The Tennessee Titans acquired one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL via trade when they shipped a 2025 third-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for L'Jarius Sneed. The two teams also swapped seventh-round selections. Sneed will spearhead the identity of new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson's defense.
ESPN has been releasing their top 10 lists at every NFL position ahead of training camp marking its return at all 32 facilities. The cornerbacks list was released on Thursday morning. Sneed claimed the No. 4 spot in a league-wide poll consisting of execs, coaches, and scouts, trailing just Pat Surtain II, Denzel Ward, and Sauce Gardner for the top spot.
Execs, scouts, coaches rank Top 10 cornerbacks:
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 18, 2024
*Denzel Ward, L'Jarius Sneed make huge jumps
*Sauce Gardner polarizing -- some view as best, others kept out of top 10 altogether
*Young stars taking out established vetshttps://t.co/mUlQWnUQli
It represents a significant climb up the rankings for Sneed, who finished unranked in ESPN's identical positional poll from last season. Sneed finished as high as No. 1 overall for one voter, though his average finish was weighed to ultimately capture the fourth overall ranking.
"He's such a pain in the ass," an NFC offensive coach said. "You're in for a long day when you play him."
That was the idea behind acquiring Sneed. Wilson wants to play an aggressive defense that attacks opposing offenses and quarterbacks. Sneed, an expert man-cover corner, should fit Wilson's preferred identity like a glove.
"He can struggle with the quick, shiftier players, but with the bigger body receivers, he can dominate as a physical press corner because of his physicality, and he's always up for the challenge," an AFC defensive coach told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "Excels in man or zone. And he has a knack for timely playmaking, and he will come up in run support and tackle."
ESPN Stats & Information credit Sneed with making 13 pass breakups last season. He allowed zero touchdowns despite seeing 90 targets while routinely being asked to shadow opposing No.1 receivers. It's worth acknowledging Sneed can get overly aggressive at times, and was whistled for a league-high 17 penalties last season.
The Titans are counting on Sneed to oversee a revamped secondary this year. He'll be supported by fellow offseason acquisition Chido Awuzie at the opposite boundary cornerback vacancy. Sneed and Awuzie playing the boundary will allow Roger McCreary to focus on playing nickel corner, his most natural position.
The safety room has also received a makeover. Veteran signing Jamal Adams joined the secondary via a one-year contract last week. The Titans are still being linked to free-agent safeties such as Quandre Diggs and Justin Simmons.
Sneed will be the straw that stirs the drink.