The Tennessee Titans signed three-time Pro Bowler Jamal Adams to a one-year contract on Thursday. General manager Ran Carthon has been searching for a veteran safety to join the defense all offseason long. Adams comes with significant risk, hence the one-year agreement, but his arrival has a massive impact on the depth chart.
Kevin Byard, K'Von Wallace, and Terrell Edmunds combined to play 983 defensive snaps last season, according to Pro Football Reference. None of those players are in Tennessee anymore. Byard was dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles before the 2023 trade deadline, and both Wallace and Edmunds signed elsewhere in free agency.
So, where does Adams fall on the safety depth chart after signing with the Titans?
Updated Titans S depth chart after signing Jamal Adams
Depth Chart Position | Player Name |
|---|---|
SAF1 | Amani Hooker |
SAF2 | Jamal Adams |
SAF3 | Elijah Molden |
SAF4 | Matthew Jackson |
SAF5 | Mike Brown |
SAF6 | Shyheim Carter |
The Titans were set to enter training camp in approximately two weeks with Amani Hooker and Elijah Molden as the starting safeties. Hooker is a high-upside defender when healthy, but Molden is more of a sub-package player that began making the transition to safety from nickel corner last season. Adding Adams should ensure he stays a rotational and sub-package option.
The depth behind Hooker and Molden was even more concerning prior to Adams' arrival. The third safety was seemingly Matthew Jackson, a second-year undrafted free agent that totaled two defensive snaps last year. Jackson was more of a special teams player, earning 147 snaps in the third phase. He'll continue vying for a special teams role now that he's no longer a potential top-three player at the position.
Shyheim Carter and Mike Brown are also on the roster. Both players have endured several stints on the active roster and practice squad in recent seasons. Brown actually played 113 defensive snaps last season. He earned an overall grade of 60.3 from Pro Football Focus (76.0 versus the run, 58.7 in coverage, where he allowed a passer rating of 102.5).
Carter was only involved in 24 defensive plays. Both he and Brown were facing an uphill battle to make Brian Callahan's initial 53-man roster out of training camp and the preseason. Adams, the sixth overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, will push Carter and Brown further down the depth chart, lessening their 53-man roster likelihood.
The Titans did not select a safety in the 2024 NFL Draft. Seventh-round pick James Williams is making the transition from college safety to pro linebacker. Undrafted safety Keaton Ellis from Penn State is also on the 90-man roster.
The Titans still possess question marks at safety. That's especially true given the lengthy injury history that Adams, Hooker, and Molden all possess, but the defensive staff believes they got better and deeper following Adams' arrival.