The Tennessee Titans will enter the 2025 season with a sizable question mark at cornerback. L'Jarius Sneed, last offseason's most notable acquisition, spent the majority of his debut campaign in Nashville sidelined with injury. Sneed missed all of OTAs and minicamp recovering from that same quad injury, and his participation in 2025 hangs over the defense like a dark looming cloud.
Sneed's injury in 2024 created opportunities for younger cornerbacks to receive on-the-job training. With fellow acquisition Chido Awuzie also injured, the Titans had to turn to unforeseen sources at cornerback to get them through the season. Rookie fifth-round cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. ended up playing more snaps than any Titans defender (913).
In the midst of Sneed and Awuzie being sidelined, a glimmer of light emerged from the doom and gloom. The Titans asked Brownlee to do more than originally expected as a rookie. The former Louisville standout was thrust into a starting role in a genuine sink-or-swim scenario.
Jarvis Brownlee Jr. has a good chance to become a core part of Tennessee Titans' long-term plans
There were moments when Brownlee endured the expected baptism of fire, but the competitive cover-man performed admirably, all things considered. Pro Football Focus credited Brownlee with allowing 55 receptions on 81 targets for 663 yards and four touchdowns. His coverage grade of 55.9 was 16th-best among rookie CBs. Only three qualifying rookie cornerbacks played more snaps than he did, all of whom were drafted significantly earlier than he was.
Brownlee now enters his sophomore campaign as an unquestioned starter at boundary cornerback opposite Sneed. If Sneed isn't healthy, it'll be Brownlee that draws Tennessee's toughest boundary assignments in coverage. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson is relying on his second-year scrappy corner.
The Titans didn't do much to strengthen their cornerback unit this offseason. Marcus Harris was drafted in the sixth round. A slew of undrafted cornerbacks will compete for back-end roster spots at training camp.
There is some work ahead for Brownlee, especially from a technical perspective. His scrappy mentality in coverage helped initially draw the Titans to him as a pre-draft prospect. It also got him frequently penalized throughout his rookie season, as Brownlee was whistled for nine total infractions, tied for 11th-most among corners last year, per PFF.
Brownlee was around the football consistently en route to 75 tackles. He was competitive in coverage, totaling nine pass breakups and one interception. Brownlee projects as a core member of the Titans defense for years to come.
There's every reason to believe Brownlee will improve as a sophomore.