Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi was an active seller at the NFL trade deadline. One of the bolder moves that had critics split was Borgonzi's decision to trade cornerback Roger McCreary to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a late-round pick swap. McCreary was replaced by rookie cornerback Marcus Harris at the nickel spot in the starting lineup.
McCreary was on an expiring contract and the Titans didn't appear to possess interest in re-signing him. Instead, Borgonzi improved the Titans' draft position with a sixth-for-fifth-round swap. Also, McCreary's departure allows the Titans to evaluate Harris in the nickel role before entering the offseason.
Harris made his debut as a starter in the Week 9 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers. The matchup was difficult, with the rookie aligning against seasoned receivers Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen. Harris passed his first test with flying colors, indicating Borgonzi's trade deadline gamble might pay off.
Titans rookie CB Marcus Harris could make fans forget about Roger McCreary
Harris played 28 total defensive snaps against the Chargers. He was credited with allowing just one reception on two targets for three receiving yards, according to Pro Football Focus. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had a passer rating of just 56.3 when targeting Harris in coverage.
Meanwhile McCreary hasn't played a single defensive rep for the Rams in two opportunities. It's been surprising to see McCreary reduced exclusively to special teams in L.A. thus far. Perhaps Borgonzi knew exactly what he was doing when his unpopular trade promoted a youth movement.
It's certainly early to anoint Harris a long-term solution at nickel corner. He's started exactly one game. But Harris' debut as Dennard Wilson's slot cornerback went swimmingly, and he'll receive another opportunity versus the Houston Texans in Week 11 this weekend to continue trending in the right direction.