Titans' L'Jarius Sneed trade is aging poorly (but all hope isn't lost)

The Tennessee Titans made an aggressive trade for cornerback L'Jarius Sneed in the offseason because they believe he's capable of shadowing opposing No. 1 wide receivers on a weekly basis. General manager Ran Carthon reinforced that belief by not only parting with a third-round selection for his services, but he also doubled down by signing Sneed to a four-year extension worth $76.4 million.

Fast forward five showings into the 2024 campaign and Sneed has not met those sizable expectations. He played his worst game of the young season in Sunday's defeat to the Indianapolis Colts, one that dropped the Titans to a hapless 1-4 and 0-3 at home. Sneed was routinely torched by both starting Colts wideouts Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman Jr.

It was a disastrous final drive for Sneed, who awarded the Colts favorable field position via a 33-yard pass interference penalty because he held Pierce's arm, who had gotten behind him. Players later, Sneed surrendered the Colts' game-winning touchdown to Pittman Jr.

Colts quarterback Joe Flacco floated the ball off his back foot as Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson brought pressure on 3rd-and-9. Sneed was singled up on the 6-foot-4 Pittman Jr., who has made a lot of money making jump-ball catches like that one. But the Titans paid Sneed to place the clamps on critical downs, and he hasn't been consistent.

Pro Football Focus assigned Sneed a coverage grade of 30.4 on Sunday. Entering the contest versus the Colts, he had individual coverage grades of 35.7, 48.8, 54.8, and 65.8. It felt harsh, considering Sneed went into Sunday having allowed just five receptions on 12 targets (41.6%) for 65 yards and zero touchdowns.

But even then, there had been cause for concern when analyzing the tape. Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill got the better of Sneed on several occasions, but backup Dolphins quarterback Tyler "Snoop" Huntley couldn't get him the ball. In the first quarter against Indianapolis, reserve receiver Ashton Dulin created significant separation against Sneed, but Flacco overshot him. It's those plays on tape that had PFF penalizing him despite the raw numbers being "good."

Sneed has also been whistled for four penalties in five contests. It's no surprise given his aggressive approach led all cornerbacks in infractions last season. The Titans are willing to live with the penalties, so long as he's locking down the opposition's go-to target. Wilson recently called Sneed the "best cornerback in the NFL." He's currently not meeting that expectation.