The Tennessee Titans exited the 2026 NFL Draft with no new additions to the secondary. Titans GM Mike Borgonzi aggressively rebuilt the cornerback room with signings Alontae Taylor, Cor'Dale Flott, and Joshua Williams in free agency. The safety room on the other hand, did not receive the same amount of attention.
Outside of former New York Jets safety Tony Adams, the Titans did not make any flashy moves with the safety position. Instead, they signed USC safety Bishop Fitzgerald once the 2026 Draft concluded. Fitzgerald spent two seasons at NC State before transferring to USC for his final season. After showcasing his ball-hawking ability in 2025, Titans fans should feel excited about the potential in their newest UDFA.
Tennesee Titans have a natural ball-hawk in UDFA Bishop Fitzgerald
In 2025, Fitzgerald recorded five interceptions and finished with a 90.3 defensive grade per PFF, which ranked 7th out of 915 qualifying safeties. Fitzgerald plays with impressive versatility, logging snaps both as a deep safety and in the box. He excels at diagnosing underneath route patterns and quickly closing on the ball, often resulting in a minimal gain.
Fitzgerald will be facing a steep learning curve this summer, but he projects to be a legitimate option to make the 53-man roster. His most natural fit seems to be in the nickel, since his best snaps come near the line of scrimmage. He's a reliable option in man coverage on short to intermediate routes, and his tackling ability could help him earn a special teams role.
It's important to note some wrinkles in his game that could have led to his undrafted status. Fitzgerald occasionally struggled in his run game diagnosis, which often led to an inability to fill gaps. His pursuit angles also allowed additional yardage that could have been prevented. Pass coverage deep down the field was sometimes a liability as well.
Ultimately, a large portion of Fitzgerald's negatives stem from mental mistakes. The physical traits and athletic ability present an intriguing foundation to develop. Enter Robert Saleh and Gus Bradley, you have to feel a little excited about this fresh start for the former Trojan.
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