Titans’ new cornerbacks showed progress, but one major concern lingers

The Tennessee Titans added Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott to help settle a secondary that needed answers. Instead, the early reaction has been split. Taylor’s three training-camp interceptions showed real playmaking ability, while preseason coverage mistakes have put both new corners under a microscope.

The scrutiny does not erase why the Titans added them in the first place. According to Pro Football Focus, Taylor finished 2025 with a 66.8 coverage grade, while Flott ended at 68.1. Both were above the 62.6 average among PFF-qualified NFL cornerbacks.

Tennessee Titans' preseason concerns in the secondary shouldn't be ignored

The preseason concerns were on full display against the Seattle Seahawks. On their opening drive, the TE/FB went in motion, Taylor and Kevin Winston Jr. both followed him, and Elijah Arroyo was left open up the middle for an easy touchdown.

The next drive was a different kind of breakdown. Seahawks running back Jacardia Wright came through the middle untouched, but the play should not have turned into a long touchdown. Taylor stayed wide instead of working back inside, and once Wright hit the open field, nobody had an angle to stop him. It should have been a 10- to 15-yard gain as opposed to a 69-yard touchdown.

Flott’s night against the Seahawks included a costly mistake, but it wasn't a bad showing overall. PFF still gave him a 71.1 defensive grade, but he wiped out a Winston interception with a soft illegal contact penalty.

The bigger coverage concern came in the preseason opener against the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers went right at Flott on their first drive of the second quarter, including a deep completion to rookie De’Zhaun Stribling down the sideline. Flott later drew a pass interference penalty near the goal line. PFF gave him a 30.0 coverage grade in that game.

Tennessee Titans HC Robert Saleh has to clean up coverage concerns

The preseason tape gave Saleh a clear place to start. If Taylor and Flott are going to be part of the answer, the Titans have to be sharper with motion, assignments and run support.

Taylor’s 2025 production shows why Saleh should not simply ask him to play safe. His seven pressures and two sacks gave the defense a corner who can be used near the line of scrimmage. Flott’s job can be simpler: play sound coverage outside while Taylor is used more aggressively.

Saleh’s best early move may be keeping the calls simple. The first Seahawks touchdown showed how quickly motion can create confusion when the defense is not on the same page. Give Taylor chances to attack, make sure he has help when he does, and let Flott settle into coverage with a clear responsibility.

That is the real test before the regular season. Saleh has to turn two talented but different corners into reliable pieces of the same unit. If he does, the preseason frustration will look more like a correctable problem than a warning sign.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow