Titans rookie CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr. continued proving he's a steal in Week 12

Nov 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Tennessee Titans cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (29) breaks up a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (3) during the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Nov 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Tennessee Titans cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (29) breaks up a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (3) during the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
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Tennessee Titans rookie cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. has played the most snaps at the position for the team of any player in 2024. That certainly wasn't the plan entering the season, but with projected starters L'Jarius Sneed and Chido Awuzie spending large portions of the campaign on IR, defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson has been forced to rely on his fifth-round contributor.

Brownlee Jr. has responded to the unexpected workload by proving he was a steal in the 2024 NFL Draft.

From Week 6 onward, Brownlee Jr. has played all but five defensive snaps for the Titans. The former Louisville standout was on the field for 55 of 56 defensive plays in Sunday's Week 12 victory over the Houston Texans. Routinely asked to shadow Texans receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell, Brownlee Jr. came away with his first career interception near halftime, offering the Titans a critical opportunity to hit a field before the first half expired.

Brownlee Jr. wasn't perfect. Pro Football Focus credited him with allowing three receptions on five targets for 91 receiving yards and a touchdown. Despite the challenges and adversity, Brownlee Hr. did what all great corners do. He had a short-term memory and battled snap after snap. His 67.5 grade in coverage was his highest single-game score since Week 6.

All in all, Brownlee Jr. has allowed 31 receptions on 50 targets this season for an above-average completion percentage allowed of just 62%. He's forfeited 477 yards and two touchdowns in coverage. Brownlee Jr. has recorded a competitive five pass breakups due to his physical nature at the catch point. Opposing quarterbacks are seeing a passer rating of 98.5 when targeting him in coverage.

Not bad for a fifth-round rookie, one who's essentially playing the Sneed role in Wilson's defense. Sneed was paid $76.4 million to be Tennessee's No. 1 corner this season. By comparison, Brownlee Jr., the 146th overall selection, is earning a base salary under $800,000 this season, per Over The Cap.

Only three Titans defenders have played more snaps than Brownlee Jr. (534) this season. They are Kenneth Murray (651), Amani Hooker (602), and Harold Landry III (552). His reliability has helped transform a pass defense that still ranks first in the league in passing yards allowed per game at 169.6 despite losing multiple veterans to injury.

The personnel in Tennessee's secondary has looked drastically differently than expected this season due to injuries. DC Wilson has delivered outstanding results nonetheless. The emergence of Brownlee Jr. has been a major positive for the Titans throughout 2024.

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