Unlikely Titans starter shines in Week 7 opportunity

Life comes at you fast in the NFL. The Tennessee Titans acquired cornerbacks L'Jarius Sneed and Chido Awuzie in the offseason to ensure they had an impressive veteran duo protecting the boundaries of their defense. Fast forward to Week 7, and both Sneed and Awuzie were sidelined with injuries, with the former still being on IR.

Awuzie's absence has forced fifth-round rookie Jarvis Brownlee Jr. into the starting lineup. Sneed was inactive with a quad injury. His inability to suit up, paired with Roger McCreary playing his usual nickel position, meant the Titans needed to elevate another cornerback into base defense.

That player was Darrell Baker Jr., a cornerback the team claimed off waivers in late August after initially finalizing their 53-man roster. Ahead of Sunday's game versus the Buffalo Bills, the Titans also elevated cornerback Tre Avery from the practice squad to the active roster, and they also made rookie UDFA Gabe Jeudy-Lally a standard game-day elevation. Naturally, it was Baker Jr. that earned the start.

Darrell Baker Jr. maximizes his opportunity in Week 7

Baker Jr. played all 55 snaps in Sunday's defeat to the Bills. Both he and Brownlee Jr. played 100% of Tennessee's defensive snaps. The Titans relied on their fill-in boundary starters to carry heavy workloads.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen targeted Baker Jr. on three occasions. Pro Football Focus credited Baker Jr. with allowing just one reception for a 14-yard gain. He also made two defensive stops. Allen saw a passer rating of just 49.3 when attempting throws in his direction.

Baker Jr. was actually Tennessee's highest-graded overall defender at 74.2. His 72.5 grade in coverage was also the highest of any defender in Dennard Wilson's secondary. His five tackles, per PFF, were also tied for the team-high lead.

Baker Jr. initially entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia Southern with the Arizona Cardinals in 2022. He was waived during final cuts, and eventually joined the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad later that rookie season. As a sophomore in 2023, Baker Jr. played in 14 games for the Colts, making six starts, finishing second on the defense in pass breakups with seven.

The Titans entered the season wondering if they had enough cornerback depth behind Sneed and Awuzie. Both Brownlee Jr. and Baker Jr. have played great in coverage when given opportunities. It's been one of few positive developments for the Titans this season.