The Tennessee Titans appear to have gotten great value late in the second round with the selection of cornerback Kristian Fulton, who was projected by many experts to go somewhere in the first or early in the second.
After opting to take a right tackle in the first round, some Titans fans were dismayed that the team didn’t address arguably its biggest need right away.
That frustration quickly subsided when Fulton fell in the Titans’ lap with the No. 61 overall pick.
Here’s what analysts were saying about Fulton prior to the draft.
A two-year starter at LSU, Fulton lined up as the left cornerback in defensive coordinator Dave Aranda’s NFL press-man scheme, also seeing snaps inside vs. the slot receiver. After his one-season ban and two season-ending injuries, he returned to Baton Rouge in 2019 with plenty to prove and he earned high grades in coverage as a senior. Fulton has a patient process to stay under control in his transition movements, displaying the athletic and mental requirements to match receiver steps mid-route. He shows the instincts and toughness to handle nickel duties, but must become a more reliable run defender. Overall, Fulton has room to improve his tackling and body positioning downfield, but he stays in the pocket of receivers with his disciplined process, athletic traits and feel for reading breaks, projecting as an average-level NFL starter.
Press-man cornerback whose 40 percent rate of completion as an LSU Tiger may not tell the entire story as an NFL prospect. Fulton has good size and is usually searching to make plays on the football. He plays with decent eye balance in off-coverage but can be a tad late with response time. Once he gets behind he tends to stay behind against multi-breaking routes and his long speed and recovery burst are below average. Fulton showed improvement throughout the year, but his confidence has been an issue at times. When the pros and cons are balanced, he appears to be a good backup with a chance to work up the ladder.
Jordan Reid, The Draft Network:
Because of so much turmoil during the earlier portions of his career, Kristian Fulton was a bit of a late bloomer, but he came into his own during the ladder portions while in Baton Rouge. Fulton is the prototypical press man corner in a heavy man-to-man scheme. He still has strides to make as far as playing the ball in the air and improving his play strength, but if he’s able to improve in those areas, he has the makings of being a high-end starter on the next level. Because of his upside and the tools that are already present, he will become a potential top-25 pick. All of Fulton’s flaw are correctable with proper coaching, but some patience must be shown in order to reap the benefits of what turns into the final product while his development continues its course.
Fulton is a fluid, lengthy and technically-sound cornerback who brings instant starting potential as a prospect in the first round. He brings solid physicality in press and can also play in off-man, and he has more than adequate athleticism for his position. He should be one of the first defensive backs to come off the board in this year’s draft.
Fulton’s off-field history and 2019 ankle injury might raise flags, but he’s a talented cornerback who worked his tail off to become a better all-around player in his two years at LSU after his suspension. Coaches love him, and scouts think he’s one of the most solid cornerbacks in the class. We agree. Fulton could be a steal in this class.
Tony Pauline, Pro Football Network:
Fulton grades as a first-round pick at the top of this game, but he’s been inconsistent and has had lapses on the field. He possesses the size and physical skills to start at the next level, but he must consistently play at a high level, keep his focus on the field and do the right things off the field.
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