After it was revealed which numbers the Tennessee Titans’ 2020 NFL Draft class would wear, the selection by rookie corner Kristian Fulton particularly stood out.
That’s because he chose No. 26, which was the number worn by veteran Logan Ryan, who had yet to confirm he wasn’t coming back to Nashville at that point.
But the No. 26 has a different significance to Fulton. He chose it because 2 + 6 = 8, the number of corners that were taken before him in this year’s draft.
Fulton explained his reasoning on an episode of the “Official Titans Podcast” (H/T Sam Marsdale, 247Sports)
“It’s just a reminder for me everyday that I had eight corners selected before me,” Fulton said. “So, you add it [2+6] up, and it’s a reminder for me everyday.”
Fulton playing with a chip on his shoulder is certainly understandable. After all, he was expected by many experts to go much earlier in the draft than he did.
Some mock drafts had him going as high as in the middle of the first round and he was in the conversation as a top-five corner, but instead he ended up sliding all the way into the end of the second round and right into the lap of the Titans.
That was music to general manager Jon Robinson’s ears. Cornerback was arguably the team’s biggest need going into the draft, but Robinson opted to take a right tackle in the first round instead.
With Fulton sliding, the Titans still got a potential first-round talent at a major position of need late in the second.
Fulton could make a significant impact in his first season. Tennessee clearly has plans to at least try to make him the slot cornerback, the role that Ryan played for the Titans during his time with the team.
He’ll certainly have competition for the role, but playing with a chip on his shoulder will only serve to motivate Fulton more as he prepares for what he and the Titans hope will be a great NFL career.
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