The Tennessee Titans made a pair of fifth-year option decisions on Friday after they reportedly declined wide receiver Corey Davis’ but exercised cornerback Adoree’ Jackson’s.
Here’s a grade for each decision.
Corey Davis
It didn’t come as much of a surprise that the Titans decided to not pick up Davis’ fifth-year option.
After being taken with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Davis has failed to produce the way you’d expect a top-five selection to.
He has yet to surpass the 1,000-yard mark in any season of his career, and after posting career-highs in receptions (65), receiving yards (891) and touchdowns (four) in 2018, Davis’ numbers dipped in 2019.
Adding to that, he took a back seat to rookie A.J. Brown, who posted 1,051 yards and nine total scores. Brown is now the clear-cut No. 1 receiver in Nashville.
Don’t get me wrong, Davis is an excellent blocker and a good football player overall, but right now he simply isn’t worth the $15.6 million he’d be set to make in 2021.
Grade: A
Adoree’ Jackson
Another non-surprise, Jackson was a lock to have his fifth-year option picked up after having his best season as a pro.
After a few hiccups on special teams early in the season, Jackson’s coverage did the talking and it got to a point where opposing quarterbacks stopped throwing the ball at receivers he would cover.
When Jackson missed five games during the campaign and Malcolm Butler was placed on Injured Reserve, the Titans’ secondary was in shambles. Once Jackson returned, things noticeably stabilized and he was able to make a significant impact in the Titans’ playoff run.
For his efforts during the regular season, Jackson was ranked as the No. 15 corner in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus.
With some of the veterans of the Titans’ secondary from the last few years set to move on both this year and in the coming years, Jackson is the future. His ever-improving coverage skills, speed and tackling ability gives the Titans a true No. 1 corner with shutdown potential to move forward with.
Jackson is set to make $10.2 million in 2021, which looks like a bargain when you compare it to the $14-plus million Butler will make. The Titans might be wise to extend Jackson before the 2020 season.
Grade: A
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