With a new coaching staff, it’s fair to say the Tennessee Titans’ defense will look different in 2024. On top of having a new defensive coordinator in Dennard Wilson, multiple new players were added to the defense in free agency, but the biggest move came via trade.
Last week, it was announced that the Titans had agreed to trade for Kansas City Chiefs corner L’Jarius Sneed. The Titans and Sneed also agreed to an extension to keep the standout CB in Nashville for the foreseeable future.
Sneed joins Chidobe Awuzie as a newcomer to the Titans’ secondary. The duo will be replacing Sean Murphy-Bunting, who signed with the Arizona Cardinals, and Kristian Fulton, who signed with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Murphy-Bunting performed admirably in his lone season with the Titans, but Fulton had a miserable year. Sneed and Awuzie are both upgrades and will immediately improve the cornerbacks room.
Currently, the Titans’ CB depth chart looks like this:
| Starter | Second string | Third string |
| L’Jarius Sneed | Caleb Farley | Tay Gowan |
| Chidobe Awuzie | Tre Avery | Anthony Kendall |
| Roger McCreary | Eric Garror |
Sneed gives the Titans a true lockdown corner on the outside, while Awuzie is a very good No. 2 who once looked to be on an elite trajectory before his ACL tear in 2022. McCreary does his best work in the slot, and he should line up there primarily in 2024.
Admittedly, this is a top-heavy group.
Farley is a former first-round pick who has barely been able to get on the field and hasn’t been very good when he has played.
Avery and Garror are former UDFAs. Avery has been decent in a limited role but routinely gets exposed when he gets increased playing time. Garror was quietly good in coverage last season but the jury is still very much out on him.
Gowan and Kendall are roster fillers who will battle it out for a spot in camp.
Now, let’s take a look at what the final depth chart could look like:
| Starter | Second string |
| Chidobe Awuzie | Caleb Farley |
| L’Jarius Sneed | Drafted CB |
| Roger McCreary | Eric Garror |
It will be interesting to see if this new coaching staff can develop Farley. The talent was once there in college, but it has yet to translate to the next level. Ultimately, I believe Farley will get one more chance to prove his worth.
This unit could use some young talent. I expect the team to spend a draft pick on a corner. Perhaps another veteran is needed, as well. If Tennessee does neither of those things, Avery is a favorite to grab a spot.
Regardless, this group should be much improved over last season.
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