Tag: Chidobe Awuzie

Projecting Titans’ CB depth chart after L’Jarius Sneed trade

Bryce Lazenby breaks down the Titans’ cornerback depth chart after the L’Jarius Sneed trade.

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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Full breakdown of Chidobe Awuzie’s contract with Titans

Contract details for the Titans’ three-year deal with CB Chidobe Awuzie.

The biggest and only addition they’ve made to their secondary thus far, the Tennessee Titans signed former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Chidobe Awuzie in free agency this offseason.

Awuzie’s contract is for three years and $36 million, and includes $19 million fully guaranteed, per Over the Cap. The $12 million annual average ranks 14th at the position.

As has been the case with each of the Titans’ biggest free-agent signings so far this offseason, Awuzie has a low Year 1 cap hit, coming in at just $6.9 million. The cap hit rises to $14.5 million in Year 2 and 3.

Here’s the full breakdown, per OTC:

Via Over the Cap

In terms of outs, Year 3 is the best avenue, as the Titans will be hit with a dead-cap charge of just $2.5 million and a cap savings of $12 million if Awuzie is cut in 2026.

It’s far more expensive in Year 2, with Awuzie accounting for $12.5 million in dead money if cut pre-June 1, and $10 million if cut post-June 1. Those two avenues would save just $1.9 million and $4.4 million, respectively.

Overall, this is a good deal for the Titans.

They aren’t stuck in a long-term commitment and the money is fair for the caliber of cornerback Chido is. Not to mention, he was one of the best options available at the position in free agency.

And, if he returns to the form we saw prior to his 2022 ACL tear, it’ll be an absolute steal.

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Titans CB Chidobe Awuzie having trouble picking a jersey number

Titans CB Chidobe Awuzie revealed he’s having a tough time deciding what number he’ll wear.

One of the first orders of business for players when they sign with a new team is to pick a number, something cornerback Chidobe Awuzie and the rest of the Tennessee Titans’ free agents are currently in the process of doing.

But Awuzie is apparently having an issue trying to figure out what number he’ll wear, as he revealed on social media on Saturday.

“All the good numbers taken, [I don’t know] what [I’m going to] wear this year,” he tweeted.

Awuzie wore No. 22 during his three years with the Cincinnati Bengals, which is, of course, Derrick Henry’s old number. It isn’t clear if the Titans won’t let him wear it, or if he simply doesn’t want to out of respect.

Over four years with the Dallas Cowboys, Awuzie wore No. 33 and No. 24. The latter is currently taken by defensive back Elijah Molden, and cornerback Eric Garror wears No. 33.

His college digit, No. 4, is also taken by punter Ryan Stonehouse, so there’s another roadblock for him. Chido is also out of options with other single digits, with Nos. 0-9 either taken or retired by the franchise.

The good news for Awuzie is that he’ll have a lot more money in his bank account after signing his deal with the Titans, so maybe he flexes his financial muscle and buys a number from one of his teammates.

Let the Chido number watch begin.

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Titans CB Chidobe Awuzie’s philosophy a perfect match for Dennard Wilson’s defense

New Titans CB Chidobe Awuzie’s philosophy matches perfectly with defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson’s.

Tennessee Titans Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie wants to help build the team’s culture on defense, and the goal is for the unit to be “aggressive in our approach.”

What does that mean? Awuzie explained during his introductory press conference on Thursday.

“That means that — aggressive in our approach — leave no stone unturned,” he said, per Titans Radio. “Any question that we have in the meeting room, let’s not leave this meeting room without fireworks flying. Let’s get it all out there, have uncomfortable conversations. On the field, as well, obviously, I think that speaks for itself. Football is a physical sport and you either attack or be attacked. So, I definitely want to be the attacker.”

Everything Awuzie said very much falls in line with what defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson is looking to instill in his defense.

“We are going to talk about having obnoxious communication,” Wilson said in February. “We are going to talk about brotherhood, playing as one.”

“We are going to be an attacking defense,” he added. “We are going to be violent in our approach. We are going to be smart, we are going to be intelligent, we are never going to compromise for competing, and that is the brand of football we are going to play around here.”

Like Wilson, Awuzie also talked about a team being a brotherhood when explaining what he brings to the table in Tennessee.

“I’m a competitive guy,” Awuzie said, per AtoZ Sports Nashville. “Really physical, technician, and I think I’m a brother. I’ve always been a part of a brotherhood, or a team and been able to excel in a locker room in a culture of winning. So, when that’s the standard — which I feel like it is here — I feel like they get the best of me. I’m really excited to implement what I have, also to earn the respect of everyone in the building. That’s my No. 1 goal.”

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Grade for Titans’ expected signing of CB Chidobe Awuzie

Bryce Lazenby gives the Titans a near-perfect grade for their expected signing of CB Chidobe Awuzie.

The Tennessee Titans were busy to start the legal tampering period on Monday.

The team started things off by reportedly agreeing to terms with running back Tony Pollard. Then, the team pivoted to the offensive line and agreed to a deal with Lloyd Cushenberry

In the afternoon, the Titans turned their attention to the defense and agreed to a deal with veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, who was the first of two defensive signings, along with linebacker Kenneth Murray.

Awuzie is a solid veteran who racked up 57 tackles and six passes defensed in 2023 for the Cincinnati Bengals. For his performance, Awuzie earned a 62.6 PFF grade.

For reference, Roger McCreary was the only Titans corner to score a higher grade than Awuzie last season.

The addition of Awuzie is even more critical after the news of Sean Murphy-Bunting agreeing to a deal with the Arizona Cardinals. Awuzie will step into the outside corner role and will help mentor a young Titans secondary.

As far as compensation, Awuzie will reportedly get a three-year deal worth $36 million, with $23 million guaranteed.

That averages out to $12 million per season, which is the 14th-highest average salary among all corners in the league, according to Spotrac. Awuzie checks in at 15th among corners in guaranteed money.

So, while the number seems large, this could end up being a bargain for the Titans if Awuzie plays up to his potential.

In 2021, Awuzie collected 64 tackles, two interceptions, and 14 passes defensed passes. PFF awarded the corner an elite 83.3 grade for his performance in that season.

The 28-year-old tore his ACL in 2022 in the midst of a great season and didn’t quite regain his form in 2023. However, with another offseason of healing, Awuzie could be right back to his pre-injury form.

The Titans needed a reliable, veteran corner, and Awuzie is just that. In a weak corner market, the Titans got arguably the best option at a reasonable price. It’s hard to be mad at that.

Grade: A

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Titans agree to terms with CB Chidobe Awuzie

The Titans have reportedly agreed to a three-year deal with former Bengals CB Chidobe Awuzie.

The Tennessee Titans have reportedly agreed to another significant signing in free agency, with the team set to ink former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback, Chidobe Awuzie.

The news comes from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Awuzie is expected to sign a three-year deal worth $36 million, with $23 million guaranteed, which is a solid deal.

This is another good get for the Titans. Awuzie was one of the better corners on the open market and is a solid player to have at the top of the depth chart, or a really good No. 2, at worst.

Awuzie, who is already familiar with Titans head coach Brian Callahan from their days together in Cincy, gave up a completion rate of 63.2% and a passer rating of 113.5 in coverage on 57 targets in 2023.

Pro Football Focus gave the 28-year-old an overall grade of 62.6, a run defense grade of 68.0 and a coverage mark of 62.3.

It’s important to note that Awuzie was in his first year back from a torn ACL suffered in 2022 and has proven he’s capable of better in years past.

He’s given up a 60% completion rate or lower in his previous five seasons, and has surrendered a passer rating of 96.4 or lower in four of those campaigns.

In the eight games prior to his ACL tear, Awuzie posted career-bests in completion rate allowed (38%) and passer rating surrendered (53.4) and looked very much the part of a No. 1 cornerback.

With Kristian Fulton almost certainly gone and Sean Murphy-Bunting expected to leave for the Arizona Cardinals, Awuzie becomes an even bigger addition to the secondary.

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1 pending free agent the Colts could target from each AFC team

Taking a look at one pending free agent for the Colts from each AFC team.

With free agency right around the corner, the Indianapolis Colts have the chance to make some key additions to a roster that already has some promise.

Working with some of the most salary-cap space in the NFL this offseason, general manager Chris Ballard and the front office can continue to add pieces to the defensive side of the ball while improving the supporting cast for quarterback Anthony Richardson.

Re-signing some of their own players like Michael Pittman Jr., Grover Stewart and Kenny Moore II will be key. But they also could look around the conference to bring in some outside talent.

We know Ballard isn’t one to make huge splashes in free agency, but they are still going to be an active team even if it means simply adding depth.

After taking a look at potential NFC targets, here’s a look at one pending free agent from each AFC team that should interest the Colts:

Titans named best fit for pair of top-50 pending free agents

While the Titans were named the best fit for two notable pending free agents from other teams, they were not named the best fit for two of their own.

The Tennessee Titans are facing a rebuild this offseason but can get a great jump start on it thanks to the wealth of cap space and pair of top-40 draft selections the team has.

After having financial constraints last offseason, the Titans are set to have about $65.2 million in cap space this offseason, per Over the Cap, which is the fourth-most in the NFL.

That’s based on a salary cap figure of $242 million, but Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reports it could go as high as $250 million. The league hasn’t revealed what the number will actually be yet.

Bear in mind, Tennessee can open up more cap space by making cuts, of which there is expected to be at least one with left tackle Andre Dillard.

Three of Tennessee’s biggest needs are at left tackle, wide receiver and cornerback.

In a recent article naming the best fit for each of ESPN’s top-50 free agents, Matt Bowen named the Titans as ideal landing spots for two of them, while also naming other teams as best fits for two of Tennessee’s own free agents.

Here’s a look at what Bowen had to say about each of them and some of our thoughts.

Ranking 2024’s top 12 free-agent cornerbacks

Top cornerbacks entering free agency in the 2024 offseason

The Carolina Panthers have lacked cornerback depth for a few seasons now. Will this be the offseason where they finally address it?

Here are the top 12 free-agent cornerbacks of 2024:

10 CBs the Colts should target in free agency

Taking a look at free-agent CB options for the Colts.

There is some potential in the cornerback group for the Indianapolis Colts but it’s the same old offseason story of a position group with promise that should add a veteran in case they don’t live up to the billing.

General manager Chris Ballard has taken his chances in this scenario in the past and it hasn’t always worked out for him. If he wants to stabilize the group, then a top-tier corner should be pursued heavily.

If he can’t land one, then a veteran to push the younger corners has to be considered. Ballard also has to keep an eye on nickel corners if he doesn’t re-sign Kenny Moore II and could use one for depth even if he is back for the 2024 season.

We should note that we understand a handful of these players won’t even hit the market, but we’re working under the hypothetical scenario that they become available, regardless of how slim the chances are.

If Chris Ballard decides to add to the position group via free agency, here are 10 players that the front office should target: