Tag: Kristian Fulton

Titans’ Kristian Fulton ranked among stingiest CBs in 2022

Titans CB Kristian Fulton was ranked among the stingiest cornerbacks from the 2022 season.

Ever since cornerback Kristian Fulton was drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft, he has been a tremendous asset to the Tennessee Titans’ defense.

Many refer to the young cornerback as “Fulton County Jail” due to his ability to lock up whoever it may be that he’s lining up against.

Last season alone, Fulton was among the stingiest cornerbacks in the NFL (min. 50 targets), allowing an open target percentage of 33.9 percent (13th lowest), per Pro Football Focus’ Jim Wyman.

This particular percentage essentially gives us an indication of how well a corner is doing when it comes to preventing the opposition from getting open.

Albeit in a much smaller sample size, Fulton’s percentage of 33.9 came in just 0.1 points lower than the Jets’ young phenom, Sauce Gardner, who finished with a similar score of 33.8.

The LSU product also allowed an impressive passer rating of just 76.2 whenever he was targeted throughout the year.

Fulton’s biggest issue during his career has been nagging soft-tissue issues that seem to linger for weeks on end.

Nonetheless, whenever the Titans’ cornerback is out there on the field, there’s no denying that Fulton is capable of holding his own against some of the best wideouts in the game.

The next step is trying to stay on the field for an entire season without any major setbacks with his health and/or production.

As long as Fulton is able to prevent those two things from happening, the talented cornerback will probably have a nice payday once his contract expires following this season.

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6 things Titans must prove to skeptics in 2023

The Titans have no shortage of skeptics in 2023. Here are six things they can do to quiet the noise.

The Tennessee Titans will enter the 2023 season with a lot of skeptics around the NFL world. It appears as if people have completely given up on the Titans after they ended last season on a seven-game losing streak.

Normally, that would be a valid reason to doubt someone, but people are overlooking the fact that the Titans were 7-3 until the team got to a point where injuries completely destroyed its season.

In fact, right before the losing streak began, the team was on a lengthy winning streak of its own.

Even after the Titans’ season began to spiral, they still found themselves in a play-in game at the end of the year, a contest they almost won with a quarterback they had just signed a few weeks prior.

By no means am I declaring this 2023 Titans team a Super Bowl favorite or anything of that nature, but this team isn’t just a bunch of scrubs who have zero hope like they’re often made out to be.

Does Tennessee have question marks up and down the roster? Sure.

Do they have a limited ceiling as of right now due to their offensive weaponry out wide? Most likely.

But if there’s one thing that Mike Vrabel has proven over his tenure as head coach, it’s that he’s capable of willing his team to relevancy when everyone seemingly counts Tennessee out.

This article is going to discuss six specific things the 2023 Titans must prove if they want to change the minds of skeptics. Without further ado, let’s dive right into it.

Titans’ Kristian Fulton ranked among top coverage DBs in 2022

Titans CB Kristian Fulton was among the best coverage DBs in the NFL last season when he was on the field.

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Tennessee Titans cornerback Kristian Fulton has proven himself to be a very good player since the team took him in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft, but his problem has been availability.

The LSU product missed 10 games in his rookie season, and then went on to miss another four in 2021 and six in 2022. As a result, Fulton is facing a make-or-break campaign as he enters the final year of his deal.

For more evidence to back up my initial statement about Fulton being a good player when he’s actually on the field, we turn to Next Gen Stats, which had the 24-year-old ranked as the No. 8 defensive back in coverage from 2022.

Here’s what Nick Shook of NFL.com had to say about Fulton’s showing:

Passer rating allowed: 76.2

Catch rate allowed below expectation: -7.4%

Tight-window percentage: 25.5%

Target rate: 15.1%

Average separation: 2.7 yards

TARGETED EXPECTED POINTS ADDED: -12.9

Fulton only appeared in 11 games in 2022, but he saw enough action to qualify for this list and emerge as one of the top 10 coverage defenders.

A catch rate allowed below expectation of -7.4 percent is the fifth-best mark in the category among players on this list. His tight-window rate of 25.5 percent helped him record five passes defensed and one interception on 55 targets. Those totals aren’t exactly remarkable, but defenders are often most effective by making plays that don’t show up in these categories. We can find that detail in his coverage success rate (the percentage of targets that result in a successful play for the defense). He had the second-best rate among players in this top 10 at 65.5 percent.

It’s interesting to consider what Fulton’s numbers might have looked like had he avoided a nagging hamstring issue and stayed on the field more. A higher volume might have helped him post greater totals in passes defensed and interceptions. Ultimately, his success rate and tight-window rate tell us the true story: Fulton likely would have continued to find success over a full season, if given the chance.

Despite some obvious blemishes, with the game against A.J. Brown and the Philadelphia Eagles being one of them, Fulton’s coverage numbers were indeed strong.

On top of the ones listed by Shook above, Fulton’s completion rate allowed (52.4 percent) and passer rating allowed (82.8) were the second-best marks of his career, and his yards per completion allowed (12.8) was his best.

If not for the injuries, Fulton would likely be on his way to a major payday from the Titans in 2024. Instead, he’s got to prove he can stay healthy in order to land such a deal, and his future in Tennessee is very murky.

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Titans’ Kristian Fulton talks offseason absences, Vrabel’s repeat offender comment

Titans CB Kristian Fulton spoke about his offseason work and Mike Vrabel’s comment about him being a “repeat offender” with soft-tissue injuries.

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One of the biggest topics of conversation this offseason has been cornerback Kristian Fulton, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal after being taken in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft.

Fulton, who has battled injuries during his career, was not in town for the voluntary portion of the offseason program and did not take part in mandatory minicamp, although he was in the building for the latter.

During the final session of OTAs on Wednesday, Fulton made his first appearance this offseason, albeit only for team stretch.

The LSU product was down in Miami training during the voluntary portion after deciding that was the best approach for him this offseason, according to Titans beat writer Paul Kuharsky.

“The season I had last year, I had analyzed it, assessed it and me and my team and some of the coaching staff here, we talked about what would be best for me to stay on the field and we made some changes and we’ve all been on the same page about that,” Fulton said. “I feel confident about the plan that I had put in place before the offseason even started for me. The coaches feel confident about what I have done.”

When on the field, Fulton has been a difference-maker and the team’s No. 1 cornerback. However, availability has been a problem for the 24-year-old, which makes it understandable for him to switch things up.

“I feel like I’ve been able to perform when I’m on the field, so obviously just the main thing is staying on the field,” Fulton said. “Just building each week, building that confidence and putting it out there why I feel like I am one of the top guys.”

As far as his not taking part in mandatory minicamp is concerned, Fulton said his absence was not injury-related and he will be a full go for training camp, which begins on July 25.

“Just staying inside,” Fulton said, per Kayla Anderson of 104.5 The Zone. “Just wanting to get some extra work in the weight room and that’s what the coaches allowed me to do.”

Following last season, Fulton was one of the players called out by head coach Mike Vrabel as a repeat offender with soft-tissue injuries, along with linebacker David Long, who is now in Miami (and injured).

Fulton said he wasn’t bothered by the comment and that he and Vrabel are on the same page.

“I’m cool with what coach says,” Fulton said, per Kuharsky. “Obviously, we’re on the same page, we’re in great spirits with each other. But I just have to take care of my part… At the end of the day, I know I just have to do my part to stay on the field, and that comes with me doing what I have to do.”

When asked about Fulton’s new offseason approach, Vrabel said only time will tell if it’s the right one.

“I think that will all be determined by how training camp goes and how he performs on the field,” Vrabel said.

Our Shaun Calderon recently listed Fulton as one of the Titans who are in a make-or-break year, which is a very accurate assessment.

If he is plagued by injuries again, Fulton will have a tough time landing the lucrative deal he’s seeking. If he can stay healthy and perform at the level we’ve seen him play at, he should get a nice payday in 2024.

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Practice, presser highlights from Titans’ final day of OTAs

The practice and presser highlights from the Titans’ final day of OTAs.

The Tennessee Titans are apparently closing out organized team activities a day early after the team revealed its last session would be on Wednesday. Tennessee was originally scheduled to go until June 15.

Whatever the case may be, there were a few important nuggets from the session, including the return of cornerback Kristian Fulton, who said his lack of participation during both the voluntary and mandatory portions of the offseason program were not injury-related.

He also noted that he plans on being a full go for training camp, which is next up on the Titans’ offseason schedule and coming in late July.

Along with Fulton, tight end Trevon Wesco was also present for the final practice of OTAs. Wesco had been sidelined for all of mandatory minicamp last week for reasons unknown.

The Titans did have lengthy list of players absent, but it’s important to remember some might not be taking part with the practice being voluntary.

Now, the highlights.

Tennessee Titans injury updates from mandatory minicamp

Titans head coach Mike Vrabel provided updates on a handful of players who have been absent from mandatory minicamp.

The Tennessee Titans held their third and final day of mandatory minicamp on Thursday, and we finally got at least some semblance of an update on players who have been absent thus far.

As of Wednesday, those players included Caleb Farley, Kristian Fulton, Josh Thompson, Harold Landry, Sam Okuayinonu, Dillon Radunz and Trevon Wesco. Elijah Molden was part of that group before returning Wednesday.

After the final minicamp practice, head coach Mike Vrabel fielded questions on those players who have been absent. Some of his answers were more in depth than others, but we’ll take what we can get from the always guarded Vrabel.

10 Titans facing a make-or-break year in 2023

Shaun Calderon lists 10 Titans who are facing a make-or-break year in 2023.

The Tennessee Titans began their offseason by making several notable moves to get themselves back in good standing with the salary cap.

To accomplish this, the Titans chose to part ways with several high-priced and highly-respected veterans such as Taylor Lewan, Ben Jones and Robert Woods, among others.

While these moves undoubtedly created some much-needed cap room, these decisions also created several more holes on a Titans roster that already had quite a few to begin with.

That means the Titans had to go bargain hunting these last few months, and they are now forced to rely on several young and/or unproven players to take that next step in their development if they’re going to have any chance at competing this season.

As risky as this is for the team, this year is just as nerve-wracking for several players on the roster whose immediate and long-term futures are up in the air for a variety of reasons.

Some are in danger of losing their starting jobs, while others could be on the verge of losing their jobs altogether by season’s end. This article is going to go over 10 players on the roster who are at a crossroads in their respective careers with the Titans.

Without further ado, let’s dive right into it.

Titans OTAs: News, notes, video from Wednesday

News, notes and video from the Titans’ latest open session of OTAs.

The Tennessee Titans were back on the field for organized team activities on Wednesday, and the team made the session open to the media, giving us an inside look at practice.

The biggest news of the day was the fact that cornerback Kristian Fulton has arrived. Fulton, who did not participate on his first day, was down in Miami working out instead of joining the team early on in the voluntary portion of the offseason program.

While a lot was made about Fulton’s early absence considering this is a make-or-break contract year for him, ESPN’s Turron Davenport noted Fulton’s absence was planned all along.

Also of note was 2023 second-round pick and quarterback Will Levis seeing some struggles. You can check out what Levis struggled with and what he had to say about his lackluster performance on Wednesday right here.

Now, a look at what else went on during OTAs on Wednesday.

Titans’ Mike Vrabel talks Kristian Fulton’s absence, Elijah Molden at safety, more

Titans head coach Mike Vrabel revealed CB Elijah Molden has been getting reps at safety this offseason.

The Tennessee Titans took part in organized team activities for the second straight day on Tuesday, but this time around the session was open to the media.

We have a full roundup of everything beat writers on the ground noted and recorded during Tuesday’s session. You can check that out right here.

One of the more notable things to come from Tuesday was the fact that Titans cornerback Kristian Fulton isn’t in attendance at OTAs yet. Of course, his presence is not mandatory, but you would assume Fulton would be in attendance in what is a make-or-break year for the oft-injured corner.

When asked if Fulton was in the building, Vrabel, who I can’t imagine is a fan of Fulton’s absence considering the circumstances, simply said “nope.”

Another interesting development is the fact that the Titans have been giving cornerback Elijah Molden reps at safety, something he spoke about after practice.

Vrabel also touched on that subject following Day 2. Here’s a look at what he had to say about that and more in his post-practice presser.

Tennessee Titans OTAs: Notes, videos and player pressers from Day 2

A round up of news, notes, videos and player pressers from Day 2 of Tennessee Titans OTAs.

The Tennessee Titans took part in Day 2 of organized team activities (OTAs) on Tuesday, and the session was open to the media, giving us a close look into what the team was doing.

Among those of note who were present for the session included defensive lineman Teair Tart, who had a tender placed on him earlier this offseason.

Tart has not signed that tender but he did sign some kind of protection agreement before taking part, according to Titans beat writer Paul Kuharsky.

On the flip side, cornerback Kristian Fulton is a notable absence. Head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed after practice that Fulton hasn’t arrived yet.

We don’t know why Fulton is absent, and this part of the offseason program is voluntary, but on the surface this isn’t a great look for the oft-injured Fulton, who is very much in a make-or-break, contract year.

Thanks to beat writers on the ground, we got some great videos from the session and notes on what went down during it, as well as highlights from player pressers afterwards. In addition, we’ve linked to the three pressers featuring Tennessee’s coaches.

Check out everything we rounded up from Tuesday below.