In what is our second-to-last installment of Tennessee Titans training camp previews, we’re going to take a look at the secondary and break down both the cornerback and safety positions.
For the most part, the Titans’ secondary is locked in even before we get to training camp, however there are still some spots up for grabs at the bottom of the depth chart for both corner and safety.
Here’s a look at which players are roster locks in the secondary, which players are on the bubble, and then a prediction for who will make the initial 53-man roster.
Note: In case you’ve missed any of our previews, we’ve linked to them at the end of this article.
Roster locks: Cornerback
Adoree’ Jackson
Malcolm Butler
Johnathan Joseph
Kristian Fulton
Analysis: Jackson and Butler will man the outside for the Titans in 2020, but we may also see the former spend some time in the slot, as general manager Jon Robinson suggested could be an option. If that happens, Tennessee will need Joseph, and to a lesser extent, Fulton, to provide some help on the boundary when Jackson isn’t there.
The rookie corner could get the majority of snaps in the slot, but he’s going to have to show he’s ready for the responsibility with a strong camp, which could be difficult thanks to an abbreviated offseason. Amani Hooker figures to be one of the players who challenges Fulton for the slot corner job.
On the bubble: Cornerbacks
Tye Smith
Kenneth Durden
Chris Milton
Kareem Orr
Analysis: The Titans carried five cornerbacks into the 2019 season, so these four players will likely be battling it out for one spot. Smith has the advantage over the other three, as he played in more games (nine) than the rest of the players on this list combined last year.
The only thing that could throw a wrench into this competition for the final spot on the depth chart is if the Titans carry an extra safety who has the versatility to play at corner instead.
Roster locks: Safety
Kevin Byard
Kenny Vaccaro
Amani Hooker
Analysis: Byard and Vaccaro will return as the team’s starting safeties, making up one of the best duos in the NFL.
Hooker will be the main backup at the position, but there won’t be many snaps for him to play at safety considering Byard (99 percent) and Vaccaro (96 percent) rarely took snaps off in 2019. Hooker’s best chance to get any sort of regular playing time will come in the slot, where he will likely be competing for snaps against the rookie Fulton in training camp.
On the bubble: Safety
Dane Cruikshank
Joshua Kalu
Chris Jackson
Ibraheim Campbell
Analysis: Both Kalu and Cruikshank made the 53-man roster in 2019 and are valuable special teams contributors, so we’re giving them the edge to take the last two spots at safety — that is, assuming the Titans once again carry five safeties into the season.
If we were to rank these players based on the likelihood of them making the roster, Campbell would be third in line thanks to the edge in experience he has over Kalu and Cruikshank, and his ability to play on special teams. Jackson is the wild card of the group, as he offers versatility as someone who can play both safety and corner, and can contribute on special teams, but like all rookies, a shortened offseason may stunt his growth, hurting his chances of making the roster.
Initial 53-man roster prediction
Cornerback
| CB1 | Adoree’ Jackson |
| CB2 | Malcolm Butler |
| CB3 | Johnathan Joseph |
| CB4 | Kristian Fulton |
| CB5 | Tye Smith |
Safety
| FS | Kevin Byard |
| SS | Kenny Vaccaro |
| S | Amani Hooker |
| S | Dane Cruikshank |
| S | Joshua Kalu |
Analysis: Not many surprises here. This prediction has the Titans carrying the same amount of corners and safeties as they did in 2019. These two groups provide plenty of versatility, as Hooker could spend time in the slot on top of his backup safety duties, and Jackson and Fulton can play both inside and out. Tennessee will have plenty of options to replace Logan Ryan.
Other training camp previews: QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | LB
