Why re-signing Dane Cruikshank is a bigger deal than most think
Tennessee Titans DB Dane Cruikshank might have been the most under-appreciated piece of the team’s vastly improved defense in 2021. With Cruikshank’s contract set to expire, the Titans should do everything in their power to re-sign the team’s top talent when it came to slowing down tight ends this season. After being selected in the […]
Tennessee Titans DB Dane Cruikshank might have been the most under-appreciated piece of the team’s vastly improved defense in 2021. With Cruikshank’s contract set to expire, the Titans should do everything in their power to re-sign the team’s top talent when it came to slowing down tight ends this season.
After being selected in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Cruikshank spent most of his first three years with the Titans as a major contributor on special teams.
However, after a groin injury sidelined him for all but two games of the 2020 season, the 26-year-old carved out a nice role for himself this past season.
Most of Cruikshank’s usage came in the dime package under the direction of defensive coordinator Shane Bowen. Cruikshank’s primary responsibility was to match up with opposing tight ends who posed threats to the Titans defense in the passing game.
The Titans defense spent more time in the dime package (3-2-6) than any other team across the league in 2021 at a 17% usage rate, per Sports Info Solutions. That was the second most-used package for the Titans, trailing the base 3-3-5 defense which was employed 26% of the time.
Cruikshank proved to be crucial to the defense’s success, keeping elite tight ends, like Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and Mike Gesicki, in check. As the tight end position continues to thrive in the NFL, players like Cruikshank will see their value increase, especially in the free agency market.
While Cruikshank will not be breaking anybody’s bank this offseason, his new deal will likely land somewhere in between $3-5m per year. The Titans cannot afford to pinch pennies when it comes to bringing back Cruikshank.
Tennessee will most likely part ways this offseason with LB Jayon Brown, whose greatest attribute might be his ability in pass coverage. Although the team is right to feel good about starting safeties Amani Hooker and Kevin Byard, Cruikshank provides much-needed experience if one of the two is forced to miss time during the 17-game season.
For as much time as the Titans spend in the dime package, letting Cruikshank walk over a measly $3-5m would put Bowen in between a rock and a hard place in sub-package looks next season. With the AFC littered with talent at the tight end position, the Titans must have an answer for guys like Kelce, Dawson Knox, Mark Andrews, Darren Waller, and Jonnu Smith, who are all members of teams expected to reach the postseason in 2021.
Featured image via Christopher Hanewinckel – USA TODAY Sports
