Titans 53-Man Roster Projection 2025: Will L'Jarius Sneed ever return, Jarvis Brownlee's massive task, critical camp battles
One of the strongest positions, or one of the weakest?
The Tennessee Titans' cornerback room could theoretically be one of their greatest strengths. But just one absence or falter could make it the weakness of the defense overnight.
This is the full cornerback edition of an ongoing article series, breaking down the Titans projected 53-man roster one position at a time. Here's what we've covered so far, in case you've missed it:
- Quarterbacks
- Wide Receivers
- Offensive Tackles
- Interior Offensive Line
- Running Backs
- Tight Ends
- Special Teams
- Edge Rushers
- Linebackers
- Safeties
- Defensive Line
In this installment, we'll dive into what makes this cornerback group so fragile:
Cornerbacks
- L'Jarius Sneed
- Jarvis Brownlee Jr.
- Roger McCreary
- Marcus Harris
- Darrell Baker Jr.
- Jermari Harris
Cut: Amani Oruwariye, Clarence Lewis, Davion Ross, Gabe Jeudy-Lally, Jalen Kimber
Worrying About Sneed
I’ve written about the concerns surrounding L’Jarius Sneed heading into this season from just about every angle I can think of this summer. That’s because, well, he matters so. very. much.
It is not an exaggeration to say that this defense almost certainly doesn’t function the way it’s supposed to without him on the field, playing at least above average football. I wrote all about what that is right here.
Not only the cornerback room, but the other critical positions of most concern on defense could suffer mightily from Sneed’s absence or overall bad play. He’s being paid to be a star, and this year is when he needs to begin making himself worth that contract.
The only time anybody has heard from him this summer was at his youth football camp back in his hometown during the dead period after OTA’s. He spoke with local new and said he’s “healthy as he’s ever been”, detailing the chip on his shoulder ahead of 2025. More on that linked here.
While that’s good to hear, and good to hear from the horse’s mouth, he's still going to end up on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list to begin camp. I suspect that comes as a surprise to many fans and may result in… well, some panic. And while I don’t think it’s quite grounds for panic just yet, it’s certainly not the start we were all hoping to see.
Brian Callahan spoke to the idea of Sneed getting more involved in practice—and of course playing more on Sundays—during OTAs:
“Yeah, I think there’s a healthy balance there. He’s coming back injury-wise. So, the rehab process is ongoing. He’s in a good spot, excited about where he’s at. But there’s definitely a part of, I’d like to practice more. I think he’s on the same page, too, where you got to balance those things. There’s a management part for a lot of players. But there’s also you got to practice and get better at your craft and continue to improve. So, we’ll balance that. I feel good about where that process is for us and for him. I think he’s well on the same page as well.”
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If Sneed can’t contribute once camp begins, the pressure on him and his health is only going to rise. And then once he’s back on the field, he has to play better than he did in September last year. If you ask him, that’s precisely his plan. Let’s see it.
Jarvis Brownlee Needs To Leave No Doubt
I was a massive proponent of Jarvis Brownlee Jr. coming out of Louisville, and really became a fan when I got to see him compete against his peers at the 2024 Senior Bowl in Mobile. His hyper-physical press man ability jumped out in a field of many talented players, and I thought he may have worked his way into being a Day 2 pick.
Flash forward a couple months, and the Titans snag him in the 5th round. I thought it was a massive steal, and based on his rookie year, it sure appears to be trending that way. Brownlee has already worked his way up to be the presumed 2nd outside cornerback on this team, playing alongside L’Jarius Sneed as a starter.
Really all I’m looking to get out of Brownlee this season is consistency. His play style is electric. I mean his best stuff really gets the adrenaline pumping. But he needs to harness it for good and not evil, and that expectation begins this season.
All the flashes you would want to see from a starting corner were on his rookie tape. But they were just that: flashes. He wasn’t awful outside of his best moments, but he did show plenty that could be refined. His hyper-physical play style is one that tends to mature with veteran savvy, and I’d like to see him begin to demonstrate that this fall. I expect he will.
Getting The Best Version Of Roger McCreary
There isn’t a whole lot to say about Roger McCreary heading into 2025. He’s your starting slot cornerback. At his best, he’s one of the most underrated corners in the league. He’s heading into his contract year, which means he needs to ball out to get the bag he’s likely to be looking for from the Titans. Lucky for him, slot corners have finally been getting the recognition as starters that they deserve at the negotiating table.
The hope for him is that he’s allowed to play in a position that gets the best out of him. Due to his lack of length, he’s certainly better playing on the inside than the outside. We’ve seen him play on the boundary, and he can hang, but his shorter frame certainly gets the best of him on occasion out there. As long as Sneed can return to form and Brownlee takes a year 2 leap, he should be in good shape. If they don’t… a lot will be asked of McCreary, and it may prove too much.
Critical, Unknown Depth
After the Titans starting three at cornerback, the room gets murky. There’s plenty of players who could carve out a role for themselves in training camp, but the spots on the roster really do feel up for grabs moreso than at other positions.
I feel pretty good about both Harris’s making the team. 6th rounder Marcus Harris is somebody the coaching staff seems excited about, and UDFA Jermari Harris really stood out to me in OTA’s. I’m excited to see both rookies get into pads. Then the veterans on this roster who lead the race for a roster spot seem to be Darrell Baker Jr, Amani Oruwariye, and 2nd year UDFA Gabe Jeudy-Lally. I won’t count anybody out just yet, as special teams will certainly play a role in who gets the final nods, but I’m betting today that both Harris’s and Baker Jr. make up the back of this room.
Titans expected to be without starters L’Jarius Sneed and Lloyd Cushenberry to begin Training Camp with injury designations
The Titans are expected to be down a pair of starters in camp
