Tennessee Titans: Cornerback Is the Biggest Position Battle to Watch in Training Camp
Camp practices and preseason games always decide a few key position battles in the NFL. They are always something to keep an eye on. Titans training camp kicks off on July 28th. This year, there is one position with more competitors than any other position. That is Cornerback. The Titans didn't add the top-end talent […]
Camp practices and preseason games always decide a few key position battles in the NFL. They are always something to keep an eye on. Titans training camp kicks off on July 28th. This year, there is one position with more competitors than any other position. That is Cornerback.
The Titans didn't add the top-end talent at CB like they did with Julio Jones at Wide Receiver. Moreso, they added an array of depth and upside.
There are a lot of names, but who will get the starting nods?
Janoris Jenkins
Janoris Jenkins was their lone veteran add in the secondary, and he could end up with a starting role at the start of the season. Jenkins showed his age at times in New Orleans, but he still showed he can give a defense good production even in his early 30s. He will get opportunities early on, and coaches have raved about his competitiveness and nature during this off-season already.
Chris Jackson and Breon Borders
Jackson and Borders are in the same bucket. They are both players that are fairly unproven. Although, Titans coaches seem to have confidence in them and like their potential.
Borders sort of broke onto the scene last season with a couple of really productive games, but his inexperience showed up more often with more playing time. That should come as no surprise though. It's the NFL. There were times he especially struggled with coverage and tracking downfield. If he shows improvement in camp and the preseason, the Nickelback spot could be his, though.
Jackson is another young option. He is projected to be a backup by most right now, but he could step in if anyone struggles mightily or gets injured in camp. He played in eleven games last year, starting three of them partially due to the rest of the secondary's injuries and ineffectiveness.
Caleb Farley and Elijah Molden
Caleb Farley and Elijah Molden are both shiny, new rookies. Farley will compete for an outside CB starting spot immediately. Molden will most likely be a Nickelback/Safety hybrid candidate.
Farley was arguably the most talented Cornerback in the 2021 NFL Draft class. Injury concerns pushed him down some boards, but the Titans snagged him. He has elite man coverage traits. Farley will most likely play a lot of press coverage once he gets comfortable in the league, but he is versatile in zone coverage as well as he enters the NFL. If his health checks out, he has the inside track to a starting role due to the team's investment in him.
Molden will likely battle the previously-mentioned Borders in the slot. I would expect both of them to get plenty of reps between camp and the preseason. Molden is an energetic, athletic competitor. The Titans may value that a lot in a secondary that will be fairly new to playing together as a unit. Expect him to see time at multiple positions in order for Tennessee to try to get as much production from him as possible.
Kristian Fulton
Kristian Fulton is the final option. He fought through some injuries and "rookie bumps in the road" in 2020. He played his best ball in the slot, but the Titans would probably like him to get a little more comfortable on the outside. That gives them a lot more versatility with the rest of their depth. it won't be easy for him to wrestle in a starting job to begin the season. Regardless, he will get time on the field to prove himself.
A lot of names at CB on the depth chart will compete early on for the Titans. There is no doubt some will separate themselves from others to nail down spots in the starting lineup.
Featured Image via USA TODAY-Sports
