Underrated Titans player earning the praise of Mike Vrabel
One of the most underrated and unexpected breakouts players for the 2022 Tennessee Titans has been undrafted rookie cornerback Tre Avery. Undrafted out of Rutgers University, the Titans took a chance on Avery when most pro scouts believed that "choppy footwork and lack of awareness" would make him a liability at the NFL level. Tennessee […]
One of the most underrated and unexpected breakouts players for the 2022 Tennessee Titans has been undrafted rookie cornerback Tre Avery.
Undrafted out of Rutgers University, the Titans took a chance on Avery when most pro scouts believed that "choppy footwork and lack of awareness" would make him a liability at the NFL level. Tennessee signed him as an undrafted free agent in May and brought him in to camp.
While Avery surprised everyone by earning a spot on the 53-man roster out of training camp, the expectation was that Avery would make his contributions on special teams, not as a part of the defense.
That thought was later reaffirmed when Avery played his first defensive snaps in the NFL out of necessity Week 2 in Buffalo. Back then, he did not look ready to compete at the NFL level. The Titans secondary got torched, and Stefon Diggs, who was matched up with Avery on occasion, had 12 catches for 148 yards and three touchdowns in that game.
Turning the Corner
Since that night in Buffalo, something has clicked. Avery's next defensive snaps would not come until Week 9 in Kansas City, but his opportunity has only continued to grow with every performance.
Over the last four games, Avery has played on 54 total defensive snaps, and turned his side of the field into an absolute island.
Consistently tight in coverage. Closing hard to the football. Disruptive at the catch point. The former Scarlett Knight has done it all since stepping back onto the field with the Titans defense.
So much so that Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel is singing his praises.
Mike Vrabel does not often rave about the play of an individual player. Even after a really strong game, Vrabel's player analysis is usually more towards the "still have room to improve" mindset than anything else. It takes a lot to get him off of that talking point.
After looking at the film from the game, Vrabel spoke to the media on Monday afternoon. When asked about the play of Avery, the Titans head coach lit up with energy, and had nothing but great things to say about his rookie corner:
Avery's emergence has really gone a long way for the Titans defense. The secondary has dealt with injuries to Elijah Molden, Caleb Farley, Amani Hooker, and even Kristian Fulton at times. But it's players like Avery that keep things together through adversity.
If he continues at this rate, he will establish himself as far more than another depth option for Tennessee on defense. As Vrabel said, he's been playing some of the best football of any of the Titans' cornerbacks recently. Performance dictates opportunity on this team, and Avery's role will only continue to grow as his play does.
Jon Robinson and the Titans might have another hidden gem on their hands.
Image via Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
