NFL Free Agency Preview: 6 Cornerbacks in ESPN Top 50 for Titans to Consider
NASHVILLE — Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson comes from Baltimore with the task of overhauling a pass defense that was last in the National Football League in interceptions and passing yards allowed last season.
Fortunately for Wilson, new coach Brian Callahan, and executive vice president Ran Carthon, the Titans have more than $73 million in cap space to consider investing in free agents.
There are six defensive backs on ESPN's top 50 free agents list. The top three free-agent cornerbacks — Jaylon Johnson, L'Jarius Sneed, and Kendall Fuller — would command average annual salaries of $13 million to $19 million. Titans cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, the sixth-rated cornerback on ESPN's free agent rankings, could expect an annual salary around $4 million to $7 million.
NFL teams can begin to sign free agents on March 13.
Here are statistical profiles of the six cornerbacks, with the data provided by Pro Football Focus.
Jaylon Johnson
According to ESPN, Johnson is the best free-agent corner available and ranks ninth overall on the Top 50 list.
In 2023, Pro Football Focus graded Johnson at 91.0, best among the NFL's 127 cornerbacks.
Johnson allowed an average 7.8 yards on 25 pass completions — the lowest yardage figure last season for any cornerback facing 400 or more passing snaps.
Johnson will be just 25 years old next season. Spotrac and Pro Football Focus project that he could earn a deal one to five years in length with an average salary between $16 million and $19 million.
Last weekend at the Pro Bowl, Johnson told NFL.com, "Heart's definitely in Chicago, mind's definitely on the money. So, I mean, we'll figure out if we can make them both come together and get something done. I'm looking forward to see what's to come."
L'Jarius Sneed
One of the reasons the Chiefs are back in the Super Bowl is because of their suffocating defense. Sneed is one of the best players on that defense and one of the 11 best free agents available, according to ESPN and Pro Football Focus.
Sneed played a whopping 1,185 snaps and had a 73.7 overall coverage rating, according to PFF.
Spotrac and Pro Football Focus project that Sneed, 27, will sign a new contract for 3-4 years with an average annual salary of $16 million to $17.5 million.
“I’ll say it right now. L’Jarius Sneed had an All-Pro year, should’ve been an All-Pro,” teammate Chris Jones said during Super Bowl media day. “The guy’s been making plays all year. You could pull up his film, I don’t think a receiver had over 100 yards on him the whole year.”
Kendall Fuller
Fuller was a bright spot on a Commanders defense that allowed the most points in the NFL in 2023. Fuller can cover in the slot and out wide. He's 19th overall on ESPN's list.
Fuller had an 83.1 PFF coverage rating in 2023 — seventh-best among all NFL cornerbacks with 500 or more passing snaps.
Spotrac and Pro Football Focus project that Fuller, who will be 29 next season, will get a 3-year deal with an average salary of $13 million to $14 million.
"Fuller has experience as both an inside and outside cornerback in the NFL but has predominantly played out wide in recent years," PFF writer Gordon McGuinness wrote. "He’ll be 29 years old when the 2024 NFL season begins, though so this might be the time when a move back to the slot makes sense."
Chidobe Awuzie
Awuzie, 29th on the ESPN list, bounced back from a torn ACL in 2022 to record one interception, three pass breakups, and 57 total tackles this season as the No. 1 cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals. He played 722 snaps and had a PFF rating 62.6, which is 72nd in the league.
Awuzie turns 29 in May. While his coverage grades have declined since 2021, Pro Football Focus projects that he would command a two-year deal with an average salary around $10.5 million.
Two years — $10.5m avg is his projected contract. Awuzie is 29th on the ESPN list.
Kenny Moore II
In a Week 9 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, Moore returned two interceptions for touchdowns — easily the highlight of an excellent season.
Moore, No. 31 in ESPN's Top 50, achieved career-high grades of 79.3 in coverage and 71.5 in run defense.
To sign Moore, who turns 29 in August, PFF projects a two-year deal worth $6.75 million a season.
"I obviously want to be here," Moore told the Indianapolis Star. "That's been obvious throughout my entire career, how much I put into my craft, how much I put into my teammates. Nothing has been a facade with (No.) 23."
Sean Murphy-Bunting
Murphy-Bunting had two interceptions and 42 tackles for the Titans this season. He has eight interceptions and 22 pass breakups in his five seasons in the league. PFF graded him at 57.6 over 840 snaps.
Murphy-Bunting is No. 38 in ESPN's Top 50. Curiously, Pro Football Focus ranks him 149th among available free agents and projects a one-year, $4 million contract.
Other cornerbacks to consider
While these cornerbacks didn't make ESPN's Top 50, they did rate well with Pro Football Focus:
- Stephon Gilmore (PFF rank 33)
- Steven Nelson (35)
- Adoree' Jackson (82)
- Keisean Nixon (146)
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