Tennessee Titans Positional Review: CB

This is the third in a series looking at each position.

Alterraun Verner
2013 Stats: 57 Comb, 49 Total, 23 PDef, 5 INTs, 68 Yds, TDs 1.

Contract Status: UFA

2013 Analysis: The Titans lone Pro Bowl representative had a career season after having to compete for the starting job entering the 2013 season. Indications are the Titans wanted Tommie Campbell to win the RCB job due to his combination of size and speed. It would have given the Titans the ability to slide Vern back inside where he could utilize his quickness and instincts. They even looked at him at free safety during the offseason which was a head-scratcher for me.

As we all know, Vern won the outside job and proceeded to show the ball hawk skills that attracted him to the Titans in the first place. Although lacking ideal size and speed, ATV has that instinct that coaches can't teach. He didn't complain when told he would need to win the job. He just went out and got it done and made a lot of money as a result.

2014 Outlook: ATV is about to hit the free agency market and is currently ranked the third CB among the UFAs available on NFL.com. Since the Titans invested a third-round pick last year in Blidi Wreh-Wilson, I don't see the Titans making a play for ATV.


Jason McCourty
2013 Stats: 65 Comb, 54 Total, 11 PDef, 0 INTs, 1 FF.

Contract Status: McCourty is currently wrapped up through the 2017 season with a five-year deal worth $43M. He counts $8.3M against the cap in '14.

2013 Analysis: In looking at various CB positional rankings, McCourty falls in the 12-15 range on most. Though none of his 2013 numbers are eye-popping, he been mentioned by new DC Ray Horton as standing out on film due to his open-field tackling ability multiple times. Still, not having a single interception from a player who the team has invested so much is disappointing.

Up to the Broncos game, the Titans had only given up one TD to opposing QBs and ended the season first in that category with 15. In this day and age, that's an impressive stat especially when looking at how unimpressive the Titans were in sacks last season.

2014 Outlook: McCourty is entering his prime and needs to take his game to the next level in order to be considered a true #1 CB in the league. Until he does, many will question whether he is deserving the third-highest current contract on the Titans roster.


Tommie Campbell
2013 Stats: 11 Comb, 8 Total, 0 PDef, 0 INTs.

Contract Status: Final season of his contract earning $645,000 in '14. Cap hit of $656,474.

2013 Analysis: After not winning the RCB starting job, Campbell returned to special teams until a shoulder injury against the Rams ended his season.

2014 Outlook: It'll be interesting to see if Horton & Co thinks Campbell needs to be getting reps with the first team to see if he has a shot at the starting job. Personally, I think they'll plug in Wreh-Wilson early and Campbell will need to shine on special teams just for a shot to make the roster.


Coty Sensabaugh
2013 Stats: 31 Comb, 26 Total, 7 PDef, 0 INTs.

Contract Status: $570,000 base in 2014. $678,023 against the cap. UFA after the '15 season.

2013 Analysis: Got a lot of praise early in camp from then DC Jerry Gray who gave him some reps outside as a reward. He ended up playing nickel corner most of 2013 before going to injured reserve in mid-December with a foot injury.

2014 Outlook: If he improves as much between '13 and '14 as he did his rookie to second season, Sensabaugh may get a look outside but is more likely to return as the nickel in '14.


Blidi Wreh-Wilson
2013 Stats: 13 Comb, 9 Total, 1 PDef, 0 INTs, 1 FF.

Contract Status: Enters the second year of a four-year deal. $519.360 base with $683,441 against the cap.

2013 Analysis: Rookie Wreh-Wilson was projected to go in the second round by many of the draft gurus and flashed some of the reasons with his special teams work last season.

2014 Outlook: At 6-foot-1-inch and 198-pounds, he's the ideal size for an outside corner. I think he'll get every opportunity to win the starting job beginning in OTAs. If he can handle the duties well, the Titans could be set at CB for the next three seasons.


Khalid Wooten
2013 Stats: 0 Comb, 0 Total, 0 PDef, 0 INTs.

Contract Status: Enters the second year of a three-year deal. $495,000 base with $495,000 against the cap.

2013 Analysis: Rookie Khalid Wooten started the season on special teams until Sensabaugh was injured.

2014 Outlook: Wooten is playing for a roster spot. His special teams play will likely make or break him.


Others: George Baker was an undrafted free agent last season and recently signed a reserve/future contract. Micah Pellerin was claimed off waivers on November 22, 2013 to provide special teams depth.


Opinion: The Titans have a young and talented group of cornerbacks even with Vern leaving. Heading into 2014, the talk will be about who will win the RCB. I'd be surprised if Wreh-Wilson wasn't given every opportunity to start with Sensabaugh continuing at nickel. The future looks bright if these two can get the job done as it would keep the CB unit in great shape the next few seasons.

Campbell's role is up-in-the-air, IMO. Odds are he won't get the same look he did entering last season but Whiz continues to say he wants open competition so Tommie should have the opportunity to turn heads. Wooten needs to shine with his special teams play to get a shot to make the roster.

I think we'll see the Titans pick up a budget-friendly vet CB in free agency after the draft who can immediately back up the slot. I don't see the Titans using anything before a fifth in the draft to get one unless a value slides to them earlier who is also a return specialist. With their past success, grabbing a CB late in the draft probably happens again.

Thoughts?