In anticipation of the 2024 NFL season, ESPN has been polling league executives, coaches, and scouts to get their top 10 players at each position. Today, the outlet unveiled their picks for the top 10 cornerbacks in the league, and the Tennessee Titans were represented on the list. In this year’s free agency period, the Titans went out and made a splash, signing former Kansas City Chiefs CB L’Jarius Sneed, who finds himself at the #4 spot on ESPN’s list.
As with most of the cornerbacks on this list, there was a lot of variance when it came to Sneed’s landing spot. The highest Sneed came in on anyone’s list was at the top spot, while the lowest he finished was 10th. Sneed's play last season earned him a big rise on this year’s list, coming all the way up from an honorable mention last year to claim the fourth spot.
One AFC defensive coach had this to say about Sneed to exemplify why he comes in this high on the list:
He can struggle with the quick, shiftier players, but with the bigger body receivers, he can dominate as a physical press corner because of his physicality, and he's always up for the challenge," an AFC defensive coach said. "Excels in man or zone. And he has a knack for timely playmaking, and he will come up in run support and tackle.”
As some of the commentary points out, one of the downsides with Sneed is that he can be a bit handsy in his coverage tendencies. Sneed drew an NFL-high 17 penalties last season, with the majority of them coming as holding calls. Still, Sneed’s upside is well worth the headaches he may give you in penalties.
The bigger concern with Sneed lies in the health of his knees. Sneed struggled with knee injuries in the 2023 season, and it’s a concern the Titans are going to have to be aware of moving forward with their big new acquisition. It’s clear though, that when he’s healthy, Sneed has made a big impression league-wide with his play, and the Titans got a clear upgrade at the position.
