I can’t for the life of me figure out why in the fuck the Tennessee Titans would put up an unofficial depth chart ahead of the preseason. Listen – I know I don’t have the perfect brain…but I can’t remember the team ever doing this, and I don’t really see what kind of value they get out of releasing it. It’s just fodder for sports talk and fans – I mean, maybe they’re trying to rile up the fan base and drive up engagement on social media, but based on how season ticket sales are surging, do they really need to? I figure Mike Vrabel is going to get some incessant questioning about this thing moving forward, and I can already hear him shooting down media members (maybe even literally, I don’t know). I’m not excluding myself from this conversation, because I’m obviously here talking about how second year cornerback Kristian Fulton finds himself atop the depth chart at one of the starting corner positions. So, yeah – I’m fueling this thing too, but hot damn….why would you play yourself like this?
Okay, rant over – let’s talk about Fulton. His placement atop the depth chart, opposite Jackrabbit Jenkins, was one of the first things that really caught my eye. After the Titans signed Jenkins, and drafted Caleb Farley in the first round, most of us thought that meant Fulton would slide inside and primarily cover slot receivers. And, to be fair, Fulton’s rookie season was sabotaged, in a way, by injuries and an atypical offseason. That’s to say that on top of adjusting to the NFL game, Fulton had a few hurdles in his way that I think kept us from getting a clear picture of his potential. Now, I’d also add that we definitely need to be careful in putting too much stock into this rough draft of a depth chart.
Vrabel has stated repeatedly that this Titans regime starts rookies at the bottom of the depth chart and wants them to earn their reps with the 1s. So, it’s possible that Farley is out of a starting slot on principle alone. Also, wtf – Geoff Swaim is listed as TE1, and all due respect to Swaim, I’m not buying that in the least. But, it’s still an indicator of where players currently stand with Titans coaches, and it’s a good sign that Fulton is in that slot for now.
We talk about the wide receivers, and how the Titans have options lining up their top three guys all over the field, outside, in the slot, wherever. I think the same could be said about the cornerbacks, and we’re too honed in on this narrative that Jenkins and Farley are rigidly going to be the two outside corners. We lump Fulton in the slot and forget that he’s perfectly capable of playing outside too. Not to mention, he’s showing out at training camp so far, reportedly playing physically in coverage, and disrupting the offense, manufacturing plays.
Highlight of the day for the #Titans defense: CB Kristian Fulton beat A.J. Brown with physical coverage over the middle, tipping the ball in the air. David Long picked it off. @luke_worsham
— AtoZSports Nashville (@AtoZSports) August 6, 2021
Kristian Fulton dominated in today’s practice. 3 PBUs including an INT that would’ve been a pick six in a real game. #Titans
— Luke Worsham (@luke_worsham) August 2, 2021
Kristian Fulton said it didn't feel good standing on the sideline last year. As soon as the Ravens game was over he started working towards getting a starting position this year. Wanted to be more consistent, not make same mistakes twice. #Titans
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 4, 2021
Vrabel on Kristian Fulton cites him getting beat by Josh Reynolds on a route earlier in camp and coming back on the same play with an INT later. Cites his continued improvement #Titans
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) August 4, 2021
Again, I’m not saying we should take this unofficial depth chart as hard evidence that Fulton is going to be the guy opposite Jackrabbit. But, it’s an indicator of how he’s performing in camp so far, and it’s a reminder that he has the skill to play wherever the Titans need him. It’s just a matter of staying healthy and playing consistently. But, I would expect this unit to be more multiple than just “Jenkins and Farley outside, Fulton in the slot,” which seems to be the narrative now.
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Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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