Grading Titans’ trade, extension for L’Jarius Sneed

The Tennessee Titans continue to make big moves this offseason, with the latest coming in the form of trading for cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who presents a massive upgrade at the position.

Sneed gives the Titans the true shutdown cornerback they so desperately needed, and the addition now gives Tennessee one of the best rooms in the NFL on paper, with Sneed joining Chidobe Awuzie and Roger McCreary.

The 27-year-old shadowed quite the list of wide receivers in 2023, a group that includes Calvin Ridley, DJ Moore, Garrett Wilson, Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill (twice), Davante Adams (twice), Stefon Diggs (twice), A.J. Brown, Ja’Marr Chase, Brandon Aiyuk, Zay Flowers and Courtland Sutton, according to ESPN’s Mike Clay.

Of those wideouts, only one tallied 100 yards in a game against KC, and Sneed posted elite coverage numbers overall, surrendering a completion rate of 51.9%, a passer rating of 55.9 and 409 receiving yards (9.7 yards per reception), per Pro Football Focus.

While he’s better known for his work on the boundary, Sneed actually began his career out of the slot, which will allow him to comfortably follow an opposing team’s best receiver, wherever they may line up.

He’s also proven to be an effective pass-rusher from that spot when needed.

What L’Jarius Sneed gets on the open market will be very interesting to watch:

2021-2022: 52% slot rate
2023: 2% slot rate, 91% wide CB rate, highest WR1 shadow rate
Versatility on display

Since 2021: 1st in defensive stops, 1st in pressures, 1st in sacks, 1st in snaps of press

— Arjun Menon (@arjunmenon100) January 31, 2024

On top of that, defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson said he wants his defensive backs to offer versatility, making Sneed an even more ideal fit in Tennessee’s defense.

Many assumed it would take a second-round pick to get this deal done, whether it be from 2024 or 2025. But the Titans didn’t give up that much, with the compensation amounting to a 2025 third-round pick and a swap of seventh-rounders with the Chiefs.

The last part of securing Sneed was getting him inked to an extension, something Tennessee was obviously successful in doing — and it’s a reasonable deal for the Titans that did not reset the market.

Sneed is signing a four-year deal worth $76 million, with $55 million guaranteed, according to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz.

That annual average ranks tied for seventh among cornerbacks, and the guaranteed money ranks fifth, per Over the Cap.

The only concern with Sneed is question marks about his knee after he dealt with an issue during the 2023 campaign that prevented him from practicing at points last season.

However, he only missed one game and was still one of the best in the business. Further, he’s only missed three games combined the last three seasons, so he isn’t some injury-prone player.

At the end of the day, there’s simply nothing to be mad about when it comes to the Titans making what amounts to a huge upgrade at the cornerback position, whether it be fit, trade compensation, or contract.

Grade: A+