Secondary
Returning: Cornerbacks: Safeties: Key additions: Cornerback: Malcolm Butler; Safeties: Dane Cruikshank, Kendrick Lewis, Damon Webb Key departures: Safeties: Da’Norris Searcy, Curtis Riley
come down to matchups with individual receivers on a game-by-game basis.
LeShaun Sims, Tye Smith, Kalan Reed and Demontre Hurst provide additional depth at cornerback. last season. The impressive total included three multi-pick games: He had three interceptions in an overtime victory against the Browns and two picks against both the Ravens and Jaguars.
But the former MTSU star, entering just his third season in the league, has said he’s not focusing on a repeat performance. At least, not in terms of individual statistics.
Byard is thinking about a Super Bowl Logan Ryan, Adoree’ Jackson, LeShaun Sims, Tye Smith, Kalan Reed, DeMontre Hurst; Kevin Byard, Johnathan Cyprien, Brynden Trawick
Dane Cruikshank’s impact as a rookie?
The 6-foot-1, 209-pound Cruikshank might serve as Cyprien’s primary backup with the departure of Da’Norris Searcy. The Titans traded up to draft the versatile defensive back with the 152nd overall pick in the fifth round.
Cruikshank played the "spur" safety role as a senior in college, usually lining up in the slot or just outside the tackle box. He had 75 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three interceptions, five pass breakups and a forced fumble in 13 games last season. Two of the interceptions were against Josh Rosen and Sam Darnold, two of the four quarterbacks drafted in the top 10 in the first round. Cruikshank played cornerback as a junior, tying for the team lead with two interceptions.
Also in the mix at safety: veteran Kendrick Lewis, who last played with the Ravens in 2016 and was Mike Vrabel’s teammate in Kansas City; special teams standout Brynden Trawick, who reached the Pro Bowl last season; and undrafted free agent Damon Webb, who played under secondary coach Kerry Coombs at Ohio State.
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