In our latest installment of training camp previews for the Tennessee Titans ahead of training camp, which begins on July 27, we’re taking a closer look at the safety position.
Tennessee enjoyed great success from their starting safeties in 2021, as Kevin Byard returned to his elite form after a shaky 2020 campaign, and Amani Hooker made a big leap in his first full season as a starter.
But not only did the pair play well, they were among the best safety duos in the NFL in 2021, as evidenced by their earning two of the top-five overall Pro Football Focus grades at the position in 2021.
Recently, Byard was ranked as the No. 1 coverage free safety by PFF, and Hooker the No. 6 all-around safety. Also, NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks gave Tennessee’s duo the label of the second-best safety tandem in the league.
While Tennessee is set at the top of the depth chart, the team still has some things to figure out behind Byard and Hooker. We take a closer look at that and more in our training camp preview for the safeties.
Roster locks
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
Roster locks: Kevin Byard, Amani Hooker, A.J. Moore
Moore was signed as a free agent earlier this offseason, so we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt here. On top of a backup role at safety, Moore will also contribute as a key member on special teams.
On the bubble
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
On the bubble: Theo Jackson, Chris Jackson, Shyheim Carter, Rodney Clemons, Michael Griffin II
A 2020 seventh-round pick, Chris Jackson has managed to stick in Nashville for two seasons. We listed him in our cornerbacks preview, but the Marshall product has the ability to play safety as well.
Jackson was a 2022 sixth-round pick of Tennessee and, along with Jackson, is the favorite to emerge from this group. Carter and Clemons were both signed to futures deals this offseason, and Griffin is a UDFA.
The competition
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
While we listed Moore as one of three roster locks, his exact role on defense isn’t cemented quite yet.
Yes, he’ll play a key role on special teams, but will he be the first man off the bench if an injury occurs at safety? That remains to be seen, but he should be considered the favorite for the scraps behind Byard and Hooker, both of whom played over 90 percent of snaps last season.
The best bets to supplant Moore on the depth chart are Theo and Chris Jackson, two players who offer…
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