Heading into the 2023 season, Tennessee Titans cornerback Kristian Fulton was one of the most hyped-up players.
Many felt that the LSU product was on the verge of a true breakout season, considering he was in a contract year that could end up leading to a massive payday had he played well.
Buy Titans TicketsUnfortunately, after three weeks you could make a strong argument that he’s likely lost a lot of the projected money he was expected to make rather than setting himself up for a major raise in 2024.
Head coach Mike Vrabel recently discussed ways for Fulton to improve, and the Titans head coach gave a very blunt and straightforward answer.
“Do your job,” said Vrabel. “You asked me a couple years ago what you can do to help a pass rusher pass rush. Do your job. Cover your man, play cover two, re-route, play inside number one when you’re in quarters.”
Vrabel did go on to say that Fulton did some good things and believes he’s going to be OK. He also attributed the blown coverage on Amari Cooper’s 43-yard touchdown reception to a “mental error.”
“Kristian did some cool things,” he said. “Kristian challenged, he tackled, he had a penalty and late in the game, he made a mistake. I think Kristian is going to be just fine. He triggered, he tackled, I think he was trying to do the things that we want him to do, just had a mental error late in the game.”
Titans’ Vrabel on his straightforward advice to Kristian Fulton: pic.twitter.com/ELSeY0vlqA
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) September 27, 2023
Whatever the case may be, the reality is Tennessee needs much better production out of its top cornerback.
According to Pro Football Focus, Fulton’s overall grade sits at 39.8, largely due to the fact that his passer rating when targeted this year is 158.3, which is a perfect passer rating in the NFL.
In total, opposing quarterbacks have completed 87.5 percent of their passes against him (7-of-8) for 165 yards and one touchdown. Fulton would have allowed even more yardage and another touchdown had it not been for a blown call by officials in Week 3.
Things won’t get any easier for Fulton, who will draw a matchup against Ja’Marr Chase and the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4.
If this defense is going to get back to being one of the league’s best, it needs Fulton to get back to being the dominant player he once was.
