The Tennessee Titans are finalizing a deal to acquire cornerback L'Jarius Sneed from the Kansas City Chiefs for a pair of draft picks. The Chiefs placed the $19.8 million non-exclusive franchise tag on Sneed earlier this month but were unable to reach a long-term deal, leading to the trade.
As part of the deal, the Titans will send their third-round pick in the 2025 draft and swap seventh-round selections with the Chiefs in the upcoming draft.
Sneed, 27, was drafted in the fourth round in 2020 and has emerged as one of the top cornerbacks in the league. He played a crucial role in the Chiefs' defense during their back-to-back Super Bowl victories.
Known for his ability to shadow top receivers and limit their impact, Sneed posted impressive statistics in the regular season, allowing a passer rating of just 55.9 on throws in his coverage. He recorded two interceptions and 14 passes defensed in 16 games last season, bringing his career totals to 10 interceptions and 40 passes defensed.
The Titans recently bolstered their secondary by signing cornerback Chidobe Awuzie to a three-year, $36 million deal with $23 million guaranteed. The team's new defensive coordinator, Dennard Wilson, is looking to strengthen the defense, especially with 2021 first-round pick Caleb Farley facing injury challenges.
Tennessee's pass defense ranked 18th in the league, allowing 227.4 yards per game, but struggled in generating interceptions, recording only six in the entire 2023 season.
The Titans will face stiff competition in the AFC South, which features young and talented quarterbacks like C.J. Stroud in Houston, Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville, and Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis.
With the addition of Sneed and Awuzie, the Titans aim to fortify their defense and contend in a competitive division as they prepare for the upcoming NFL season.
