2020 NFL Draft: First-round targets for the Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans 2019 Starters: Kenny Vaccaro, Kevin Byard

As previously mentioned, one direction the Titans could take in their secondary is at corner, with the selection of a prospect such as Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs. Another direction Tennessee could take would be a much more modern approach that fits more with the trends of NFL defenses and could kick off a true defensive revolution if successful.

Firstly, Grant Delpit is a prototypical strong safety for the NFL with range and physicality to be ready for the NFL from day one. Current free safety Kevin Byard is a better fit for the deep middle with his skill set and statistical history, but Delpit has the range and instincts to play center-field as well.

That being said, Delpit does some of his best work working from a shortened safety position where he is given the freedom to creep into the box and break down on any short passes or runs and punish with his physicality.

As said above, the selection of Delpit would encourage a move to a revolutionary defense, but not with Delpit. Current strong safety Kenny Vaccaro was formerly a young budding star in New Orleans, operating as a box-safety who did his best work attacking downfield.

If Delpit were taken into this Tennessee Titans organization, Vaccaro could be moved to the new-age position of “moneybacker” and provide a spark on the interior similar to what he did in New Orleans. Vaccaro would become a ‘slot-corner/4-3 outside-linebacker’ hybrid who would have assignments ranging from covering from in tight to blitzing on designed stunts.

When Vaccaro is on the field, he would be complemented by either slot corner Malcolm Butler or another linebacker, covering the assignment that Vaccaro leaves vacant. With the direction the NFL is taking with dynamic athletes, Delpit could play as a more rangy safety and give Vaccaro the freedom to reclaim his box-safety persona.