Titans say they're not done remodeling their secondary

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- There will be a completely new look in the Tennessee Titans' secondary when they take the field in 2026.

Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi flipped the cornerback room quickly by releasing L'Jarius Sneed, who played in only 12 games over the past two seasons, and signing free agents Cor'Dale Flott, formerly of the New York Giants, along with Alontae Taylor, formerly of the New Orleans Saints. Borgonzi also signed former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams.

Despite the additions, Borgonzi hinted at more reinforcements coming, whether that be through the draft or later in free agency.

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"We have two guys on the outside now that started games in Taylor and Flott," Borgonzi said at the annual NFL meeting. "And Marcus [Harris] has played inside. So we feel good about where we're at there, but we're not done."

With the draft drawing closer, the Titans must figure out how their new secondary will settle into place. As Borgonzi said, Harris has experience playing inside. But new coach Robert Saleh has alluded to the nickel position expanding.

"You've got to get a little bit of size," Saleh said at the league meeting. "So that big nickel spot, we've been using it for a while. He's really a linebacker. I know people are looking at it like a safety, but he's really a linebacker. He's got to know the run game, know the pass game and be great in man coverage. It's a specialized spot."

Saleh has consistently mentioned wanting a player in the mold of Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori, who, at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, played an integral role in last season's Super Bowl-winning campaign. Second-year Titans safety Kevin Winston Jr. offers size at the nickel spot and played there toward the end of his rookie season. Saleh called Winston a fast and violent player. But he wants Winston to home in on one of the safety spots next to veteran Amani Hooker as opposed to nickel.

Winston's versatility, along with Hooker's all-around game, will play off each other, allowing Saleh to use them in different coverages. As defensive coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers last season, Saleh's scheme used safeties Ji'Ayir Brown and Malik Mustapha interchangeably, moving either into the slot or box, allowing the other to act as the single-high or part of a two-deep shell depending on the coverage call.