Eric Decker (87) is tackled by Tennessee Titans cornerback Alterraun Verner (20) during the second half. Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Tennessee Titans cornerback Alterraun Verner has been a plus player in this league ever since his rookie year, but he took things to a whole new level last season. Fellow top-notch Titans corner Jason McCourty received a lucrative deal in the recent past, and now it’s time for Verner to snare his big payday after a monster season in which he picked off five passes and recorded 23 passes defended. Vernon, Vontae Davis, and Brent Grimes are the top three impending free agent corners, and it’s anyone’s guess as to which one is the most valuable.
The Nashville Tennessean’s Jim Wyatt reports that the Titans and Verner’s agent will meet at the Combine to discuss a new contract that will keep the star CB off of the free agent market. Wyatt writes that the “hope” is that a long-term deal will be reached, but I’m not sure that’s going to happen. The Titans have $10 million in cap space and might not be as willing to commit to a massive deal to Verner given the amount of money they have tied up in McCourty. However, Verner’s talent trumps all of that, so the Titans would be willing to keep him. The most important issue is what Verner wants, and the 25-year-old is so young and talented that he’s best off testing his value on the free agent market. If the Titans give him an offer he can’t refuse, then I’m sure he’ll take it. But I’m also not sure the Titans will offer that.
Wyatt adds that the Titans are “still not expected” to use the franchise tag on Verner, and it would be an absolute shock for them to do that. The tag would cost them a little over $11 million, and that’s simply too much money and too little security for the Titans.