3. The Progress of the Defensive Backfield
Arguably Tennessee’s most glaring weakness last season was their secondary. The team’s run defense gave up historically bad numbers for a month-long stretch from part of October to November, but the defensive backfield was consistently burned all season.
The unit’s performance was enough to cause a coaching change at the position, and fans are eager to see what new defensive backs coach Charlton Warren can do with the group.
There isn’t a ton of turnover from this unit compare to last year, but losing both Cam Sutton and Malik Foreman will cause a shakeup on the depth chart for sure. Who steps up in their absence will be intriguing to see. Emmanuel Moseley and Justin Martin are the perceived favorites to land the starting cornerback spots, but Baylen Buchanan and Marquill Osborne will give them a run for their money as well.
The safeties will also be worth watching. Todd Kelly Jr. and Micah Abernathy are expected to be the two starters, but Nigel Warrior will continue to push them all throughout the offseason. Evan Berry won’t be on the field on Saturday, but he’ll be in contention in the fall as well.
