Titans free agent spotlight: CB Breon Borders

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking a closer look at the Titans’ free agent class. One by one, we’ll provide some basic details on the player before making an argument for both sides — why the Titans should, or shouldn’t re-sign that player. We’ll also offer our final verdict and a prediction to go along with it.

Name: Breon Borders

Position: cornerback

Age: 25

Why the Titans should keep Borders: Few defensive players surprised the team in a pleasant way in 2020, but Breon Borders was one of those players. Forced into the lineup after an injury to Adoree Jackson and early season struggles from players such as Johnathan Joseph and Chris Jackson, Borders was viewed as the next man up by the coaching staff. He responded with some very impressive performances down the mid to late stretch of the season. Borders unfortunately ended the season on injured reserve with a hip injury, but he showed more than enough to warrant bringing him back as a depth piece in 2021. He shouldn’t be relied on as heavily as he was at times during 2020, but he’s a young player that showed that he belongs at this level.

Why the Titans should let Borders walk: I can’t think of any good reasons why you wouldn’t bring him back to be honest. He struggled badly in one game in particular, and I guess you could make the argument that he showed his true colors in that one. After all, it’s rare that a 25-year-old player that went undrafted explodes onto the scene, but Borders had more good games than bad ones in 2020.

Final verdict: The team brings him back on a team-friendly deal. He’ll be viewed as an ideal fifth or sixth cornerback on the depth chart. Borders is actually an exclusive rights free agent (ERFA), which means the Titans control Borders’ rights as long as they offer him a one-year contract at the league minimum (based on his credited seasons). If they do that, he can’t even negotiate with another team.

Prediction: Borders is back in Tennessee.

What are your thoughts? Should the Titans re-sign Borders? Leave your opinion in the comments.