Highlights of McCreary’s Performance:
- Completion Rate: Allowed 71.9%
- Passer Rating Allowed: Just 87.3 when targeted
- Overall PFF Grade: 71.3
- Coverage Grade: 72.2
According to PFF, these stats are impressive, especially for a rookie.
In a recent article, Gennaro Filice of NFL.com highlighted the most underappreciated player on every team and chose McCreary for the Titans. While he might fly under the national radar, Titans fans know just how valuable he is after he stood out amidst the cornerbacks' struggles last season.
Tennessee’s secondary has been a persistent problem during Mike Vrabel’s tenure, with cornerbacks constantly dealing with injuries and inconsistency. The Titans took action in March by trading for L’Jarius Sneed and signing Chidobe Awuzie, shoring up their outside coverage. Interestingly, GM Ran Carthon didn't touch the nickelback spot this offseason. Why? Because McCreary had emerged as a standout player in the slot. After a mixed rookie season playing mostly outside, he moved inside and truly flourished.
With new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, who brings a wealth of experience coaching NFL defensive backs, McCreary is set to continue his rise at a position that’s increasingly critical.
Despite McCreary's standout season, another player who might deserve the "underappreciated" label is guard Daniel Brunskill. Brunskill was the most consistent offensive lineman last season, allowing just two sacks and 26 pressures in 449 pass-block snaps. Yet, despite his solid performance, he hasn’t been given enough credit and is still fighting to retain the starting right guard job in 2024.
In the end, while McCreary’s national recognition might be lacking, his performance speaks volumes. Titans fans and savvy football analysts see him as a critical piece of Tennessee’s defense moving forward.
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