NFL Coach Praises L'Jarius Sneed: Titans CB Is 'Such a Pain in the Ass'

Sometimes, being called "a pain in the ass" is a badge of honor.

That's how one NFC offensive coach described Tennessee Titans cornerback L'Jarius Sneed to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

"You're in for a long day when you play him," the coach said.

The comments came as part of Fowler's annual NFL positional rankings, which saw Sneed listed as the fourth-best corner. That's a massive jump from 2023, when the two-time Super Bowl champion was only in the honorable mention category.

Sneed had 78 tackles, two interceptions and 14 passes defended in 16 starts for the Kansas City Chiefs last year. According to Pro Football Reference, he surrendered zero touchdown passes and allowed just 4.8 yards per target.

The Titans made a big bet on the 2020 fourth-round pick, acquiring him from the Chiefs and handing him a four-year, $76.4 million extension.

Tennessee clearly isn't alone in viewing Sneed as an upper-tier defensive back. One AFC defensive coach told Fowler that "he can dominate as a physical press corner because of his physicality, and he's always up for the challenge."

"Excels in man or zone," the coach said. "And he has a knack for timely playmaking, and he will come up in run support and tackle."

The pressure will be on Sneed to continue delivering and perhaps take his game to another level in 2024.