Mike Hilton entered free agency this offseason after spending the previous four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Hilton went unsigned through the initial period of free agency, and the veteran is now one of the best cornerbacks available. With so many teams needing to add a quality corner, it seems like the veteran could sign any day now.
Cory Woodroof of For the Win recently predicted where the top remaining free agents will sign. For Hilton, Woodroof sees the veteran heading south and signing with the Tennessee Titans.
Regarding Hilton’s fit on the Titans, Woodroof offered the following:
The Titans could use an upgrade at the nickel cornerback spot, and Hilton is one of the best in the business. He could follow former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan to Tennessee.
In 2024, Hilton played in 16 games and collected 73 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, five pass deflections, and one interception. Pro Football Focus was bullish on Hilton’s performance, giving the veteran a 75.9 overall grade.
Perhaps most impressive is Hilton’s performance as a run defender, however. Pro Football Focus gave Hilton an incredible 91.7 run defense grade, which ranked first among 222 qualified corners. This could interest the Titans after the team finished 26th in rushing yards allowed in 2024.
While Hilton has earned high marks for his run defense, the corner is no slouch in pass coverage, either. Hilton has secured at least one interception in each of his eight NFL seasons and came down with a career-high three in 2020.
As Woodroof mentioned, Hilton would make sense as a target for the Titans due to his connection with Brian Callahan, who is entering his second season as the Titans head coach after serving as the Bengals’ offensive coordinator previously.
Perhaps owing to that Callahan connection, the Titans brought in fellow Bengal corner Chidobe Awuzie last offseason. Awuzie was cut by the Titans last week, though, signifying the need for another veteran body in the Titans’ secondary.
In Nashville, Hilton would likely start as the slot cornerback. Roger McCreary was serviceable at the position in 2024, but the corner isn’t the elite run defender that Hilton is.
While the Titans finished with a run defense that ranked near the bottom of the NFL in 2024, the pass defense was the exact opposite. Despite an awful three-win campaign, the Titans allowed the fewest passing yards in the league last year.
Bringing in Hilton to compliment L’Jarius Sneed and Jarvis Brownlee Jr. could help the Titans maintain an elite pass defense in 2025. Spotrac projects the veteran to land a three-year deal worth $12.3 million annually.
Over the Cap projects the Titans to have around $55 million in remaining cap space, so a move for Hilton isn’t out of the equation.