Titans rookie Elijah Molden brings a particular set of skills to a needy position

By John Glennon

    One of the topics Titans coach Mike Vrabel has touched on repeatedly over the years is the evolving role of slot receivers and – by necessity – slot cornerbacks in today’s NFL.

    Whereas most of the best slot receivers in past years were shifty, quicker-than-fast, possession-type pass catchers, things have changed. In order to create match-up problems, NFL teams have frequently rotated their top receiving options into the slot, forcing defenses to adjust – or suffer the consequences.

    More often than not during the 2020 season, the Titans suffered the consequences when it came to trying to defend slot receivers. But the team’s hope is that third-round draft pick Elijah Molden has – as the oft-repeated quote from the movie “Taken” goes – a “very particular set of skills” that might help solve the problem.

    Titans coach Mike Vrabel, not one to dole out praise in heaping helpings – especially toward rookies, offered up some kind words regarding Molden following Wednesday’s first day of training-camp practice.

    “They throw a lot of (bubble screens in the PAC-12) and he was really good at (defending) that,” Vrabel said. “We are just going to have to keep working him on those (vertical) routes down the field that we have talked about in the past . . .

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Author: John GlennonMulti-media journalist with extensive expertise covering the NFL, NHL, professional soccer and more, including the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators for The Tennessean with articles, videos and podcasts. Strengths include the ability to write quick, concise and thorough analysis, as well as the ability to uncover unique human-interest stories. In working as a reporter, John developed skills that extend beyond the sports journalism world. An efficient and effective communicator, John is confident, calm and productive under deadline pressure and knows the power of the written word. John brings to Broadway Sports a work ethic second to none, an intellectual hunger, and an ability to inform and entertain readers, viewers and listeners. Reach out directly to John at: