By BLAKE BEDDINGFIELD, special correspondent

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Cornerback for the Titans is an immediate need after the release of Malcolm Butler and Adoree’ Jackson and the free-agent departure of nickel corner Desmond King.

The Titans drafted Kristian Fulton in the second round in 2020. Fulton played very little during the season because of injuries and also because he was playing behind other players.

Georgia corner Eric Stokes at pro day/ Tony Walsh

The Titans will lean heavily on the inexperienced Fulton and need him to produce at a high level in his second year. The free-agent signings of Janoris Jenkins and Kevin Johnson gives the team veteran options, but neither are upgrades or even equal value to Butler or Jackson.

Tennessee will need to draft a cornerback in the premium rounds to add to the mix of veteran and second-year players.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Titans announced Tuesday morning that Jim Schwartz is now a senior defensive assistant on Mike Vrabel's Tuesday morning.

His original function with the organization was undefined, with a consultant feel and a to-be-determined feel. Monday sources were telling people Schwartz "had a role" with the team. 

Photo: 2008 Titans' media guide

It's now been determined, as Brent Dougherty first reported Monday. “We are excited to add Jim to our staff,” Mike Vrabel said in a press release. “He has a deep level of football knowledge and has overseen a great deal of success on the defensive side of the ball, so it always good to add a quality coach to our staff. This role will provide our defensive staff with Jim’s experience and perspective in the staff meetings and on the practice field.”

I retract my complaint about Vrabel's failure to add a significant outside voice to his defensive staff.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Jim Schwartz is back. Kind of.

It’s not in the role initially reported by Brent Dougherty, as a senior assistant. At least not yet. [UPDATE, Wednesday morning: The Titans announced Schwartz is their "senior defensive assistant." Hat tip to Dougherty who had it  Fresh story coming.]

Sources tell me that for right now it amounts to a consultant job that may entail a few days a week. Its final shape has not yet been determined, though Schwartz may have been at work for several weeks already.

As the 2020 season ended, reports said Schwartz would let his contract as Eagles' defensive coordinator expire and take a year off, perhaps contemplating retirement. Philadelphia wound up firing head coach Doug Pederson.

Schwartz maintains a home in Nashville and one in Maryland.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Mike Vrabel has never really said anything particularly forthcoming, informative or illustrative about Shane Bowen.

He didn’t again Monday, when he spoke to the media for the first time since the 2020 season ended, answering questions about officially giving the defensive coordinator the defensive coordinator title by saying Bowen is the defensive coordinator.

Shane Bowen and Mike Vrabel/ Pool photo by George Walker, The Tennessean

Before I try to understand why that is, let’s take a look at some of what Vrabel had told us about Bowen since one of the head coach’s original hires got a bigger profile when Dean Pees retired as defensive coordinator following the 2019 season.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The restrictions of a COVID season complicated things for sure, and the idea that Greg Maybin may have set off their outbreak may have made the Titans shy about churning the bottom of the roster last year.

They also had to wait on guys to pass a lot of tests to get into the building.

Matt Dickerson: Pool photo/ George Walker, The Tennessean

But I often wondered how they didn’t see better options to their struggling depth at corner or outside linebacker on expanded practice squads around the league.

By BLAKE BEDDINGFIELD, special correspondent

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Titans need another pass rusher to add to free-agent signee Bud Dupree and incumbent Harold Landry.

Dupree is coming off an ACL tear suffered late in the 2020 season and will likely be a PUP player entering training camp. He always lined up on the defensive right side for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Harold Landry has also been an effective right-side rusher. 

 Photo courtesy Texas sports information

It will be interesting to see who moves to the left and whether he is as effective on the opposite side. I remember in 2001 when we (the Titans) traded for Kevin Carter and added him to Jevon Kearse.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – You eat up mock drafts. They get the clicks.

I understand.

Fans of every team see one and are compelled to open it, scroll to their team and see the selection.

For mocks from credible draft analysts, I often join you.

Here’s my issue.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans appear on personnel pause with a long list of needs still confronting them.

They could make another move, or a few, in lower-cost free agency between now and the draft. They could see how they do with their nine picks in the NFL draft, including four in the top 100 before looking to fill in remaining holes with available veterans, including players who could be cut loose after teams fill needs with draft selections.

One area we’ve not looked at is restricted free agency, where there really isn’t much to consider.

The one, star attraction there is Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson.