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Tennessee Titans poised to have a top-5 rookie class

By Will Lomas

Aug 30, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Massachusetts Minutemen wide receiver Tajae Sharpe (1) breaks the tackle of Boston College Eagles defensive back Sean Sylvia (19) and runs for a touchdown during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Massachusetts Minutemen wide receiver Tajae Sharpe (1) breaks the tackle of Boston College Eagles defensive back Sean Sylvia (19) and runs for a touchdown during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bucky Brooks thinks that the Tennessee Titans could have a top-5 rookie class in the NFL this year. However, let’s look at some of the back story to the draft that really set up this rookie class to be successful.

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The Tennessee Titans needed a lot of help this offseason. After making the (what looks like) outstanding move of bringing in new GM Jon Robinson, the fan base got to sit back and watch him build an identity through his free agent moves.

Bringing in upgrades at wide receiver, offensive line, running back, and across the board on defense made it much easier for Jon Robinson to show the fans what he wanted this team to be by drafting his guys.

It is that culture building on top of great value with his picks, that should have most fans excited with this class. However, for once you don’t have to just take my word for it. Bucky Brooks of NFL media posted an article on his top draft classes from the 2016 NFL Draft, and guess who made the cut.

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    • He wrote over 300 words on the topic, and I would encourage you to click the link above and check it all out. These were the quotes that I thought were the most interesting:

    On the top pick in Jack Conklin

    “GM Jon Robinson cleverly parlayed the top overall pick into a bevy of selections that should pay immediate dividends for the Titans. Jack Conklin solidifies the edge on Marcus Mariota‘s front side in pass protection as a “plug and play” starter at right tackle. The 6-foot-6, 308-pounder will neutralize some of the power rushers within the division — namely J.J. Watt — while teaming with Chance Warmack to give the Titans an impressive set of people-movers on the right side.”

    People forget that the Titans ended up getting a guy they loved at a position they needed, all while picking up two picks in the second round, a pick in the third, and a 2017 1st round pick. That is a crazy amount to give up for a guy you already wanted.

    Also, you can’t be any more complimentary of an offensive linemen than by saying that he “will neutralize some of the power rushers in the division” and then name dropping J.J. Watt. Whew, that would be a dream come true to Titans fans.

    On Tajae Sharpe:

    “Tajae Sharpe has been one of the “hype bunnies” of the offseason after impressing team officials with his slick route-running ability and strong hands. He is already penciled in as a WR2, but he could become Mariota’s top target in key situations as a “chain mover” between the hashes. ”

    Remember when Kendall Wright was in his prime over his first two years and looked like he could convert any thing into a first down? Well, we may be seeing a bigger, cheaper version of that in Sharpe.

    With Rishard Matthews quietly taking over one starting receiver position, Sharpe and Dorial Green-Beckham should be battling for reps on the other side of the field. If DGB is the vertical, deep threat who also is a nightmare to cover in the endzone, and Sharpe becomes the chain moving, run after catch receiver that wins with his route running, then that could be a heck of a tandem.

    On Kevin Byard:

    “Keep an eye on Kevin Byard as a potential game changer in the secondary. The wily ballhawk had a knack for snagging interceptions as a collegian (19 career picks), and his playmaking skills will be accentuated in a defense that forces quarterbacks into hurried throws from the pocket. ”

    People are really sleeping on Byard. He is an intelligent, rangy safety who was consistently taking the ball away in college. He would be a great addition to this team no matter what, but on a defense that could be top-8 in sacks with this coordinator? That could be deadly.

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    He also had complimentary things to say about the Titans running game, and Kevin Dodd as a third pass rusher in the mix in Tennessee.

    That is a ton of praise for the Titans, and I am telling you now that fans should be more excited than they are to watch this team take the field again. Win or lose this year, the pieces seem to be there for long term success.

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