Tennessee Titans 2012 Rookie Group Grade
Nov 25, 2012; Jacksonville FL, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kendall Wright (13) runs between Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman Jeremy Mincey (94) and cornerback Derek Cox (21) in the first quarter of their game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
We’ve been releasing individual grades for the Tennessee Titans rookie season performances in the 2012 season and now it’s time to recap those grades and come with an overall group grade. Thanks to all the writers here at Titan Sized who put in the work on these grades.
Oct 7, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kendall Wright (13) catches a pass against the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth quarter at the Metrodome. The Vikings win 30-7. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
1st pick (20th) WR Kendall Wright GRADE: B
"Kendall Wright will no doubt prove to be a strong addition to the Tennessee Titans franchise. We are currently experiencing some growing pains on both sides of the ball, but in just his first year of professional football, Wright has shown that he is already on par with respected veterans of the league, and he will only continue to get better as he matures as a player, and the offense begins to find it’s identity."
Nov 25, 2012; Jacksonville FL, USA; Tennessee Titans linebacker Zach Brown (55) sacks Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne (7) in the first quarter of their game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
2nd pick (52nd) OLB Zach Brown GRADE: A
"Brown consistently made himself noticeable in games, he did not hide or shy away from contact, and was an immediate play maker for a defense that desperately needed one. Look for Brown to be a play maker for the Titans now and in the future. Brown teamed with other young LB’s Akeem Ayers, and Colin McCarthy has the potential to be a special group."
Aug 30, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Mike Martin (67) puts pressure on New Orleans Saints quarterback Sean Canfield (4) during the first half of a preseason game at LP Field. Tennessee won 10 to 6. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
3rd pick (82nd) DT Mike Martin GRADE: A-
"Martin has shown more than enough to be a starter, and enough flashes to convince me he could one day be a dominant UT. I don’t think he’ll ever become a Melton/Kevin Williams type UT, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he makes enough strides to become a 6 sack a year player, and with his dominance in the run game, that would be one hell of a starter."
Sep 16, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Ronnie Brown (30) runs the ball to the one yardline before being tackled by Tennessee Titans cornerback Coty Sensabaugh (24) during the fourth quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
4th pick (115th) CB Coty Sensabaugh GRADE: C+
"Sensabaugh mainly played nickel for the Titans and that looks to be the position that he will stick at unless there are injuries to the starters. On tape, he looks a little indecisive and he must get that fixed if he would like to play often."
Dec 23, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Tennessee Titans tight end Taylor Thompson (84) reaches back to try and catch a pass during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
5th pick (145th)TE Taylor Thompson GRADE: C
"Overall I grade Thompson out at a “C”. His contribution level was obviously low, and he has a lot to work on, but there weren’t any real expectations for him either. Based on special teams play and blocking, he would grade out higher, but in the NFL you can’t draft guys to play special teams."
Jan 2, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys safety Markelle Martin (10) before the game against the Stanford Cardinal in the 2012 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Hilderbrand-USA TODAY Sports
6th pick (190th)FS Markelle Martin GRADE: To Be Determined
"It would seem to be essential for the Titans to either draft a young, stud safety (Matt Elam, DJ Swearinger) or sign a proven, dependable guy, which would probably be harder to find. But if they don’t, then perhaps they believe that Markelle Martin can be the answer. He might just be. He was pretty damn good at Oklahoma State before having knee problems that caused him to drop to the sixth round of the 2012 draft and subsequently miss his first season as a rookie. Still, he might be an option. I hope he is, but we’ll find out soon enough."
Aug 23, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Ryan Lindley (14) passes against Tennessee Titans defensive end Scott Solomon (90) during the second half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
7th pick (211th) DE Scott Solomon GRADE: C+
"He needs to be more effective in his sophomore year. Perhaps some of his struggles were due to an injured foot that cost him his 2011 college season. I don’t know, but Solomon didn’t make enough of an impression this year to warrant more than a C+."
2012 Rookie Season Group Grade: B –
While the Titans rookies didn’t have the same type of season the class before them had, it’s still hard to be disappointed with the 2012 draft. It’s always a guessing game, and the Titans guessed quite well once again. They gained solid starting players in Wright, Brown, Martin, and the verdict is still out on some of the other picks.
Here’s looking forward to the 2013 NFL draft where the Titans will be gunning for picks that help them make the playoffs in 2013.
66 days until the draft.
You can find me on Twitter @JustinLStewart