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Ranking the Tennessee Titans rookies by playing time

By Will Lomas

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker (14) is brought down by Clemson Tigers defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) and defensive end Kevin Dodd (98) during the first quarter in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker (14) is brought down by Clemson Tigers defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) and defensive end Kevin Dodd (98) during the first quarter in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Tennessee Titans rookie draft class has a chance to look really special. Not only are there guys who should come in and start today, but this team looks full of potential immediate rotational players and starter down the road.

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It is time to start gathering your thoughts on just which of these rookies you need to be aware of heading into the season. This quick ranking of playing time should give you a good way to remember who those guys in the new numbers are.

1. RT Jack Conklin round 1

He has to be the top guy right? From the way camp sounds, it seems like both Conklin and Taylor Lewan are in for big years, which is great for this team.

He is on top of this list because even if the Titans brought in another tackle (which they absolutely aren’t going to) they could move Conklin inside and not miss a beat. He is physical, smart, has the desire, and he seems like he is a technician when he describes how he sets up blocks. Guys like that can play anywhere and they can do it for a long time.

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    • 2. WR Tajae Sharpe round 5

    Sharpe is going to be the Tennessee Titans starting receiver from week one. He is amazingly consistent and is beating the best defensive backs on the Titans roster routinely. Even a veteran staff that would tend to skew towards veterans is ready to send him out there.

    3. RB Derrick Henry round 2

    It already looks like Henry is going to be a factor in this offense, the only question is how much do the Titans want to expose him to with DeMarco Murray quietly having a great camp.

    Do the Titans really want to expose him to a ton of hits and reps if he is poised to be the lead back in 2017? I don’t know that they are very worried about it, but with the quick expiration date on running backs I could see them being a little more conservative with him if Murray is as good as advertised.

    4. S Kevin Byard round 3

    I am very high on Byard as we head into the preseason. He seems like he is going to be physical for a free safety, and his collegiate track record as a ball hawk is inspirational on that end.

    If he doesn’t get a lot of reps there, he will definitely earn some playing time as a special teams player for the Titans. Mike Mularkey has already praised his ability in the third phase of the game, and talk is that he is steadily working his way up the depth chart and could already be a sub package player.

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    5. EDGE Kevin Dodd round 2

    Now we are getting a little speculative. I like Dodd enough as a run stopper who is relentless with his pursuit of the quarterback. Injuries will slow him through the first game of the season, and hopefully he shows enough in games 2-4 that they can rely on him as the first rotational edge rusher.

    6/7. DL Austin Johnson round 2/Antwaun Woods UDFA

    Austin Johnson is going to be a good player for this football team, I watched him tear apart college offensive lines and everything he did should translate to the NFL. I believe the reason why he is behind Woods on the Titans depth chart is a combination of two things.

    1. I think that he is being asked to learn 5-tech and nose tackle at the same time, which isn’t very confusing but it cuts his reps in half. Who is getting reps when he is at 5-tech? Woods.

    2. Woods is an underrated player. He has kinda always been a good run stuffer who is harder to move even if he doesn’t blow you away on 3rd down. Remember this is a Dick LeBeau defense where Casey Hampton wrestled with centers for a decade and kept his inside linebackers clean.

    All the rest:

    Leshaun Sims CB: Good buzz, but likely needs special teams to make the roster

    Sebastian Tretola G: Looks like he is being groomed to be the right guard once Chance Warmack leaves. Good situation, redshirt year.

    Aaron Wallace LB: Was getting nice reviews then was injured. Prime candidate for an I.R. spot to be reevaluated next year.

    Kalan Reed: More buzz than Sims, and likely ahead of him on the depth chart. Still probably needs special teams to make the roster, but probably a practice squad guy in year one.

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