Tennessee Titans: 30 greatest players in franchise history
By John Buhler
35. . LT. (1993-05). Brad Hopkins. 19. player
- 2x Pro Bowl (2000, 2003)
- Second-Team All-Pro (2000)
- 194 career games w/Oilers/Titans
- 188 career starts w/Oilers/Titans
Brad Hopkins spent his entire 13-year NFL career with the Oilers/Titans franchise. After a stellar career playing for the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Big Ten, Hopkins would be the No. 13 overall pick by the Oilers in the 1993 NFL Draft.
Hopkins started in 11 of his first 16 NFL games with the 1993 Oilers. He became a full-time starter the next year and never relinquished it for the next dozen seasons. During the early part of his career, Hopkins was responsible for protecting quarterback Steve McNair’s blind side and opening up holes for running back Eddie George to sprint through down in Houston.
By the time the franchise became the Titans in 1999, Hopkins was about to enter his prime as a professional. Fresh off a Super Bowl XXXIX appearance, Hopkins made his first of two career trips to the Pro Bowl in 2000. He was named to the All-Pro Second-Team for the only time in his career as well in that campaign.
While he was overshadowed by teammate Bruce Matthews on the Oilers/Titans offensive line, Hopkins proved to be no slouch. McNair became an NFL MVP with Hopkins as his blindside protector, along with becoming a perennial Pro Bowler with George in the Titans backfield.
Hopkins made his second of two career trips to the Pro Bowl in 2003. He would play two more seasons with the Titans before retiring after the 2005 NFL season at the age of 35. By playing in the NFL for 15 years, he and McNair were the last former Oilers on the Titans roster heading into 2006.
Overall, Hopkins played in 194 games with the Oilers/Titans. He started in almost all of them, totaling 188 in his career, predominantly at left tackle. While Matthews and Mike Munchak are Pro Football Hall of Famers and Hopkins is not, it’s hard to overlook the steadiness Hopkins played with in his 15 years in the NFL with one franchise. His spot in the top-20 is merited.