Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson has had some impressive drafts since taking over in 2016, but is one of his draft classes the best the franchise has seen since 2000?
CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo picked the best draft class of every NFL team since 2000, and Robinson’s 2016 draft class is the Titans’ best in his eyes.
Here’s a look at Robinson’s haul from that year.
- Round 1, Pick 8: RT Jack Conklin
- Round 2, Pick 33: DE Kevin Dodd
- Round 2, Pick 43: DT Austin Johnson
- Round 2, Pick 45: RB Derrick Henry
- Round 3, Pick 64: S Kevin Byard
- Round 5, Pick 140: WR Tajae Sharpe
- Round 5, Pick 157: CB LeShaun Sims
- Round 6, Pick 193: OG Sebastian Tretola
- Round 7, Pick 222: OLB Aaron Wallace
- Round 7, Pick 253: CB Kalan Reed
Here’s what DeArdo had to say about the 2016 class:
“While second-round pick Derrick Henry is the crown jewel, the Titans had four other players from this draft become starters during the first four years of their careers. Right tackle Jack Conklin, an All-Pro in 2016, signed a multi-year deal with the Browns earlier this offseason. Nose tackle Austin Johnson signed with the Giants this offseason after making 13 starts during his final three years with the Titans. Safety Kevin Byard earned All-Pro honors in 2017 after leading the NFL with eight interceptions.
“Receiver Tajae Sharpe signed with the Vikings earlier this offseason after making 29 starts in three active seasons in Nashville, while LeShaun Sims has also been a solid contributor for a fifth-round selection. We’d be remiss not to take a second to further acknowledge Henry, who rushed for 2,170 yards (including the postseason) while leading the Titans to the AFC Championship Game this past season.”
While Robinson no doubt whiffed on Dodd and the last three picks, guys like Conklin, Johnson, Henry, Byard, Sharpe and Sims all made contributions to the team over the years — some more than others.
Byard and Henry have emerged into stars, and Conklin was a top-flight right tackle for two of his four seasons with the Titans.
Of the 2016 class, only Henry and Byard remain on the team, as Conklin, Johnson, Sharpe and Sims all moved on this offseason.
As good as that year’s draft was, the 2017 class definitely has a place in this discussion. That year, the Titans drafted four current starters in Corey Davis, Adoree’ Jackson, Jonnu Smith and Jayon Brown.
And, in a few years we might be talking about the 2019 class as one of the franchise’s best since 2000, but that group still has a bit more proving to do.
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