Tag: hassan haskins

Titans’ Derrick Henry calls Hassan Haskins ‘a beast’

Derrick Henry has been impressed with what he’s seen from Hassan Haskins thus far.

One of the more surprising picks the Tennessee Titans made during the 2022 NFL draft was the fourth-round selection of Michigan running back Hassan Haskins.

Now, that’s not to say we didn’t think the Titans could take a running back at all, just not that early and not before what we perceived were bigger needs, like tight end, which Tennessee would later address.

But the pick definitely makes sense. Derrick Henry is approaching the age of 30, and the Titans are likely hoping to take some of the load off his shoulders in the years to come.

When asked about his new teammate, Henry called Haskins “a beast” and was impressed with the 6-foot-2, 228-pound back’s size.

“I was excited when we got him,” Henry said, per Jim Wyatt of Titans Online. “Hassan is a beast. I was able to catch his game vs. Ohio State when he went off. Seeing him in person, he is a big dude, and he’s a solid dude. Seeing him [at practice], I can tell everything is coming natural to him. I just told him: ‘Don’t try to get too overwhelmed, just take it day by day.”

The game Henry is talking about saw Haskins go for 169 rushing yards and five scores — both career-highs — in a 42-27 victory over the Buckeyes in 2021.

Speaking of beasts, Henry is the definition of one with his massive 6-foot-3, 247-pound frame, powerful running style and underrated speed, all things Haskins raved about upon meeting Henry.

“He’s big. I thought I was pretty big but he’s a large guy, I’m not going to lie,” Haskins said, via Mickey Ryan of 104.5 The Zone. “It’s crazy. I’ve never seen anything like that. He’s so big and so fast, it’s ridiculous.”

The Michigan product says he feels “way more confident” from where he was when the offseason program began, and he’s been wisely watching Henry for any knowledge he can soak up.

“I definitely watch him, all his moves,” Haskins said of Henry. “Just seeing how he is, how he handles himself. He’s a super-cool dude… I just want to keep picking his brain and keep getting better.”

Looking ahead to his rookie season, Haskins will be one of the backs who spells Henry, and the hope is that the rookie can thrive in that role and allow Henry to lessen his workload a bit, which could help extend his career.

However, the ultimate goal for Haskins is, of course, to become a starter. He isn’t sure when he’ll get his opportunity to do that, but having to work his way up the depth chart is nothing new for the 22-year-old.

“In college, I wasn’t starting right away — I had to work my way,” Haskins said. “Now, I have to do the same thing — I have to keep working each day. It may not be tomorrow, it may not be a couple of years, but I am going to keep working and get better to have a role on this team.”

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Titans rookies marvel at Derrick Henry’s size: ‘That’s a big human’

Titans RB Hassan Haskins on Derrick Henry: “He’s so big and so fast, it’s ridiculous.”

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For the first time since being drafted by the Tennessee Titans, quarterback Malik Willis and running back Hassan Haskins both got their first in-person look at Henry while on the field at mandatory minicamp.

And, as is the case with most people who come across Henry in real life, they were dumbfounded at just how big the hulking 6-foot-3, 237-pound running back is.

“That’s a big human, dude,” Willis said with a smile, per FOX Nashville’s Jill Jelnick. “I just thought he was huge. I was like, ‘dang, I see why he’s stiff-arming people and all that.’ That’s what’s up, though, he’s on my team.”

“He’s big. I thought I was pretty big but he’s a large guy, I’m not going to lie,” Haskins said, via Mickey Ryan of 104.5 The Zone. “It’s crazy. I’ve never seen anything like that. He’s so big and so fast, it’s ridiculous.”

The good news for Tennessee’s rookies is that they don’t have to tackle Henry, who often tosses grown men like rag dolls.

“Derrick’s obviously built differently,” quarterback Ryan Tannehill said. “Not a lot of guys walking around on planet Earth looking like Derrick. Obviously the things he can do are next level in a lot of different areas, so it’s always fun to see what he’s doing out there, and obviously the people love it.”

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Derrick Henry calls Hassan Haskins a beast

Haskins is really turning some heads in Tennessee!

The Tennessee Titans drafted former Michigan football bruiser Hassan Haskins with the 131st pick in the 2021 NFL draft in April.

The Titans started their mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, giving players and coaches the chance to talk about what they are seeing on the field.

Derrick Henry, the former offensive player of the year, had a chance to talk about the new rookie running back. Henry said that he was excited when the Titans drafted him, and he called Haskins a beast. Henry said he watched the Michigan game when Haskins went off against Ohio State. Haskins had 28 carries for 169 yards and five touchdowns en route to a 42-27 win against the Buckeyes.

The 6-foot-3 247-pound Henry also called Haskins a big dude. You can see his comments in the video below.

Haskins also commented on Henry, and the former Wolverine immediately talked about Henry’s size.

“He’s big!” Haskins exclaimed. “I thought I was big, but he’s a large guy.”

Haskins was then asked about Henry’s speed, and Haskins said he has never seen that kind of speed with Henry’s size.

“It’s crazy, I’ve never seen anything like that,” said Henry. “He’s so big and so fast, it’s crazy!”

Henry wasn’t the only person that has been impressed with the rookie. Offensive coordinator Todd Downing said that Haskins has done a nice job so far, and he appeared to be pleased with what Haskins is bringing to the table. He said Haskins is doing a good job at not making the same mistake twice.

Haskins will be competing for the backup job during the summer and during the preseason. He is being projected to see a significant role behind Henry come this fall.

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Titans’ RB unit lands just outside top 5 in PFF’s rankings

The Titans were just outside the top five in Pro Football Focus’ RB unit rankings.

Pro Football Focus recently ranked the running back groups of every team in the NFL going into the 2022 season, and the Tennessee Titans’ unit landed in the top 10.

According to PFF’s Ben Linsey, the Titans running backs group ranks sixth in the NFL, putting it in the “good backfield” tier.

When ranking individual running backs, I pointed out that there’s some evidence to suggest that running backs start to take a step back after recording 1,500 NFL carries. At nearly 250 pounds and with roughly 4,500 rushing yards in the last two-and-a-half seasons, Derrick Henry isn’t your typical running back. Still, his workload is worth noting as he returns from injury. 

The Titans still would have landed in Tier 1 with more proven depth behind Henry. Fourth-round rookie Hassan Haskins will have a good chance to earn the No. 2 role behind Henry after recording a 91.2 PFF grade in his final season at Michigan last year.

The five teams ranked ahead of the Titans are as follows, from one to five: Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints.

The one carrying the Titans in these rankings is no doubt Derrick Henry, who is coming off a season in which he missed nine games due to a serious foot injury, the first of The King’s career.

As a result of Henry’s injury last year, combined with his age climbing closer to 30 (he turned 28 in January), there are some doubts about Henry returning to the form we saw the previous two years.

You won’t find that doubt on this site, though. We believe Henry will return to form and remain the same dominant player he has been, which makes him a great bet to win the Comeback Player of the Year.

You also won’t find us jumping ship and handing over the crown of the best back in the NFL to the Colts’ Jonathan Taylor. He’s no doubt a great player, but let’s see Taylor dominate like Henry did for multiple years, and outproduce a healthy Henry for the course of an entire season first.

Behind Henry is some uncertainty, though.

The Titans drafted Michigan running back Hassan Haskins in the fourth round, no doubt hoping he can help take some pressure off Henry, and perhaps become the long-term solution at the position down the road.

Should Haskins prove he can hang in the NFL, the Titans will have an impressive, hard-running duo to lead their run-heavy offense.

Along with Haskins, we believe Dontrell Hilliard is a near-lock to make the roster. Hilliard was effective in tandem with D’Onta Foreman when both helped replace Henry during his injury stint in 2021.

Battling for a roster spot behind Hilliard and Haskins (assuming the Titans carry a fourth running back) is Trenton Cannon, Jordan Wilkins and Julius Chestnut. Cannon’s ability to play on special teams gives him a leg up on Wilkins and Chestnut.

Despite some questions in the backfield, the Titans’ run game will always be elite as long as Henry is healthy and still at the top of his game. We fully expect that to be the case in 2022.

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Ranking Titans’ 2022 NFL draft picks by projected impact

Ranking Titans 2022 NFL draft picks based on projected impact in Year 1.

The Tennessee Titans enter the 2022 campaign with a ton of questions to answer, and that’s especially true on offense after letting go of two starters along the offense line and trading away their No. 1 receiver, A.J. Brown.

But some of those questions could be answered by the team’s most recent draft picks.

Tennessee added nine players via the 2022 NFL draft and the team is hoping the youngsters can make an immediate impact, something the Titans haven’t gotten from general manager Jon Robinson’s recent draft classes in the past two years.

Expecting any rookie to make a big impact in their first season is always a risky proposition, but the Titans will need at least a few of their youngsters to step up in 2022.

That said, we’re going to do our best to try and rank Tennessee’s 2022 draft picks based on their projected impact for this coming season. Here’s what we came up with.

Hassan Haskins on early impression of Titans: ‘We’ve all been like family’

Hassan Haskins touched on the Titans’ family-like atmosphere and his winning mindset while at the Rookie Premiere.

One thing you hear quite often when a player joins the Tennessee Titans is how tight-knit and family-like the team is — and that’s something running back Hassan Haskins has definitely noticed early on.

One of Tennessee’s 2022 fourth-round picks, Haskins was one of three Titans selections to get invited to the NFLPA’s Rookie Premiere, along with wide receiver Treylon Burks and quarterback Malik Willis.

When asked about what his experience with the Titans has been like so far, Haskins likened the atmosphere of the team to a family (H/T Brandon Galli, WXYZ Detroit).

“My experience with the Tennessee Titans, it’s been good,” Haskins said. “Everybody has been treating me like family — the coaches, players — we’ve all been like family, and that’s all I can ask for. I can’t complain, I love it there.”

Haskins says that his winning mindset is one of the biggest things he brings to the table, and he says he’ll do whatever he has to in order to help his team win.

“I’m going to bring a lot to the table,” Haskins said. “I have a winning mindset and I feel like that’s a big thing about me; I hate to lose and I love to win. So they’re going to get a guy that’s going to do anything for his team to win. I just have to gain their trust in me and I’m going to show them.”

Haskins, who should also contribute on special teams, is a lock to make the roster in 2022 and will take a backup running back role in his first season in Nashville, but how much action he sees remains to be seen.

Derrick Henry will of course dominate snaps at the position, so Haskins will have to compete in training camp for the scraps behind him with Dontrell Hilliard, Trenton Cannon, Jordan Wilkins and Julius Chestnut.

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See it: Titans draft picks in uniform at NFLPA Rookie Premiere

Titans QB Malik Willis, WR Treylon Burks and RB Hassan Haskins were all in uniform at the NFLPA Rookie Premiere.

Three Tennessee Titans rookies were invited to the NFLPA Rookie Premiere this year, including wide receiver Treylon Burks, quarterback Malik Willis, and running back Hassan Haskins.

In the process, we got some photos of some of the newest Titans players in their uniforms. But before we get to that, an explanation of what the Rookie Premiere is, per NFLPA.com:

NFLPA Rookie Premiere provides partners with unmatched access to 40 of the NFL’s newest stars at their first major business and marketing event following the NFL Draft. This is one of the most valuable opportunities available to NFLPA partners because it’s the first time to connect directly with professional football’s most promising and marketable young players–all in one place—and build content and relationships that extend into the season and beyond.

Now, a look at the best photos of the three Titans draft picks to come out of the 2022 Rookie Premiere.

Three Titans draft picks make NFLPA’s Rookie Premiere class of 2022

Three Titans 2022 draft picks made the annual list.

The NFLPA recently released its annual Rookie Premiere list, and three members of the Tennessee Titans’ 2022 NFL draft class were included.

The three members were first-round pick and wide receiver, Treylon Burks, third-round pick and quarterback Malik Willis, and fourth-round pick and running back, Hassan Haskins.

Here’s an explanation of what the Rookie Premier list is, per the NFLPA:

Following two years of virtual engagement, 42 top rookies from the 2022 NFL Draft will again gather in Los Angeles on May 19-21 to learn the business of football and jumpstart endorsement careers at the 28th annual NFL Players Association (NFLPA) Rookie Premiere presented by Panini America, the exclusive trading card partner of the NFLPA. Hosted by the NFLPA and its marketing and licensing arm, NFL Players Inc., the annual event for many of the game’s marketable rookie stars will feature the unveiling of each rookie’s official jersey presented by Fanatics and Saturday’s all-day live action and studio shoot for Panini trading cards.

While Burks is expected to play at least a fairly significant role in 2022, Haskins will try to soak up some of the snap behind Derrick Henry, and Willis is unlikely to see the field much, if at all in his first season unless Tennessee creates packages for him, something the team isn’t ruling out.

Titans’ rookie minicamp Day 1: News, notes, video for 2022 draft picks

A look at some of the Titans’ 2022 NFL draft picks on Day 1 of rookie minicamp.

The Tennessee Titans had their first day of rookie minicamp on Friday, and the three-day event will continue on Saturday and culminate on Sunday.

Stealing the headlines from Day 1 was the performance (or lack thereof) of wide receiver and 2022 first-round pick, Treylon Burks.

According to multiple beat writers on the ground, Burks looked gassed and needed the aid of an inhaler. He exited early, came back for team drills, and then left once again shortly thereafter.

Not a great start by any stretch, but let’s not get crazy here. This is Day 1 of rookie minicamp and there’s a long way to go before we should start getting worried and thinking the worst.

Also of note, quarterback Malik Willis reacted to Ryan Tannehill’s comment about it not being his job to mentor the rookie.

Willis said Tannehill had him and the other rookies over his house and that “everything’s good.”

“Man, we chopped it up,” Willis said. “It was never anything negative. Ryan is a good dude. Like I said he had us over the house. Everything’s cool, man.”

Now, a look at all of the news, notes and video we could find pertaining to the Titans’ 2022 draft picks from Day 1 of rookie minicamp.

Titans agree to terms with 4 of 9 2022 NFL draft picks

The Titans have agreed to terms on rookie contracts with all but one of their Day 3 picks.

The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms with four of their nine 2022 NFL draft picks, the team announced on Thursday.

Tennessee is inking all but one of their Day 3 picks, including fourth-round running back Hassan Haskins, fifth-round wide receiver Kyle Philips, sixth-round defensive back Theo Jackson and sixth-round linebacker Chance Campbell.

The financial terms of the rookie contracts were not disclosed, but each will be four-year deals. Of course, there is no fifth-year option for players drafted after the first round.

Still left to sign are first-round wide receiver Treylon Burks, second-round cornerback Roger McCreary, third-round offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere, third-round quarterback Malik Willis and fourth-round tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo.

Tennessee inking half of their rookie class comes right before all of their first-year players will attend rookie minicamp, which begins on Friday, May 13, and will run through Sunday, May 15.

The first two days will be open to the media, so we’ll get our first looks at Tennessee’s rookies, including the team’s undrafted free agent signings.

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