Tennessee Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan saw his 2019 season get off to a rough start after a suspension and a penalty-laden return, but halfway through the campaign he began to round into form.
Some of that had to do with not having experience playing next to left guard Rodger Saffold, as the pair admitted it took some time to get acclimated to one another in their first season together.
Taylor Lewan said he "threw a wrench" into the #Titans o-line with suspension at start of last season. Said he and Rodger Saffold really started to understand each other about 7 games in after the #Panthers game. Said the goal is to continue that by keeping open communication.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) May 28, 2020
Ultimately, Lewan showed why he’s one of the best left tackles in the sport with a strong finish to his sixth season in the NFL.
To push that point further along, Pro Football Focus notes that Lewan is one of only two tackles to produce a top-10 grade in pass protection and run-blocking since 2016, with the other being Trent Williams.
Only two OTs have produced top-10 grades in both pass and run blocking since 2016
Trent Williams and Taylor Lewan pic.twitter.com/J7144x5rHS
— PFF (@PFF) June 9, 2020
It’s pretty impressive to see Lewan finish that high last season after his start was marred with poor play. The Michigan product also finished with the highest PFF grade in run-blocking among all left tackles.
đź’Ş pic.twitter.com/3PYhivKE9G
— PFF (@PFF) May 21, 2020
While Lewan’s play on the field has defined him during his career, the left tackle is looking to take on a bigger leadership role in 2020, as he noted during a Zoom call with the media recently.
Taylor Lewan says he's looking to take on a bigger leadership role for the #Titans this yr. "For a while I shied away from that a little bit. I am more grounded and know who I am as a person. It's important for me to take on a leadership role and it's going to help the team."
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) May 28, 2020
The Titans are going to need more players to step up as leaders this season, as two of the franchise’s most important leaders over the years, tight end Delanie Walker and defensive lineman Jurrell Casey, are no longer with the team.
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