Tennessee Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan got off to a rocky start in 2019 after serving a four-game suspension, but eventually rounded into form once he was able to get his penalties under control.
When it was all said and done, Lewan finished No. 11 in pass-blocking grade (83.5) and No. 8 in run-blocking grade (80.7) among tackles, per Pro Football Focus, showing why he’s a premier left tackle in the NFL.
In ESPN’s list of the top 10 offensive tackles in the NFL, Lewan just made the cut, landing at No. 10 in the rankings, which were based on the opinions of 50 NFL executives, coaches, scouts and players.
Lewan might carry the sharpest edge of any tackle who takes the field on Sundays, which is mostly good.
“There’s a physical toughness and demeanor I truly respect,” an AFC exec said. “He does become his own worst enemy, loses temper, stupid penalties. But he’s got such a nastiness to him. Probably not a dominating player every down, but really good.”
Those who are high on Lewan praise his athleticism and willingness to play hard every snap. And he won on 91.8% of his pass-blocking snaps.
“If you get into his chest, he’ll get walked back sometimes,” an NFL coordinator said. “But athletically gifted and nasty.”
Here’s a full look at ESPN’s top 10:
1. Tyron Smith | Dallas Cowboys
2. Laremy Tunsil | Houston Texans
3. Trent Williams | San Francisco 49ers
4. Ronnie Stanley | Baltimore Ravens
5. Terron Armstead | New Orleans Saints
6. Lane Johnson | Philadelphia Eagles
7. David Bakhtiari | Green Bay Packers
8. Ryan Ramczyk | New Orleans Saints
9. Trent Brown | Las Vegas Raiders
10. Taylor Lewan | Tennessee Titans
Lewan has graded out as one of the best, most consistent tackles since 2016. Only he and Trent Williams have earned top-10 grades in both run-blocking and pass protection in that span.
The Titans’ O-line as a whole struggled mightily in the first half of last season, leading to Tennessee finishing with the second-most sacks allowed. Thankfully for the Titans, the group upfront was able to get things under control as the season progressed.
Communication was an issue, as left guard Rodger Saffold recently admitted, but it’s something he says improved as the line got more time together.
The Titans will return four-fifths of their starting offensive line in 2020, with the one exception being at right tackle, where Dennis Kelly figures to assume starting duties.
Making the transition from Jack Conklin to Kelly shouldn’t be too big of an issue, as Kelly already has experience in the Titans’ system and got to play with the starters while filling in for Lewan during his suspension.
With a full camp together and more familiarity with each other, the Titans’ O-line should get off to a much better start and have more success throughout the course of the season in 2020.
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