Bleacher Report says this player will bust for the Titans in 2022
2022 could easily be viewed as a make or break year for Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan. Lewan, the Titans first round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, flourished in his first five NFL seasons and established himself as one of the best lineman in the game. Lewan was selected for three consecutive Pro-Bowls […]
2022 could easily be viewed as a make or break year for Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan.
Lewan, the Titans first round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, flourished in his first five NFL seasons and established himself as one of the best lineman in the game. Lewan was selected for three consecutive Pro-Bowls from 2016-2018.
Things have not been as smooth in recent years.
After three straight seasons of injuries, suspensions, and decreased production, 2022 is now the critical time for Lewan to step back up as the anchor he once was in the Titans offense.
While his track record would suggest a fully-healthy version of Taylor Lewan is among the NFL's best tackles, some still maintain their doubts.
Alex Kay, an NFL writer for Bleacher Report recently predicted in an article that Lewan would be the "Biggest bust of the 2022 season" for the Tennessee Titans:
Tennessee Titans: OT Taylor Lewan
Taylor Lewan established himself as one of the league’s top left tackles during the first half-decade of his career. Since then, the massive 6’7”, 309-pound offensive lineman has had problems staying healthy and seen a drop in production.
After starting all but two games between 2015 and 2018—and making the Pro Bowl on three occasions—Lewan has since missed a quarter of the 2019 campaign, was sidelined for 11 games in 2020 and couldn’t suit up for four games last year.
Lewan’s performances on the field are clearly being negatively impacted by these ailments. He earned a career-low 61.8 PFF grade in 2020 and improved to just a 70.9 mark this past season.
The 31-year-old may still be a starting-caliber talent, but he’s no longer the dominant offensive line anchor for the Tennessee Titans he once was.
There's no hiding the challenges Lewan has faced in recent years, and it goes without saying that he needs to be better for the Titans to full reach their offensive potential. That much Lewan would admit himself.
But he's also not the kind of guy I'd be betting against.
Lewan is a larger than life personality. His energy is infectious, as is his competitive spirit, and his presence on the field is a reflection of that. As impactful as he can be for the Titans offense, Lewan is just as impactful in the Titans locker room.
So, yes, Taylor Lewan is older than he once was. Yes, he's struggled to find joy on the football field in recent years. But that's not fully indicative of the Taylor Lewan that Titans fans will get in 2022.
Thus far into the new season, Lewan has seemed to find his love for the game again, and it's making all the difference.
“Being out here is already a world of difference to me,” Lewan said during minicamp. “I can put a helmet on. I’m not gasping for air after four or five plays – (going) through a whole period and I’m laughing, talking trash with the boys. It’s a good time. Football is now fun for me again. If there’s any difference you want to know between last year and this year, I’m enjoying the hell out of myself now.”
"That s*** was f***ing miserable."
– Taylor Lewan on the 2021 season
His joy certainly seems to be translating to his locker room presence, as well. Lewan has taken a sizable roll in early minicamps as a leader in the building.
Despite the injuries and adversity, Lewan has only been whistled for four penalties over his last 19 games, a massive drop from averaging seven per season from 2015-19.
As he has aged, Lewan has developed a maturity to his personality and his game that I believe will allow him to continue adapting to the league around him.
Hopefully the 2022 season is a showcase of that and Kay is eating his words.
Image via Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
