ESPN recently published an article highlighting the top 50 NFL draft steals of the past decade, and the Tennessee Titans emerged as a prominent presence, sharing the second spot among all NFL teams with three players featured on the list. Remarkably, all three of these players are positioned within the top 25.

It's worth noting that all three of these players were drafted under the tenure of former General Manager Jon Robinson. Unfortunately, the trading of one of these players may have ended his tenure with the team. 

Below is how the authors, draft experts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid, compiled the list:

• First-rounders weren't included, even if they were taken late on Day 1. Undrafted free agents were also excluded since the list would skew in that direction.
• To qualify, a player must have been drafted at least 15 spots — roughly half a round — later than he should have been, and that's just the floor for the exercise.
• There aren't any 2023 draft picks here — they haven't even played a game yet! Only players drafted between 2013 and 2022 were eligible for our ranking.

Leading the Titans' trio of draft steals is Derrick Henry, who claims the fifth spot on the list. Henry is a future Hall of Famer who the Titans stole in the second round. Henry's impact is undeniable, with an impressive resume already boasting two rushing championships, the 2020 Offensive Player of the Year award, and a staggering 8,335 rushing yards and 78 touchdowns. Here's what ESPN had to say about his inclusion:

Henry entered the NFL at a time when the big every-down back was a dying breed. He proved to be an exception, punishing defenses that continually trend smaller each year and rushing for over 2,000 yards in 2020. It remains to be seen if Henry's legacy will include changing the NFL long-term and keeping big backs en vogue, but as the most feared running back since Jerome Bettis, he has certainly changed the league during an epic seven-year run. — Miller

The next player on this list is a bittersweet mention for Titans fans as AJ Brown secures the 19th spot. There is no denying Brown's exceptional talent, and he seemed on pace to become a Titans great before the shocking trade.

Lastly, we have Kevin Byard, who secures the 21st position on the list. Byard, a third-round pick from Middle Tennessee State in the 2016 draft, has consistently displayed his brilliance throughout his tenure with the Titans. Notably, he recently became the franchise's all-time leader in interceptions within the Titans era (ranking fourth in franchise history). Byard has been a reliable pillar of the Titans' defense since 2016, consistently stepping up when it matters the most. Let's take a look at ESPN's insights regarding this particular selection:

Byard made an immediate impact in the NFL, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in his second season. His perceived lack of speed and the fact that he played against a lower level of competition at Middle Tennessee pushed him down the draft board, but he quickly erased any concerns. Byard hasn't missed a start in six years and has 27 interceptions in that time. — Miller

When looking back at the Jon Robinson era of Titans football, I would classify it as a success. While the team never made the Super Bowl, Robinson brought in some incredible players, and the team went on playoff runs that fans will never forget.

Hopefully, Ran Carthon can continue Robinsons' trend of finding hidden gems in the draft. 

Featured Image via: © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports