Titans: Rookie trio silencing critics of GM
Despite the loss to the Giants in Week 1 of the NFL season, the Tennessee Titans 2022 rookie class is off to a hot start, making waves around the NFL and silencing the critics of GM Jon Robinson. During Sunday's loss, the Titans earned a unique distinction by landing three (3) members of their rookie […]
Despite the loss to the Giants in Week 1 of the NFL season, the Tennessee Titans 2022 rookie class is off to a hot start, making waves around the NFL and silencing the critics of GM Jon Robinson.
During Sunday's loss, the Titans earned a unique distinction by landing three (3) members of their rookie class on the Pro Football Focus list for highest rookie grades.
Using their grading system, PFF released an article focused on the Top 15 NFL Rookies in Week 1. Only one other team had more than one (NYJ), with the Titans alone at the top with three. Here are the Titans who made the list:
12. CB ROGER MCCREARY, TENNESSEE TITANS (71.9)
"We should have known McCreary would be an impact player early on when the Titans' staff gave him the Week 1 starting nod over 2021 first-rounder Caleb Farley. Against the Giants, McCreary allowed only one catch on his lone target for five yards. To play 59 snaps, including 28 in coverage, and only allow five yards is well above expectations for a rookie."
– Michael Renner, PFF
Roger McCreary's strong training camp translated seamlessly into his first game of regular season NFL action.
In order to avoid "overloading" the rookie, the Titans elected to keep McCreary on the perimeter, with Ugo Amadi stepping into the nickel role to replace Elijah Molden. With just one target coming his way, it's safe to say McCreary handled things fine.
Six of the 17 completions by Giants quarterback Daniel Jones on Sunday came on check downs to his running back Saquon Barkley, and with the exception of the busted coverage by Kristian Fulton and the 65-yard touchdown to Sterling Shepard, the Titans coverage was excellent vs. New York.
McCreary is already a plug-and-play NFL starter that opposing quarterback seem to fear, and he's only played one game. That's saying something.
11. WR KYLE PHILIPS, TENNESSEE TITANS (72.5)
It might be time to start buying some Kyle Philips rookie of the year props. Despite being a fifth-rounder, Philips was the focal point of the Titans' offense when he was in the game. He was on the field for only 25 passing snaps and saw the ball go his way an incredible 10 times. That’s an insane rate for a rookie. He hauled in six of those for 66 yards — and drew two penalties, as well. The trust Ryan Tannehill already has in Philips is well deserved because the rookie was flat-out getting open.
– Michael Renner, PFF
Even with all the preseason hype, Kyle Philips being the main target of the Titans offense in game one took everyone by surprise.
Philips was thrown the ball on 40% of the snaps he played, and was Ryan Tannehill's go-to receiver with the game on the line in a two-minute drill.
The craziest part is, it didn't feel like Philips played his best game. His snap count was the sixth highest among Titans skill position players, and a few passes that came his way were under thrown or dropped.
Either way, Philips was "as advertised", and proved to be difficult to cover with the way he drew penalties during his route releases.
Philips very easily could have had an 8 catch, 90 yard debut while being a 5th round rookie and only playing 43.3% of the Titans' offensive snaps.
The sky really could be the limit for Philips, who already has a clear chemistry with his starting quarterback.
6. WR TREYLON BURKS, TENNESSEE TITANS (74.9)
"It was an encouraging first outing from Burks, who still looks explosive with the ball in his hands. He caught three of five targets for 55 yards. All of his receptions came on crossing routes, which will be a great way to get him acclimated to the NFL after having such a limited route tree at Arkansas."
– Michael Renner, PFF
Treylon Burks may not have gotten the same target share as Philips, but he was still second on the team with five (5) passes thrown his direction.
Burks' three catches and 55 receiving yards don't tell the whole story, as he only played 22 snaps during the game, and still managed to make Ryan Tannehill's job easier.
He also had separation on a deep route that may have ended in a touchdown had it not been for the contact and no-call on the officials. That throw gets completed, and the narrative around Burks' debut and the Titans is looking much different right about now.
The Titans may have got off on the wrong foot with a loss to the Giants, but the play of their rookie class is a testament to their GM, Jon Robinson, who once again appears to have replenished the talent poll in Tennessee via the draft.
If all three rookies continue having a large impact on games this season, the Titans will be just fine.
Image via George Walker IV / USA TODAY
