Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Ranking Titans' Best Draft Classes: No. 1 The 2019 Group Anchored By Jeffrey Simmons
NASHVILLE - The countdown of the top ten all-time best draft classes in the history of the Tennessee Titans- just since their arrival in Nashville, and not including anything from their Oilers history- concludes today with the No.1 class.
While people could argue that the No.2 or No.3 class should be in this position, this was the one class where all but one player became a starter. Who knows what heights this franchise might have achieved if only every class produced five starters from six selections?
So who's No.1? The class of 2019, led by "Big Jeff."
Here's a look at the 2019 draft class and its impact on the team.
Jeffrey Simmons, defensive tackle
- Round: 1
- Pick: No. 18 overall
- College: Mississippi State
- The skinny: "Big Jeff" was taken in the first round despite some character issues from an incident that occurred while he was still in high school. To his credit, Simmons faced the cameras after his selection and became very emotional to address and admit to the mistake he had made as a young man. Since that day, the team, fans, and Simmons have put that behind them, and he has been a model citizen and terror on the field for opposing teams. Having just completed his rookie contract, Simmons is about to get paid and paid well. The start of his playing career was delayed as he recovered from a torn ACL. However, once ready, Simmons stepped onto the field in week 8, where he introduced himself to the league, and then San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers, with a four tackle, one sack debut. As a Titan, Simmons has recorded 189 total tackles, 21 sacks, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and 19 deflected passes. He's been named second-team All-Pro twice and earned Pro-Bowl honors in those same years, in 2021 and 2022. As Mike Keith would say, "Big Jeff is The Man!"
A.J. Brown, wide receiver
- Round: 2
- Pick: No. 51 overall
- College: Mississippi
- The skinny: The Magnolia State was good to the Titans in 2016, as their No.1 and No.2 overall picks were from Mississippi. Like Simmons, Brown became a fan favorite almost instantly when in his first game, he went for over 100 yards in a win over Cleveland. Brown finished his rookie campaign with 1,051 yards and eight touchdowns and added 60 rush yards and another score to his total. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie team for 2019. Of course, all Titans fans know of the contract issue and Brown's subsequent trade to Philadelphia before the 2022 season. This move was, in part, the reason that former general manager Jon Robinson was fired midseason. Since then, Brown has frequently aired his displeasure with handling that situation by the Titans. However, as a Titan, Brown put up big-time numbers, grabbing 185 receptions (52, 70, and 63 in each respective season as a Titan), with 2,995 yards and 24 touchdowns. He averaged 16.1 yards per reception during his time in Nashville.
Nate Davis, offensive guard
- Round: 3
- Pick: No. 82 overall
- College: Charlotte
- The skinny: Inactive for the first three weeks of his rookie season, Davis found the field in week five, getting his first start, and has been there all but one game since. Davis has played in 54 of a possible 55 since that time and has been a solid starter on an offensive line that paved the way for Derrick Henry's 2,000-yard season. While never earning any league-wide recognitions, Davis, a free agent, is expected to get paid handsomely on his next contract, which most don't believe will come with the Titans.
Amani Hooker, safety
- Round: 4
- Pick: No. 116 overall
- College: Iowa
- The skinny: As with his classmates above, Hooker instantly stepped into an on-field role, playing extensively as a rookie. He was injured in 2021 and missed six weeks but returned and has filled a starter's role since. Hooker has recorded 179 tackles, 15 pass deflections, and six interceptions. He signed a three-year, $33 million contract extension in 2022.
D'Andre Walker, linebacker
- Round: 5
- Pick: No. 168 overall
- College: Georgia
- The skinny: The lone bust in this draft class, Walker signed a four-year contract worth just over $2 mill with incentives. He was waived in 2020.
David Long, linebacker
- Round: 6
- Pick: No. 188 overall
- College: West Virginia
- The skinny: Long became a contributor in a reserve role as a rookie, appearing in 14 games. He became a starter for five games in 2020 but was placed on COVID Injured reserve costing him games. Finally, in 2021, Long became a full-time starter, but an injury again limited him to just nine starts. Long has started 14 games in his Titans career, with 170 total tackles, one sack, nine tackles for loss, and two interceptions. Currently a free agent, it is thought that the Titans would like to resign Long to an extension.
Titans Hits In 2019
The easy answer is almost the whole class, as Simmons, Brown, Davis, Hooker, and Long have all become starters for the Titans and all started games together in the just completed 2022 season.
Titans Misses In 2019
While Walker was thought to be a solid player that would be a contributor to the team, that never developed for him, he was the only nonfactor from this class.
CONCLUSION
Despite the limited number of players (six) in this class, when five become starters, it's easy to see how this group earned our top spot in this draft countdown. If not for the unbelievable move to trade Brown, this class might have been able to stick together for several more years, though it seems that Davis will be allowed to test the free agent waters and likely leave for a big money deal as a result.
Find our No.2 class here
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