NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Jon Robinson’s first-year roster building as Tennessee Titans GM looks pretty good through 10 games.
The guys he brought in are a big reason why the Titans are still in the race for the AFC South crown. Personnel men love ascending players, and the Titans added several of those.
Let’s rate the top additions as of Week 11.
1. RB DeMarco Murray: The Titans exchanged fourth-round picks with the Eagles and negotiated Murray’s deal down while getting the centerpiece to their smash-mouth ground attack. Through 10 games, Murray is just 70 yards shy of 1,000. He’s been tough, determined and efficient. Robinson and the Titans were smart to know they would get the guy who led the league in rushing in Dallas in 2014, not the guy who had a dud 2015 in Philly.
2. Right tackle Jack Conklin: The Titans got a bounty when they traded out of the No. 1 spot in the draft. But they moved down a long way in the first round, from No. 1 to No. 15. That put them out them out of range for their target, Conklin, from Michigan State. It looked costly when they traded back up with the Browns to No. 8. But Conklin has been excellent, and is the top reason to believe in Robinson’s draft evaluation abilities. The offensive line keys this team, and Conklin is a huge piece of it.
3. Center Ben Jones: The free agent from the Texans is a settling force who has been quietly efficient. He leads the resurgent line and keeps things organized up front as the primary communicator. The Titans wanted a tone-setter, and got one.
4. Receiver Rishard Matthews: The free agent from the Dolphins isn’t a No. 1 receiver, but his production since a slow start has been fantastic. He’s become more comfortable in the system, and the Titans have used him in different ways. The results: 36 catches for 483 yards and six touchdowns. Those scores have come in the team’s past six games.
5. Safety Kevin Byard: Taken at the top of the third round out of Middle Tennessee State, Byard played on defense from the start as the Titans came up with a rotation of four safeties. He played the most snaps of the four in the most recent game, a win against the Packers. He’s a sure tackler, tied for fifth on the team with 38, and reads things well. The next step is for him to find some interceptions.
6. Guard Josh Kline: Robinson knew Kline well, because they were in New England together. When the Patriots cut Kline, the Titans claimed him on waivers. And when Chance Warmack injured a finger in the team’s second game and elected to have season-ending surgery, Kline was inserted into the lineup. He has played better than Warmack.
7. Receiver Tajae Sharpe: The fifth-round receiver didn’t live up the preseason billing out of the gate and is still learning how to execute precisely in games. But he was a starter since the beginning, and his 30 catches for 385 yards and a touchdown through his first 10 games amounts to a quality contribution.
8. Running back Derrick Henry: The team’s third second-round pick has been good, he’s just been stuck behind Murray. But with his 4.1 yard rushing average and nine catches for 107 yards he’s made a contribution, and his presence means the Titans don’t have to change their mindset a bit when and if Murray comes off the field.
9. Tackle Dennis Kelly: Acquired from the Eagles for receiver Dorial Green-Beckham, Kelly regularly works as a tackle-eligible in a jumbo package where he functions as an on-the-line tight end. When left tackle Taylor Lewan was ejected early in the Green Bay game, Kelly stepped in and played a very solid game.
10. Returner Marc Mariani: The Titans are not good on special teams, and Mariani lacks explosiveness. But he’s a good decision-maker who is reliable, and considering how bad things have been around him at times, there is value to that. The Titans signed him Sept. 5 after he was let go by the Bears.