Tennessee Titans cut two former second-rounders in roster purge

The first sign that things were changing with the Tennessee Titans was when they traded second-year wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham to the Philadelphia Eagles for nickels on the dollar a few weeks ago.

On Friday, the Titans kept up their run of shedding skin by cutting running back Bishop Sankey and wide receiver Justin Hunter.

 

The Tennessee Titans have released running back Bishop Sankey. (AP)

Incredibly, all three players are former second-round picks — Green-Beckham in 2015, Sankey in 2014 and Hunter in 2013 — who all now safely can be called Titans draft busts.

The 6-4 Hunter, 25, has flashed big-play ability in his three NFL seasons but little consistency. The former 34th overall pick seemed to be outplayed by Andre Johnson, Rishard Matthews and Tajae Sharpe, all of whom were brought in this offseason, during training camp and the preseason.

Sankey was the first running back selected in the 2014 draft, but he has rushed for only 762 yards and three touchdowns in two seasons and was buried behind DeMarco Murray and rookie Derrick Henry this preseason. The writing seemed to be on the wall for Sankey when the Titans drafted Henry in Round 2 — and then told third-round safety Kevin Byard that Sankey’s No. 20 jersey was available in May (even though Sankey kept 20 this preseason, Byard also wore it).

New GM Jon Robinson isn’t messing around. After making a few bold draft trades in his first offseason, including selling the No. 1 overall pick in this spring’s draft, he and head coach Mike Mularkey are helping reshape the roster — and are unafraid of calling out the previous regime’s draft mistakes.

The Titans ended up with 10 draft picks this year, including three second-rounders — pass rusher Kevin Dodd, defensive lineman Anthony Johnson and Henry.

There are some important foundational pieces that came via the prior front office, including quarterback Marcus Mariota and defensive tackle Jurrell Casey. But it’s also evident that the team is in the midst of a major roster refurbishment. Having the Los Angeles Rams’ first-round pick in 2017, plus their own, and other choices means the team could be well-stocked to reload.

 

Some advice: have better success picking in Round 2.

 

	Eric Edholm @Eric_Edholm
10 years of #Titans second-rounders: pic.twitter.com/y1YBs9Yk4f 9:36 AM - 2 Sep 2016