Tennessee Titans: Bishop Sankey must improve in 2015

By Nick Ziegler | Mar 23, 2015

The 2014 season was not an enjoyable one for the Tennessee Titans as they and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tied for the worst record in the NFL with a 2-14 mrk. With that poor record comes a need for improvement generally in more than just one area.

One positive going into the 2015 season for the Titans is that they will have the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL and that usually has a lot of value. The Titans can decide to do all sorts of things with that pick, but they will still have a long road ahead of them to become a better football team no matter what happens with that selection.

In a number of the important statistical categories, the Titans really struggled last season. On offense they were ranked 22nd in passing yards per game (213.3). They also struggled to run the ball effectively, as they ranked 26th in the NFL with just 90.4 rushing yards per game.

In the 2014 NFL Draft, the Titans would attempt to replace running back Chris Johnson who was released by the team and would sign with the New York Jets after being a three-time Pro Bowler with Tennessee. It wouldn’t happen until the 54th overall pick in last year’s draft, but the Titans would select the first running back off the board in Bishop Sankey from the University of Washington.

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In three years at Washington, Sankey would make his mark in the program with fantastic years as a sophomore and junior. In his first season as the starter, Sankey would total 1,439 yards, 16 rushing touchdowns, and an impressive 5.0 yards per carry. As a junior, Sankey would improve upon his great year with 1,870 yards rushing, 20 rushing touchdowns, and a 5.7 yards per carry average.

Sankey would decide to skip his senior year at Washington, as even though he wasn’t projected to be a first-round pick.

After being drafted by the Titans, the organization certainly had hopes of him being a big part of their offense in 2014. But it was a rather quiet rookie season for Sankey. In 16 games, Sankey totaled 154 carries for 569 yards, two touchdowns, and a poor 3.7 yards per carry. Sankey did have the most carries and yards for the Titans in 2014, but he wasn’t their most efficient rusher.

Dec 28, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Shonn Greene (23) carries the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half at LP Field. The Colts beat the Titans 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

Veteran Shonn Greene would get a lot more playing than the Titans would have hoped, as in 13 games, Greene would total 94 carries. With a little less of the workload than Sankey, Greene would be more effective with a 4.2 yards per carry average, and 392 rushing yards.

In 2015, the Titans likely won’t be that much more improved of a team. But if they can get Sankey going next season it could greatly improve their rushing offense. Depending on what the Titans do with the No.2 pick, they could have a rookie quarterback under center. If that is the case, the Titans will need Sankey to be a better running back in order to help out a quarterback in Zach Mettenberger, who is still learning how to play in the NFL.

Next: What should the Titans do with the No.2 pick?

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