NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Titans saw something special in tackle Jack Conklin.
It's why the team moved up to take him in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Further validation came on Friday when the rookie right tackle was named First Team All-Pro by the Associated Press.
TitansOnline.com looks back at offensive tackle Jack Conklin's All-Pro rookie season. (AP Photos)
"It's pretty crazy,'' Conklin said late Friday afternoon. "I was switching my phone over today and found out later in the day. I got a bunch of texts from people. I was pretty excited. I think it is sort of starting to kick in now more than before. It's a lot to take in. To have the rookie year turn out like like that, I'm pretty happy about it."
General manager Jon Robinson was among the first to contact Conklin. It was Robinson who pegged Conklin in the draft, and moved up to get him. Offensive line coach Russ Grimm also reached out to congratulate Conklin, along with many of his teammates.
Conklin became the first Titan to be named first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press since running back Chris Johnson in 2009. He's the first Titans rookie since defensive end Jevon Kearse in 1999 to be named to the team.
"I know I still have a lot of work to do to get to where I want to be,'' Conklin said. "But it's a pretty good start, I guess.''
The Titans selected Conklin eighth overall out of Michigan State. He is one of three rookies on the All-Pro team, joining Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott and Chiefs wide receiver and punter returner Tyreek Hill.
Earlier this week, Pro Football Focus named Conklin the best right tackle in pro football following a season when he allowed only two sacks and received just two penalties this season. The Titans allowed just 28 sacks as a team in 2016, during a year when they finished with the NFL's third ranked-rushing attack.
"Quietly really good,'' Titans coach Mike Mularkey said of Conklin’s rookie season. "He did his job, didn't say a whole lot, but he did an outstanding job to be, really, put in there earlier than we had anticipated. He did a great job for us."
Left tackle Taylor Lewan was one of five Titans selected to the Pro Bowl. He's scheduled to play in the game later this month in Orlando. Lewan believes Conklin, who is an alternate, deserves to be there, too.
"I think he deserves to go to the Pro Bowl this year,'' Lewan said of Conklin. "The biggest compliment you can give in football is consistency, and Jack is Jack every single time and he plays at a level that rookies don't play at. He plays at a level I didn't play at when I was a rookie, and it was impressive. I expect Jack to be Jack next year."
Less than 24 hours after being selected 8th overall by the Titans, first-round draft pick Jack Conklin arrives in Nashville. (Photos: Andrew Hancock)
Conklin started all 16 games for the Titans during his rookie season.
At season's end, Conklin said he improved as a rookie.
But he knows he can get better.
"I learned a lot this year, but I think I still have a lot ahead of me,'' Conklin said. "I have a lot to learn, and I can get even better. I am excited to see what the future holds.
"I think (as a team) we had a goal in mind coming in that we were going to pound people and be a physical team, and I think now the league knows what we are capable of.
The Titans offensive line faced eight players who posted double-digit sack totals in 2016. The group totaled 91 total sacks this season, but only three came against the Titans.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Matt Ryan, Atlanta, 29; Tom Brady, New England, 15; Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay, 5; Derek Carr, Oakland, 1.
Running Backs
Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas, 47; David Johnson, Arizona, 3.
Tight End
Travis Kelce, Kansas City, 44; Greg Olsen, Carolina, 5; Rob Gronkowski, New England, 1.
Wide Receivers
Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh, 43; Julio Jones, Atlanta, 30; Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants, 16; Mike Evans, Tampa Bay, 6; Jordy Nelson, Green Bay 5.
Flex
David Johnson, Arizona, 24; Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh, 18; Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants, 3; Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh, 1; Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona, 1; LeSean McCoy, Buffalo, 1; Jarvis Landry, Miami, 1; Travis Kelce, Kansas City, 1.
Left Tackle
Tyron Smith, Dallas, 27; David Bakhtiari, Green Bay, 8; Joe Thomas, Cleveland, 7; Trent Williams, Washington, 3; Jason Peters, Philadelphia, 2; Taylor Lewan, Tennessee, 1; Donald Penn, Oakland, 1; Andrew Whitworth, Cincinnati, 1.
Right Tackle
Jack Conklin, Tennessee, 27 1-2; Mitchell Schwartz, Kansas City, 6; Marcus Cannon, New England, 6; Bryan Bulaga, Green Bay, 5 1-2; Zach Strief, New Orleans, 2; Ryan Schraeder, Atlanta, 2; Marcus Gilbert, Pittsburgh, 1; Left Guards
Kelechi Osemele, Oakland, 47; Marshal Yanda, Baltimore, 2; James Carpenter, New York Jets, 1. Right Guard
Zack Martin, Dallas, 40; David DeCastro, Pittsburgh, 5; Marshal Yanda, Baltimore, 4; Kevin Zeitler, Cincinnati, 1.
Center
Travis Frederick, Dallas, 29; Alex Mack, Atlanta, 14; Rodney Hudson, Oakland, 5; Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh, 1, Brandon Linder, Jacksonville, 1.
DEFENSE
Edge Rushers
Khalil Mack, Oakland, 46; Vic Beasley Jr., Atlanta, 30; Cameron Wake, Miami, 3; Olivier Vernon, Miami, 3; Jadeveon Clowney, Houston,m 3; Brandon Graham, Philadelphia, 3; Michael Bennett, Seattle, 2; Cameron Jordan, New Orleans, 2; Danielle Hunter, Minnesota, 2; Cliff Avril, Seattle, 2; Everon Griffen, Minnesota, 1; Joey Bosa, San Diego, 1.
Interior Linemen
Aaron Donald, St. Louis, 47; Damon Harrison, New York Giants 16; Ndamukong Suh, Miami, 12; Calais Campbell, Arizona, 7; Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay, 7; Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia, 6; Geno Atkins, Cincinnati, 5.
Linebackers-z
Bobby Wagner, Seattle, 48; Von Miller, Denver, 47; Sean Lee, Dallas, 41; Lorenzo Alexander, Buffalo, 4; Luke Kuechly, Carolina, 2; C.J. Mosley, Baltimore, 1; Zach Brown, Buffalo, 1; Zachary Orr, Baltimore, 1; Alec Ogletree, Los Angeles, 1; Dont'a Hightower, New England, 1; Bernardick McKinney, Houston, 1; Lavonte David, Tampa Bay, 1; Whitney Mercilus, Houston, 1.
Cornerbacks
Aqib Talib, Denver, 27; Marcus Peters, Kansas City, 23; Janoris Jenkins, New York Giants, 17; Malcolm Butler, New England, 8; Casey Hayward, San Diego, 8; Richard Sherman, Seattle, 7; Xavier Rhodes, Minnesota, 5; Chris Harris Jr., Denver, 4; Dominique-Rodgers-Cromartie, New York Giants, 1.
Safeties
Landon Collins, New York Giants, 47; Eric Berry, Kansas City, 31; Devin McCourty, New England, 4; Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Green Bay, 4; Earl Thomas, Seattle, 3; Harrison Smith, Minnesota, 3; Reggie Nelson, Cincinnati, 2; Kam Chancellor, Seattle, 2; Malcolm Jenkins, Philadelphia, 1; Eric Weddle, Baltimore, 1; Quintin Demps, Houston, 1; Darian Stewart, Denver, 1.
Defensive Back
Chris Harris Jr., Denver, 14; Dominique-Rodgers-Cromartie, New York Giants, 6; Malcolm Butler, New England, 5; Eric Berry, Kansas City, 3; Casey Hayward, San Diego, 3; Malcolm Jenkins, Philadelphia, 3; Patrick Peterson, Arizona, 2; Marcus Peters, Kansas City, 2; Xavier Rhodes, Minnesota, 2; Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Green Bay, 2; Janoris Jenkins, New York Giants, 2; Aqib Talib, Denver, 1; Darius Slay, Detroit, 1; Devin McCourty, New England, 1; Brent Grimes, Tampa Bay, 1; Richard Sherman, Seattle, 1; Eric Weddle, San Diego, 1.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker
Justin Tucker, Baltimore, 50.
Punter
Johnny Hekker, Los Angeles, 42; Marquette King, Oakland, 4; Pat McAfee, Indianapolis, 2; Brad Wing, New York Giants, 1; Sam Martin, Detroit, 1.
Kick Returner
Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota, 41; Tyler Lockett, Seattle, 5; Tyreek Hill, Kansas City, 5.
Punt Returner
Tyreek Hill, Kansas City, 50.
Special Teamer
Matthew Slater, New England, 14; Nate Ebner, New England, 12; Dwayne Harris, New York Giants, 6; Justin Bethel, Arizona, 3; Matt Develin, New England, 3; Michael Thomas, Miami, 3; Chase Reynolds, Los Angeles, 3; Eric Murray, Kansas City, 2; Chris Maragos, Philadelphia, 1; Eric Weems, Atlanta, 1; Josh Bellamy, Chicago, 1.
The Titans select Michigan State OT Jack Conklin in the first round (8th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. (AP Photos)
