NASHVILLE, Tenn. –The Pro Football Writers of America have named Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan to their 2014 All-Rookie Team.
Lewan was named as one of two rookie tackles to be honored along with Ja'Wuan James of the Miami Dolphins. The Titans selected Lewan out of the University of Michigan with the 11th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Tennessee drafted Lewan as the heir apparent to the decade-long staple at left tackle Michael Roos. The team's left tackle of the future joined the starting lineup earlier than expected when Roos went down with a season ending knee-injury in Week 5 against the Browns.
Lewan, who became the first Titans/Oilers rookie to start in at least six games at left tackle since Brad Hopkins in 1993, anchored the Titans offensive line seamlessly and consistently graded positively in his six starts according to Pro Football Focus. An ankle injury in week 12 against the Eagles ended Lewan's rookie campaign prematurely.
The honor speaks volumes to just how good Lewan played in his six starts in 11 games played.
Titans Online looks at the 2014 season of Taylor Lewan, who became the first Titans/Oilers rookie to start at least six games at left tackle since Brad Hopkins in 1993. (AP Photos)
Lewan was the third tackle taken in 2014 behind Greg Robinson (second overall to the Rams) and Jake Matthews (sixth overall to the Falcons). Both Robinson and Matthews, who started 12 and 15 games respectively, were outplayed by Lewan and left off the all-rookie team.
Other notables from the PFWA All-Rookie Team include Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. as the overall Rookie of the Year as well as Offensive Rookie of the Year. Rams Defensive Tackle Aaron Donald was named the Defensive Rookie of the Year.
No other AFC South rookie made the team apart from Lewan.
Here's the entire All-Rookie Team:
2014 PFWA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: WR Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants
2014 PFWA OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: WR Odell Beckham, Jr., New York Giants
2014 PFWA DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: DT Aaron Donald, St. Louis Rams
2014 PFWA ALL-ROOKIE TEAM
Offense
QB – Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota Vikings
RB – Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati Bengals; Tre Mason, St. Louis Rams
WR – Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants; Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TE – Jace Amaro, New York Jets
C – Corey Linsley, Green Bay Packers
G – Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns; Zach Martin, Dallas Cowboys
T – Taylor Lewan, Tennessee Titans; Ja'Wuan James, Miami Dolphins
Defense
DL – Aaron Donald, St. Louis Rams; Timmy Jernigan, Baltimore Ravens; Kony Ealy, Carolina Panthers; Justin Ellis, Oakland Raiders
LB – Chris Borland, San Francisco 49ers; Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders; C.J. Mosley, Baltimore Ravens
CB – Kyle Fuller, Chicago Bears; E.J. Gaines, St. Louis Rams
S – Deone Bucannon, Arizona Cardinals; Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Green Bay Packers
Special Teams
PK – Cody Parkey, Philadelphia Eagles
P – Pat O'Donnell, Chicago Bears
KR – Jarvis Landry, Miami Dolphins
PR – De'Anthony Thomas, Kansas City Chiefs
ST – Trey Burton, Philadelphia Eagles
The Titans selected Michigan tackle Taylor Lewan with the 11th overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft.
