Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is the only rookie from 2020 Tennessee Titans still with the club five years later. It was the failure of that draft class and the one after that led to the downfall of then-general manager Jon Robinson and also played a part in the departure of Mike Vrabel after a second consecutive losing season last year.
Here is a look at all the other rookies – drafted and undrafted from the COVID year – and what became of them.
• Isaiah Wilson, T, Georgia, first round (29th overall) – Probably the worst draft pick in franchise history, especially given the lack of production. Robinson squeezed a late-round pick from Miami to pawn Wilson off on them. He was quickly out of there and was last seen on the Giants practice squad sometime in 2021 before disappearing for good from the NFL to pursue a rap career.
• Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU, second round (61st overall) – There were high hopes for Fulton as a heralded cornerback from LSU, but injuries and not being a personality fit with Mike Vrabel hastened his departure after his rookie contract expired last year. He signed a one-year prove-it deal with the Chargers.•
• Darrynton Evans, RB, Appalachian State, third round (93rd overall) – Evans was supposed to be Tyjae Spears before Tyjae Spears. Instead, he quickly wore out his welcome due to injuries and has bounced through five organizations in as many years. He’s now in camp with the Buffalo Bills.
• Larell Murchison, DL, North Carolina State, fifth round (174th overall) – Murchison was a back of the rotation D-linemen in two-plus seasons with the Titans before being dumped on the waiver wire in a roster crunch. The Rams claimed him and he has been there ever since.
• Cole McDonald, QB, Hawaii, seventh round (224th overall) – Never even made it to the first preseason game before the Titans cut him. Got a brief look in Arizona but didn’t stick there either. Spent 2022 as a backup for the XFL Houston Roughnecks.
• Chris Jackson, CB Marshall, seventh round (243rd overall) – Jackson spent three seasons with the Titans, including an injury-plagued season in 2022. He was released in camp last year and has not resurfaced.
• Aaron Brewer, C, Texas State, undrafted – Brewer started on the Titans offensive line for two years, one at guard and one at center. A decent athlete and run blocker, he was just too small to be consistently effective, especially in pass protection. That didn’t stop the Miami Dolphins from giving him a three-year contract in the offseason.
• Teair Tart, NT, Florida International, undrafted – A project defensive lineman with some talent, who looked like he was on his way to being a standout in 2022. But in 2023, apparently unhappy with a restricted free agent tender instead of a long-term deal, his attitude and effort came into question eventually leading the Titans to waive him late in the year. The Texans claimed him, but didn’t re-sign him. Instead, he landed in Miami for 2024.
-- Terry McCormick