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Five NFL players in danger of a sophomore slump

Jack Conklin, right tackle, Tennessee Titans

Joey Bosa, Jack Conklin

When the Titans drafted Conklin eighth overall, ahead of Laremy Tunsil who was free falling after the now-infamous gas-mask bong video surfaced, it was easy to criticize them for passing on a sure thing in Tunsil. Conklin, however, did more than surprise. He finished the year as Pro Football Focus’ sixth-highest graded tackle, at 88.9 and was a First-Team All-Pro.

The Titans come into the year with one of the best lines in football after adding guard Josh Kline and center Ben Jones in free agency. In addition to Conklin, Taylor Lewan — their young left tackle — was PFF’s seventh-highest graded tackle and guard Quinton Spain wasn’t too shabby either.

However, it’s tough to see Conklin staying at the same level this season. Tennessee head coach Mike Mularkey frequently gave Conklin help in 2016, using a guard or a tight end to chip the pass rusher going against him. The Titans used an extra running back or tight end 58 percent of the time, less than all but three teams last season.

After beefing up on the receiver position in the draft, taking Corey Davis with the fifth overall pick and Taywan Taylor in the third round, it seems unlikely that Tennessee goes so heavy on those personnel groupings again.

Conklin will likely still be fine. He was good enough last season to survive without the help Mularkey gave him, but he wasn’t a first-team All-Pro. Assuming the Titans shift schematically, he’ll see a fair amount of regression in his sophomore campaign.

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