Bishop

Sankey

He did 26 reps on the bench to rank second among running backs in Indy, and tied for fourth in the broad jump (10-foot-6). We were less impressed with Sankey during our initial tape reviews, but his Combine was very strong and he’s currently Mike Mayock’s No. 3 tailback prospect. We’ll have to go back and study him some more. Mayock has likened Sankey to Giovani Bernard.

Sankey played in Steve Sarkisian’s pro-style offense with the Huskies and has experience in blitz pickup, but his running traits fail to stand out on film. In our initial game-tape reviews, Sankey reminded of Vick Ballard. NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock currently ranks Sankey as this year’s No. 3 running back, behind only Carlos Hyde of Ohio State and LSU’s Jeremy Hill.

Kuharsky kept Sankey around instead of Antonio Andrews and 2015 fifth-rounder David Cobb. That trio is likely competing for one roster spot, and at this point it is anyone’s guess who emerges in training camp. Sankey has averaged just 3.8 yards per carry over 199 career attempts, but that is still better than anything Andrews or Cobb has been able to muster.

The first back taken in the 2014 draft, Sankey went unclaimed on waivers. Even Justin Hunter was given a look by the Dolphins. Sankey does not need to be owned even in deeper Dynasty formats.

The Titans also dumped 2013 second-rounder Justin Hunter. The Titans made Sankey the first running back off the board in the 2014 draft, selecting him in the second round at No. 54 overall. The light never came on for he or Hunter, as Sankey rushed for just 762 yards and three touchdowns on 199 carries (3.8 YPC) his first two seasons. Sankey put up a respectable rushing line this preseason (13-79-1), but it wasn’t enough to earn him a spot behind DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry. Look for Sankey to get another chance somewhere else.

#AsExpected. Sankey has no shot to pass offseason additions DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry, and is going to have a tough time leaping longtime Titans superstar Dexter McCluster on the depth chart. A trade for a conditional day-three pick remains Sankey’s most likely outcome.

Sankey was phased out last year and is now on the bubble with DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry set to dominate carries. However, Mularkey is impressed by how Sankey has responded with his back against the wall. “Bishop has done some good things out here,” said Mularkey. “It’s amazing the good competition that’s taken place at this position with two new backs. Everybody’s game has stepped up.” Sankey may need to play special teams to last in Nashville.

In other words, the Titans are hoping Sankey can put something good on film and fetch a conditional day-three draft pick in a trade. The Titans have a glut of bodies at running back, with DeMarco Murray, Derrick Henry, Dexter McCluster and Antonio Andrews joining Sankey.

It’s not the worst idea, as Sankey has never been strong enough. He wasn’t an impressive tackle breaker even on his college film. Sankey is as good as gone in Tennessee, but will try to impress potential trade partners against second- and third-team defenses in the preseason.

Coach Mike Mularkey insisted Sankey did “very well” with his opportunities, but there may no longer be a roster spot for Sankey in Tennessee. DeMarco Murray, rookie Derrick Henry, and change-of-pace back Dexter McCluster have jobs sewn up. Sankey will fight Antonio Andrews and David Cobb for the Titans’ fourth running back position, assuming of course that Tennessee keeps four.