Ranking Titans' Best Draft Classes: No. 5 is 1998 Group Anchored Kevin Dyson

The Tennessee Titans 1998 draft class, and in particular, first-round pick Kevin Dyson was responsible, at least in part, for two of the most memorable plays in the Titan's history in Nashville. Both those plays came in his second season in the NFL, where "he came up one yard short."

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NASHVILLE - As our continue resumes of the top-ten all-time best draft classes in the history of the Tennessee Titans, we move forward to our No.5 class, one that provided two of the biggest and best memories in the history of the team/s time in Music City. 

In just their second season as members of the Titans, six of the eight-member class of '98 earned either starting or significant roles for the team that would make it to the Super Bowl in '99. Led by first-round wide receiver Kevin Dyson, this class would do great things early on and be solid throughout their time in Nashville.  

 Here is the complete 1998 class, with the impact they had. 

Kevin Dyson, wide receiver

• Round: 1
• Pick: No. 16 overall
• College: Utah
• The skinny: Kevin Dyson was the team's first pick in 1998, and it didn't take him long to shine. Dyson spent five seasons (1998-2002) with the team and earned 176 receptions for 2,310 yards and 18 touchdowns. Titans fans will never forget one of his 18 touchdowns, as Dyson took the pass from Frank Wycheck to complete the miracle comeback against the Buffalo Bills in the '99 playoffs. The play, aptly named the "Music City Miracle," cemented Dyson into Titans loar for eternity. A few weeks later, Dyson would once again be the center of one of the biggest plays in team history when he was tackled at the one-yard line on the final play of Super Bowl XXXIV, as the Titans fell to the St Louis Rams, 23-16 in one of the best Super Bowls ever.    

Samari Rolle, defensive back

• Round: 2
• Pick: No. 46 overall
• College: Florida State
• The skinny: Selected in the second round, Rolle immediately stepped into the lineup, playing in 15 games his rookie season. While the stats might not be hall-of-fame worthy, there is no denying the impact Rolle had for the Titans as a lock-down corner during his serve seasons in two-tone blue. Rolle took one half of the field and allowed the Titans' defense to be more versatile because of his play. Twice during his Titans career, Rolle collected over 50 tackles in a season, along with 23 interceptions, but only once did he return one for a score. Rolle's play in his second season of 1999 was part of why the Titans advanced to the Super Bowl. Rolle was named Firt-Team All-Pro and earned his only Pro-Bowl bid in 2000. Like two other former Titans, Rolle would end his career with the hated Baltimore Ravens.    

Dainon Sidney, defensive back 

• Round: 3
• Pick: No. 77 overall
• College: UAB
• The skinny: Sidney spent five seasons as a member of the Titans. Though he never became a regular starter, Sudney was a solid and valuable substitute and s a favorite of his teammates for his willingness to play any role needed. For his career, Sidney tallied 107 tackles and six interceptions. He has remained in Nashville since retiring from football, where he now serves as an assistant football coach at a local high school.   

Joe Salave'a, defensive tackle

• Round: 4
• Pick: No. 107 overall
• College: Arizona
• The skinny: Salave'a spent five seasons with the Titans, mainly serving in a reserve role at defensive tackle. For his career, he appeared in 13 games as a rookie in '98 and 49 for the Titans. During that time, he registered 29 tackles and four sacks. Though never a regular starter, Salave'a was a solid contributor to the defensive line rotation during his days in Nashville. 

Benji Olson, offensive guard

• Round: 5
• Pick: No. 139 overall
• College: Washington
• The skinny: Olson spent his entire ten-year NFL career with the Titans, starting in 140 of the 152 games he participated in Nashville. He was a big, robust, and physical lineman with a nasty streak on the field, and he helped pave the way for Eddie George and Steve McNair during the team's run to Super Bowl XXXIV. Though he never earned a Pro Bowl bid, as a fifth-round pick, Olson far outplayed his draft position and was a dependable part of a perfect offensive line during his tenure. 

Lee Wiggins, defensive back 

• Round: 6
• Pick: No. 168 overall
• College: South Carolina
• The skinny: Wiggins never played in a game for the Titans 

Jimmy Sproutte, linebacker

• Round: 7
• Pick: No. 205 overall
• College: Arizona
• The skinny: Sproutte appeared as a special teams player in nine games, recording no stats in his lone season with the Titans. 

Kevin Long, center

• Round: 7
• Pick: No. 229 overall
• College: Florida State 
• The skinny: Another player who outperformed his draft status, Long became the starting center for the Titans in 1999 as part of their lone Super Bowl team. He stated 35 of the 63 games he appeared in during his four-year run with the franchise. Another player who remained in the Nashville area after his playing days Long, owns a mortgage brokerage in Hendersonville.  

Titans Hits of 1998

Six of the ten members of this class played either a starting or valuable backup role for this franchise, and for their efforts, they made their way to the biggest stage in sports. Dyson will always be remembered for his miracle and the final play of XXXIV, while Rolle, Olson, and Long became the team's starters. Sidney and Salave'a were critical contributors in backup roles that helped make this class No. 5 on our list of top ten draft classes.     

Titans Misses of 1998

The Titans missed on both Wiggins and Sproutte in this class, which is not a wrong number for a ten-member class.  

Conclusion

The Titans' 1998 draft class and their 1999 counterparts played major parts in the team's '99 Super Bowl appearance. You know a class was deep when their final pick in round seven became a starter. Some might argue this class should be higher on our list, but they haven't seen the top five yet.     

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