Tajaé Sharpe
refer to caption
Sharpe with the Titans in 2019
Personal information
Born: (1994-12-23) December 23, 1994
Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:194 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:Piscataway Township
(Piscataway, New Jersey)
College:UMass
Position:Wide receiver
NFL Draft:2016 / Round: 5 / Pick: 140
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2021
Receptions:117
Receiving yards:1,397
Receiving touchdowns:8
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Tajaé Lamar Sharpe (born December 23, 1994) is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football for the UMass Minutemen, earning second-team All-American honors in 2015. He was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Sharpe has also played for the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons.

Early years

Sharpe attended Piscataway Township High School in Piscataway, New Jersey and played football and basketball.[1] He was a two-star recruit by Rivals.com and committed to the University of Massachusetts (UMass) to play college football.[2][3]

College career

In 2012, Sharpe had 20 receptions for 206 yards in 11 games and made eight starts as a freshman at UMass.

Sharpe led the team with 61 receptions for 680 yards and four touchdowns in 2013 and 85 receptions for 1,281 yards and seven touchdowns in 2014.[4][5][6][7]

As a senior in 2015, Sharpe broke UMass records for career receptions and receiving yards, finishing the season with 111 receptions for 1,319 yards and five touchdowns.[8][9][10][11]

Sharpe majored in communications.[12][13]

College statistics

Tajae Sharpe
Season Team GP Receiving Rushing
RecYdsAvgTDAttYdsAvgTD
2012Massachusetts 112020610.30000.00
2013Massachusetts 126168011.14000.00
2014Massachusetts 12851,28115.173144.70
2015Massachusetts 121111,31911.951-3-3.00
Career472773,48612.6164112.80

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard splitVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 2 in
(1.88 m)		 194 lb
(88 kg)		 32+1⁄4 in
(0.82 m)		 8+3⁄8 in
(0.21 m)		4.55 s1.55 s2.61 s33.5 in
(0.85 m)		9 ft 6 in
(2.90 m)		11 reps
All values from NFL Combine[14]

Tennessee Titans

Sharpe was selected in the fifth round with the 140th overall pick by the Tennessee Titans in the 2016 NFL Draft.[15]

2016 season

On May 9, 2016, the Titans signed Sharpe to a four-year, $2.61 million contract with a signing bonus of $274,884.[16][17]

Throughout training camp, Sharpe competed with Andre Johnson, Dorial Green-Beckham, and Kendall Wright for a starting wide receiver position. He was named one of the starting wide receivers, opposite Rishard Matthews, going into the regular season.

Sharpe made his NFL debut and first NFL start in the season-opener against the Minnesota Vikings. He finished the 16–25 loss with seven receptions for 76 yards.[18] During a Week 10 47–25 victory over the Green Bay Packers, Sharpe caught three passes for 68 yards and his first NFL touchdown on a 33-yard reception from Marcus Mariota in the third quarter.[19] In the next game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sharpe had four receptions for 68 yards and a 34-yard touchdown pass as the Titans lost on the road by a score of 24–17.[20] The Titans tripled their win total from the previous year, finishing with a 9–7 record, but did not qualify for the playoffs.[21]

Sharpe finished his rookie season with 41 receptions for 522 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games and 10 starts.[22]

2017 season

On September 2, 2017, Sharpe was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury, ending his season before it even started.[23] Without Sharpe, the Titans finished with a 9–7 record and qualified for the playoffs.[24][25] However, their season ended after they lost to the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round.[26]

2018 season

Sharpe in 2018

Sharpe returned from his injury in time for the Titans' season-opening 27–20 road loss to the Miami Dolphins, recording a 17-yard reception.[27] Three weeks later against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sharpe had three receptions for 27 yards and his first touchdown of the season as the Titans won by a score of 26–23 in overtime.[28] During a narrow Week 7 20–19 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in London, Sharpe matched his single-game career-high in receptions with seven and also gained a new career-high in receiving yards with 101.[29] During a Week 11 38–10 road loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Sharpe caught five passes for 37 yards and a touchdown.[30]

Sharpe finished the 2018 season with 26 receptions for 316 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games and 13 starts.[31] The Titans finished with a third straight 9–7 season and did not qualify for the playoffs.[32]

2019 season

During a Week 7 23–20 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, Sharpe caught two passes for 19 yards and his first touchdown of the season on a five-yard reception from Ryan Tannehill.[33] In the next game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sharpe had three receptions for 18 yards and a touchdown as the Titans won by a score of 27–23.[34] He did not play in Week 13 against the Indianapolis Colts due to a hamstring injury.[35] During a Week 16 38–28 loss against the New Orleans Saints, Sharpe recorded five receptions for 69 yards and two touchdowns.[36]

Sharpe finished the regular season with 25 receptions for 329 yards and a career-high four touchdowns in 15 games and six starts.[37] The Titans finished with a fourth straight 9–7 season, qualifying for the playoffs and advancing to the AFC Championship Game where they lost to the eventual Super Bowl Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. Sharpe played in all three of the Titans' playoff games, starting in the Wild Card Round against the New England Patriots and recording a six-yard reception during the AFC Championship Game.[38][39][40][41]

Minnesota Vikings

On March 25, 2020, Sharpe signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings.[42] He was waived on December 14, 2020.[43]

Kansas City Chiefs

On December 22, 2020, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Sharpe to their practice squad.[44] His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on February 16, 2021.[45]

Sharpe re-signed with the Chiefs on April 9, 2021.[46] However, he was waived on May 17, 2021.[47]

Atlanta Falcons

On May 24, 2021, Sharpe signed with the Atlanta Falcons.[48] He played in 15 games with seven starts, recording 25 receptions for 230 yards.[49]

Chicago Bears

On May 12, 2022, Sharpe signed with the Chicago Bears.[50] After head coach Matt Eberflus announced that Sharpe would miss the whole 2022 season with a rib injury,[51] he was placed on injured reserve on August 31, 2022.[52] Sharpe was released on September 9, 2022.[53]

San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers hosted Sharpe for a workout on October 31, 2022.[54] He was signed to their practice squad on November 7, 2022.[55] Sharpe was released on November 23, 2022.[56]

NFL career statistics

Regular season statistics
Year Team Games Receiving Rushing Fumbles
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2016TEN 16104152212.7342111.01000
2017TEN 00Did not play due to injury
2018TEN 16132631612.228211616.016000
2019TEN 1562532913.2474000.00000
2020MIN 40000.000000.00000
2021ATL 157252309.2170000.00000
Career66361171,39711.94782178.516000
Postseason statistics
Year Team Games Receiving Rushing Fumbles
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2017TEN 00Did not play due to injury
2019TEN 31166.060000.00000
Career31166.060000.00000

Personal life

Sharpe's grandmother, Cozy Little, is a breast cancer survivor who was initially diagnosed in 2001.[57]

Sharpe also has a rap career, under the name Show. As of June 6, 2021, Sharpe has released four full-length studio albums; First Quarter, released in 2019, Credentials and Delay of Game, both released in 2020, and Overtime, released in 2021.

On May 10, 2017, Sharpe and teammate Sebastian Tretola were named as defendants in a federal civil lawsuit that alleges the teammates were at a Nashville bar watching the 2017 NFL Draft. Dante R. Satterfield, the plaintiff in the lawsuit, claims he told Sharpe he'd probably lose playing time as a result of the Titans selecting wide receiver Corey Davis in the first round. The report alleges Sharpe responded by challenging him to a fight in a back alley and was accompanied by Tretola as a lookout. Satterfield claims he was knocked unconscious for 12 hours, suffered a concussion, and facial fractures from the incident and is suing for $500,000 in damages.[58][59]

References

  1. ↑ Tufaro, Greg (May 1, 2016). "Piscataway pipeline to NFL continues with Sharpe's pick in draft". MY CENTRAL JERSEY. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Tajae Sharpe, 2012 Wide Receiver". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  3. ↑ Plumer, Harry (August 22, 2012). "UMass football freshman WR Tajae Sharpe's 'FBI' the reason he'll see playing time". MassLive. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  4. ↑ Benbow, Julian (October 3, 2014). "Tajae Sharpe receiving a lot of responsibility for UMass". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  5. ↑ Malone, Daniel (September 29, 2014). "UMass wide receiver Tajae Sharpe continues to rack up big numbers in breakout junior season". MassLive. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  6. ↑ "2013 Massachusetts Minutemen Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  7. ↑ "2014 Massachusetts Minutemen Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  8. ↑ Malone, Daniel (September 20, 2015). "UMass vs. Temple: Tajae Sharpe sets new program record for receptions in loss". MassLive. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  9. ↑ Vautour, Matt (October 30, 2015). "Notebook: UMass legend Adrian Zullo on hand to see Tajae Sharpe break his receiving record". Gazette Net. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  10. ↑ Benbow, Julian (October 9, 2015). "UMass receiver Tajae Sharpe lets his feats do the talking". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  11. ↑ "2015 FBS (I-A) College Football Individual Statistics Leaders for Receiving - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  12. ↑ Connolly, John (August 18, 2014). "Tajae Sharpe edge at WR benefits Minutemen". Boston Herald. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Tajae Sharpe College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  14. ↑ "NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - Tajae Sharpe". www.nfl.com. Archived from the original on September 12, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  15. ↑ "2016 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Tajae Sharpe". Spotrac.com. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
  17. ↑ Wyatt, Jim (May 9, 2016). "Titans agree to terms with six draft picks". TitansOnline.com. Archived from the original on November 11, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Minnesota Vikings at Tennessee Titans - September 11th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Green Bay Packers at Tennessee Titans - November 13th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts - November 20th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Houston Oilers/Tennessee Oilers/Tennessee Titans Team Records, Leaders, and League Ranks". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Tajae Sharpe 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  23. ↑ Wyatt, Jim (September 2, 2017). "Titans Down to 53 Players: A Position-by-Position Look". TitansOnline.com. Archived from the original on February 6, 2018.
  24. ↑ "2017 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  25. ↑ Wyatt, Jim (December 31, 2017). "Titans Beat Jaguars, Punch Ticket to Playoffs". TitansOnline.com. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Divisional Round – Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots – January 13th, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins - September 9th, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  28. ↑ Wyatt, Jim (September 30, 2018). "Titans Win Overtime Thriller Over Eagles, 26-23". Titans Online. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  29. ↑ Bacharach, Erik (October 24, 2018). "Titans' Tajae Sharpe has career day vs. Chargers, but Titans receivers still have work to do". Tennessean.com. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts - November 18th, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Tajae Sharpe 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  32. ↑ "2018 Tennessee Titans Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  33. ↑ "Los Angeles Chargers at Tennessee Titans - October 20th, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  34. ↑ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tennessee Titans - October 27th, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  35. ↑ "Titans' Tajae Sharpe: Added to injury report". CBSSports.com. November 30, 2019. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  36. ↑ "Saints chasing NFC's top seed rally to beat Titans 38-28". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 22, 2019. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  37. ↑ "Tajae Sharpe 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  38. ↑ "2019 Tennessee Titans Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  39. ↑ "Wild Card - Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots - January 4th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  40. ↑ "Divisional Round - Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens - January 11th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  41. ↑ "AFC Championship - Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs - January 19th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  42. ↑ Herndon, Mike B. (March 25, 2020). "Report: Former Titans WR Tajae Sharpe signing a one year deal with the Vikings". MusicCityMiracles.com. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  43. ↑ "Vikings Activate TE Hale Hentges from Exempt; Announce Roster Moves". Vikings.com. December 14, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  44. ↑ Teope, Herbie [@HerbieTeope] (December 22, 2020). "Chiefs placed LB Anthony Hitchens on the reserve/COVID-19 list, per Tuesday's NFL Transactions report. Also, the expected signings I previously reported on RB Elijah McGuire and WR Tajae Sharpe are official now" (Tweet). Retrieved December 25, 2020 – via Twitter.
  45. ↑ "Six reserves see contracts expire". FantasyGuru.com. February 16, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  46. ↑ "2021 NFL Transactions: Signings – April". NFL.com. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  47. ↑ Smith, Michael David (May 17, 2021). "Chiefs cut Tajae Sharpe". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  48. ↑ Urben, Matt (May 24, 2021). "Falcons sign former Titans wide receiver Tajae Sharpe". Falcons Wire. USA Today. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  49. ↑ "Tajae Sharpe 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  50. ↑ Mayer, Larry (May 12, 2022). "Roster Moves: Bears sign WRs Pettis, Sharpe". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  51. ↑ "Bears' Tajae Sharpe: Out for season with rib injury". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  52. ↑ Mayer, Larry (August 31, 2022). "Roster Moves: Bears claim six players off waivers". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  53. ↑ "Tajae Sharpe: Released from injured reserve". CBSSports.com. September 9, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  54. ↑ Machlin, Tzvi (October 31, 2022). "The 49ers Worked Out 3 Veteran Wide Receivers Today". the Spun. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  55. ↑ "49ers Open IR Practice Windows for Al-Shaair, McKivitz and Mitchell". 49ers.com. November 7, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  56. ↑ "Tajae Sharpe: Cut with injury settlement". CBSSports.com. November 24, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  57. ↑ Glennon, John (October 12, 2016). "Why rookie Tajae Sharpe's grandmother is the 12th Titan". The Tennessean. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  58. ↑ Grunik, Katie (May 10, 2017). "Titans players sued for $500K, accused of beating man up over draft results". Fox17.com. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  59. ↑ Barchenger, Stacey (May 9, 2017). "Tajae Sharpe, Titan's teammate, accused of assaulting Nashville man". Tennessean.com. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
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