Tennessee Titans’ Wide Receiver Issue and Top Free Agent Targets Still Available
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans had a massive need at wide receiver coming into free agency and nothing they have done so far addresses it. It isn’t time to worry or panic though as there continues to be some solid options still on the market. Not only that, but the wide receiver deals that have been signed are a good sign for the Titans.
If you look at the Titans’ depth chart at receiver, it is fair to be concerned. The only player who has truly shown anything at the NFL level is Treylon Burks and even Burks only played 11 games for the Titans in his rookie year. Outside of that you have Kyle Philips, Racey McMath, Mason Kinsey and Reggie Roberson. That foursome has played a total of 21 career games and caught only nine total passes.
The Titans almost certainly have to add a veteran in free agency at the position. They have missed out on some of the top names on the market, watching Jakobi Meyers, Allen Lazard and JuJu Smith-Schuster get deals with other teams. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Most analysts would tell you this is a poor free agent class at receiver so not paying over $10 million a year for those names seems shrewd. Also, those receiver got much less than the $15+ million per season marks some projected.
If the top names on the market got less than expected, that will trickle down and make the some of the middle-tier options that much more reasonably priced. With that in mind, let’s look at some of the best options still available on the free agent market at receiver that make sense for the Titans.
Mecole Hardman
First and foremost, Hardman brings a ton of speed to the table. The Titans desperately need to add speed to the roster and head coach Mike Vrabel has said such publicly. Not only that, but Hardman brings production as well. In his four seasons, Hardman has caught 151 passes, racked up 2213 total scrimmage yards and scored 18 touchdowns. However, it would be fair to wonder how much of that success can be contributed to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ excellent offense.
Other than speed, the Titans also need durability. They need players who will stay on the field. Hardman has generally been durable, playing in every possible game the first three seasons of his career. The problem is that trend didn’t continue in 2022. Hardman only played in eight games due to injury and as a smaller player, 5’ 10 and 187 pounds, it makes you also wonder if he will stay healthy as he gets older.
Parris Campbell
If you enjoyed speed with some injury concerns, you are going to love Campbell. Campbell is the opposite of Hardman on the injury front. Terrible durability the first three years of his career and a fully healthy 2022. Campbell played only 15 games from 2019-2021, but in 2022 played all 17 games for the Colts. He was incredibly productive too and finally looked like the player folks expected when he was drafted in the second round out of Ohio State.
Campbell used his speed and sure hands to catch 63 passes for 623 yards and three scores. If healthy, he would be a perfect fit in the Titans’ offense as someone who can make plays underneath, get down the field to take the top off the defense and can be used on gadget plays like reverses, sweeps and screens. Tim Kelly’s offense in Houston ran a ton of slot fades as well which Campbell could succeed on.
Darius Slayton
Slayton isn’t quite the speedster that Hardman or Campbell are, but he still has enough burst to be considered a positive addition. Slayton was a sub 4.4 in the forty-yard dash coming out of college. Speed, check. How about durability? Slayton has played in 13 games in every season of his career including 16 games in 2022. That reliability led to some solid production. 170 catches, 2554 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns is more production than either of the two receivers listed above.
One thing we have to mention here is the Titans don’t typically go after smaller players in free agency. Vrabel likes his “off the bus” guys. So, maybe Hardman and Campbell don’t tickle his fancy. That is where Slayton can deliver. Slayton is 6’1 and 190 pounds. He may not be as fast as the previous two options, but he is not far off and with that size and production and durability advantage, Slayton could be the perfect fit.
Mack Hollins
TRADITIONNNNNNN…TRADITION! What no Fiddler on the Roof fans here? Rest in peace to Chaim Topol first of all, but secondly, the Titans could get back to their old ways with a receiver signing and bring in Mack Hollins. Hollins does not check the speed box, but he does give the Titans a big, physical wide receiver that they have historically wanted during the Mike Vrabel era. Hollins is 6’4” and 221 pounds. He has a knack for going up and over cornerbacks to make plays. Hollins was a late bloomer though, not having an incredibly productive season until his age-29 campaign in 2022.
Last season, Hollins put up 57 catches for 690 yards and four scores. His catches and yards would’ve been tops on the Titans. Hollins has played every game the last three seasons. He has also played over 200 special teams snaps in three seasons of his career. Hollins has been productive, durable and versatile. We also have to talk about his blocking. At his size, he can move people around and did so for Las Vegas last season while helping Josh Jacobs lead the league in rushing. He could be a Vrabel fever dream.
- TITANS SIGN DILLARD: The Titans' biggest area of need entering free agency has their first new member with the announcement that former Eagles tackle Andre Dillard will sign with Tennessee. CLICK HERE
- TITANS LOSE DAVIS: The Tennessee Titans will need to find a new starting right guard after free agent Nate Davis joins the Chicago Bears on a three-year deal. CLICK HERE
- FREE AGENCY FORESHADOWING: The Tennessee Titans are set at the starting line of NFL Free Agency with a ton of needs on the roster. How they choose to address those needs will tell us a lot about how the front office sees the team’s potential in 2023. CLICK HERE
