Titans Projected Starting Lineup: Offensive Pass Catchers at Wide Receiver and Tight End
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans had a major task ahead of them at wide receiver and tight end entering this offseason. With little talent at wide receiver and only one NFL-level tight end on the roster, the expectation was the Titans would make some moves to improve at both spots. That hasn’t happened. So, where are the Titans at both positions?
WIDE RECEIVERS
Treylon Burks
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
Kyle Philips(Slot)
Hard to see those three names and not feel pain deep in your soul. Yes, Burks has a great chance to be a good receiver in the league if he can stay healthy, but at this point that is the only redeeming quality with this trio. Westbrook-Ikhine is a fourth or fifth receiver at best, but the Titans continue to try and put a square block in a circle hole by forcing him to play as a top two or three receiver on the team. Where we are in free agency now, there is no veteran realistically available that could change the fortune of this team and NWI’s role.
Philips showed flashes of being a quality slot receiver early in the season. He had six catches in week one of the 2022 season. However, Philips only played in four games and made zero positive impact on the Titans’ offense after that first week. Philips was a fifth-round rookie last season that suffered multiple injuries. Yes, there is reason for optimism, but having him be the second-most talented receiver on your team is how you tank a season. The Titans have no choice, but to draft two receivers in April, but barring a blockbuster trade, this will be the worst receiver group in the NFL.
How to Address the Need:
As mentioned, the Titans will have no choice, but to draft a receiver early and late with what the group looks like right now. The Titans could choose to also add a veteran in a late wave of free agency, but it would be hard to find anyone that moves the needle at this point. They could pull off a trade, but with the limited draft capital they have this draft season, it seems unlikely that is a real option.
TIGHT END
Chig Okonkwo
Okonkwo was one of the lone bright spots from the Titans’ 2022 season. Okonkwo burst on the scene as one of the most explosive tight ends in the NFL. By any metric, he was incredibly impactful for the Titans. He will now enter his second season in the league and has a chance to really build on what he started in his rookie year. This issue is, he will need some help.
The Titans use multiple tight end formations quite a bit and can even use Okonkwo like a slot receiver. So, the fact they have completely gone blind to the tight end position is confusing. The Titans will desperately need a traditional blocking tight end to pair with Okonkwo and banking on that coming from the NFL draft is quite risky.
How To Address the Need:
The Titans will need more than just rookies at tight end. Yes, it would be smart to draft one in a really good tight end class, but to only have a second-year and a rookie tight-end would be dangerous. Tight end is a spot you can find more value in free agency at this stage than at receiver so look for the Titans to add a veteran on a cheap deal and draft a tight end.
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