As the Titans wait on Hopkins’ decision, they are content with current group of WRs

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It was simply a few years in the past that there was little doubt concerning the Tennessee Titans‘ future at vast receiver, spearheaded by A.J. Brown who was seemingly on his technique to placing his identify all around the franchise’s all-time receiving file e book.

That got here to an finish when Brown was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022 in trade for the 18th and a hundred and first general picks in that yr’s draft. In flip, the Titans used the 18th choose to pick out Treylon Burkswho’s now the following receiver charged with main the group.

Burks confirmed promise throughout a stellar two-game stretch final season as a rookie wherein he produced three of the Titans’ 11 receptions of 40 yards or extra. Burks caught seven passes for 111 yards in a 27-17 win over the Green Bay Packerstogether with a 51-yard reception towards premiere cornerback Jaire Alexander. He additionally hauled in 4 receptions for 70 yards the next week towards the Cincinnati Bengals.

Burks checked into OTAs this offseason with a noticeably leaner construct and intensified swagger. Burks mentioned he’s in nice form and feels higher this season just because he can breathe, suggesting that points with bronchial asthma and struggles with conditioning from the beginning of the earlier offseason have been a factor of the previous.

“Treylon’s grown lots,” quarterback Ryan Tannehill mentioned. “He is flying round and transferring quick, taking part in with quite a lot of confidence proper now.”

It reveals within the performs that he made throughout OTAs and minicamp whether or not it was a leaping catch over a defensive again in the long run zone or racing behind the protection for a deep move.

Though Burks brings potential, Tennessee’s receiver group would possibly finest be described as unproven.

Tennessee’s solely vital offseason additions to the receiver corps included drafting Colton Dowell within the seventh spherical and signing free-agent wideout Chris Moore. Moore’s seven NFL seasons instantly make him the elder statesman within the room.

Second-year receiver Kyle Phillips confirmed promise throughout coaching camp as a rookie however solely performed 4 video games due to shoulder and hamstring accidents. The Titans like his short-area quickness which helps him get open as a slot receiver.

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine will compete for one of many outdoors spots, however he solely caught 25 of the 50 targets that got here his manner final season. Accidents have additionally hampered Racey McMath‘s quest to change into the deep risk the workforce hopes he can change into.

Assist could possibly be on the way in which if the Titans are in a position to land free agent DeAndre Hopkins whom they hosted on a visit earlier this month. The go to went effectively and Tennessee believes they’ve a legit probability at signing the five-time Professional Bowl receiver.

Hopkins’ profession totals in receptions (853), receiving yards (11,298) and receiving touchdowns (71) are greater than each participant on the Titans roster mixed, together with working backs and tight ends. Including Hopkins to the room would certainly bolster the group and take stress off Burks whereas offering him with a confirmed veteran to be taught from.

Nonetheless, Burks is not placing all of his eggs within the Hopkins basket but.

“It will be enjoyable to play with him,” Burks mentioned. “So if we ended up getting him, we get him. If we don’t, we don’t. No offense to him. He’s an excellent participant. However I like taking part in with who we’ve got right here.”

A take a look at numerous preseason publications and rankings current a bleak outlook on Tennessee’s receiver group. For instance, ESPN’s Mike Clay has the Titans slotted as the worst receiver group within the league.

“I do not take heed to any of that,” Moore mentioned throughout minicamp. “It is simply folks’s opinions who aren’t on this constructing and do not see what goes on each day.”

The group has already discovered to carry one another accountable to carry out at a excessive degree. However in addition they emphasize the significance of not placing an excessive amount of stress on anybody whereas specializing in simply having enjoyable.

New Titans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly might be tasked with discovering a technique to maximize the expertise that’s at present on the roster. Kelly’s confidence within the receiver group comes from how he is seen them make performs in massive video games.

“You wish to discuss Nick Westbrook-Ikhine? You’ll be able to go watch the [Washington] Commanders movie final yr when he went up and made an enormous play for us,” Kelly mentioned throughout OTAs. “You wish to discuss Kyle Philips? You’ll be able to go watch the New York Giants movie when he made a play to place us in place to win a sport.

“Treylon Burks? You’ll be able to go and watch the Cincinnati Bengals sport when he went excessive on the deep ball. Activate the Cowboys sport and watch Racey [McMath]. There’s sufficient examples of all these guys making performs at this degree.”

Regardless of the chances that the Titans could have, solely three groups completed with much less passing yards than the three,227 they’d final season, and Tennessee’s 16 passing touchdowns have been tied for the third-lowest within the NFL.

Nonetheless, the Titans know they are not outlined by statistics. As Moore put it: “If we’re profitable video games, it does not matter what the numbers are.”