Training camp is set to begin for the Tennessee Titans in just a few weeks, and while there are some fascinating camp battles to break down (and oh, we will…), I don’t know if there’s a more interesting one than the race at wide receiver. Now, that’s not to say the receiver battle is the most important – I think you’d have to put the offensive line and cornerback battles ahead of it. But, I do think it’s going to be the most intriguing for a couple of reasons.
One, the turnover among this group is wild. I mean, look at the receiving room a year ago. AJ Brown was the future of the position – the most talented wide receiver the Titans had ever seen. The team just traded for Julio Jones, and he was expected to give the Titans a 1-2 punch like they’d never had before. The team signed Josh Reynolds to be its serviceable WR3. Not to mention, guys like Chester Rogers and Marcus Johnson were earning roster spots. Hell, Johnson was even one of last summer’s camp darlings. And now, all of ’em…every last one…they’re all gone. I don’t remember the last time there was this much turnover among that group in a single offseason. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is now their longest tenured Titan at the position.
Not only does the turnover impact this race, but basic roster management comes into play here, too. The Titans have some major question marks along the offensive line, at linebacker, and how they plan to deploy their defensive backs. Factor in special teams, and every decision they make has an impact on another position. Do you keep an extra offensive lineman because you’re concerned about your depth there? Does the fact that Chris Jackson can play safety -or- cornerback allow you to open up a spot for 6th receiver? Those sorts of questions – it feels like there are more of them this offseason than there were last offseason, and it could impact this race at wide receiver.
So, I wanted to look at this receiving corps, and think out loud about where each guy stands heading into training camp. I’ve divvied ’em up between locks, bubble guys, and long shots. Each is listed in alphabetical order under his respective category. LFG.
Locks
Treylon Burks – One of the two most obvious locks for this year, Burks was drafted to be this team’s top wideout, and he will get every chance in the world to do so. I don’t need to waste anymore words explaining this one.
Kyle Philips – I’m putting Philips in the ‘lock’ category not just because he was a draft pick, but because he brings a certain skill set to the position that the Titans haven’t had since Adam Humphries was at his best. That works in his favor for a team that values its chain-movers.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine – If you want more NWI content, check out this appreciation post I penned about him last week. As for why I think he’s a lock, well, he does a lot of different things well. He’s capable of filling any role they need him to, he’s a special teamer, and this coaching staff loves him. He’s shown steady improvement throughout the trajectory of his career, so I don’t expect him to lose his spot this summer.
Robert Woods – One of the best, if not the best, run-blocking wide receiver in the league. The Titans value that, and he brings a wealth of experience to the position. I don’t see them abandoning this project any time soon.
The Bubble
Dez Fitzpatrick – Here’s where things get a little more interesting. The Titans will have to decide between experience and potential for a few guys, Fitzpatrick being one of them. He’s had a good summer so far, but whether or not that’s a bit of fool’s gold remains to be seen. Jon Robinson liked him enough to trade up for him in 2021, but he proved willing to cut bait last summer when we thought Fitzpatrick might not even make the roster. I love Fitzpatrick’s potential, but he needs to get there sooner rather than later.
Cody Hollister – I’m putting Hollister on the bubble because he’s hung around this roster long enough for me to realize that this coaching staff really likes him. He’s going to push for a roster spot, and honestly, I think he could be that surprise guy who sneaks onto the back end of the roster and steals that spot from whoever we decide our camp darling is.
Josh Malone – It was steady all throughout mini-camp. Maybe it wasn’t flashy, but every day, it felt like there was a new Josh Malone highlight, or someone was remarking on how good he looked. There’s a little bit of momentum going for Malone right now, and if he can carry that into training camp, he could be a guy to watch.
Racey McMath – McMath has the physical gifts and athletic traits to play wide receiver in the league. He adds value as a special teamer, but it’s not like he undeniably earned a roster spot in 2022 given how he played in stretches during 2021. I still think there’s a ton of potential with McMath, but like Fitzpatrick, it’s time to start gettin’ there sooner rather than later.
The Longshots
Mason Kinsey – Kinsey is a shifty receiver in that “chain-mover” mold, but he never solidified a spot above the practice squad in 2021, and the drafting of Kyle Philips certainly makes it even harder for him to carve out a role in this offense in 2022.
Brandon Lewis – Lewis is a guy to watch of the UDFA crowd for his explosiveness in the open field, and his added value as a potential return man. But, there are questions about his size, as he certainly doesn’t fit the bill of what the Titans typically look for in a receiver.
Reggie Roberson, Jr. – He’s a real dark horse in this race. He could’ve easily been drafted, but lands in Nashville as an UDFA. Roberson has legitimate deep threat potential, and that could prove to be too tempting for the Titans to pass up.
Final prediction – They keep six: Burks, Woods, NWI, Philips, Fitzpatrick, and McMath. I know everyone’s leaning Malone right now, but I want to see how the summer plays out. I still think McMath’s athleticism and his appeal on special teams will earn him the final spot. I’m also leaning Fitzpatrick based on the reports that came out during mini-camp that he looked much improved and was getting a decent workload. I don’t know how much stock any of us should really put into that, but I don’t see anyone behind him beating him given those context clues. How do we feel about that being the Titans receiving corps in 2022? Well, that’s a different discussion for a different day.
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Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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