Tennessee Titans second-year tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo is coming off a strong rookie campaign in which he recorded 32 receptions for 450 yards, three touchdowns, and an overall grade of 75.4 (PFF), all of which was ranked No. 1 amongst his rookie peers.
The Maryland product was especially impressive to close out the year, with Chig totaling more than half his receptions and two of his touchdowns over the last five weeks of the season.
On top of separating himself from the majority of the rookie class, Chig’s numbers also held their own against the top players at his position, albeit in a much smaller sample size.
Chiggy Okonkwo among 47 qualified TE in 2022 (PFF)
PFF receiving grade: 84.6 (No. 2)
Yards per route run: 2.61 (No. 1)
Yards per reception: 14 (No. 1)
YAC per reception: 7.8 (tied for No. 2)
Targets per route run: 26.2% (No. 2)
Passer rating when targeted: 125.1 (No. 7)— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) June 7, 2023
When you combine all of these facts, it becomes rather apparent that the Titans could have something special on their hands, with Chig looking the part of a budding superstar at the tight end position.
Chigoziem Okonkwo pic.twitter.com/JSFfiTmKjX
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) June 7, 2023
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report certainly agrees. The B/R analyst named Okonkwo as the Titans’ ‘most promising building block heading into 2023’.
Here is what Ballentine had to say about Chig:
Tight end can be a notoriously difficult position for a rookie. There aren’t a lot of first year tight ends that end up making an impact because they have to learn how to block at the next level while also adjusting to getting open against NFL defenders.
So when fourth-round pick Chigoziem Okonkwo had more receiving yards (450) than first-round pick Treylon Burks (444) while playing fewer snaps it’s noteworthy.
Okonkwo’s role and production only got better as the season went on. From Weeks 1-10, he only had one game in which he had more than one reception. In Weeks 11-18, he only had one game with just one catch.Okonkwo showed his 4.52 speed can translate into getting open and making plays in the league. He was fourth among all tight ends in receptions of 20 yards or more with 14 despite seeing just 46 targets on the year.
The Titans’ tight end appears destined for a breakout season as long as he can stay on the field. As of right now, the entirety of Tennessee’s passing attack will largely revolve around himself and fellow sophomore, Treylon Burks.
If that does end up being the case this fall, it’s a safe bet that Okonkwo will be more than up for the challenge.
