One of the Tennessee Titans’ biggest needs going into the 2024 offseason is at the wide receiver position, where Tennessee will need to add at least two impact players.
Tennessee’s best wide receiver by far in 2023 was easily DeAndre Hopkins, who played a key role in the development of quarterback Will Levis as his trusted No. 1 target.
Despite doubts about his viability at 31 years old, Hopkins looked very much like the star receiver we’ve seen during his career.
DHop finished with a team-high 1,057 receiving yards and seven scores, which is made more impressive by the fact that he got off to a slow start, combined with Tennessee’s offensive line being abysmal.
On the flip side, second-year wide receiver Treylon Burks was a major disappointment. On top of injury issues, Burks didn’t do much when he was on the field, finishing with just 221 receiving yards and no scores.
Now, a look at who’s under contract, who’s a pending free agent and what the Titans’ specific needs are at the position going into the offseason.
Note: Contract information is courtesy of Over the Cap.
Who's under contract?
Under contract: DeAndre Hopkins, Treylon Burks, Kyle Philips, Colton Dowell, Kearis Jackson, Mason Kinsey, Tre’Shaun Harrison
Keeping Hopkins is a no-brainer, as he’s shown he still has plenty left in the tank and he’ll provide some stability for Levis in his second season.
However, it remains unclear if he wants to stay for what will be a rebuild. If he doesn’t, the Titans will almost certainly oblige and either cut or trade him. Assuming he remains, Hopkins will enter 2024 as WR1 on the depth chart.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much beyond Hopkins for the Titans to rely on.
After another disappointing season, Burks can’t be relied upon as anything more than a No. 3 receiver — and that might be asking too much. Preferably, he enters 2024 as the No. 4 and ends up exceeding expectations en route to improving his stock that is currently in the toilet.
I’ve seen some people discuss trading him this offseason, but it’s doubtful the Titans will get anything more than a late-round pick. If that’s the case, the Titans are better off sticking it out.
Kyle Philips showed some flashes and chemistry with Levis in Year 2, but he wasn’t utilized enough and was a healthy scratch down the stretch because of special teams.
Hopefully the new coaching staff doesn’t make the same mistake and gives him a shot at a role as the slot guy, although he shouldn’t be viewed as anything more than a No. 4 or 5.
Guys like Dowell, Harrison, Jackson and Kinsey will all be training camp bodies competing for a roster spot if they stick until then.
Jackson has the most value thanks to his ability as a returner. Dowell offers special teams value, also, but his status for the start of the season is in doubt after he suffered a torn ACL late in the season.
Who's a pending free agent?
Pending free agents: Chris Moore, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
Moore was about what we expected him to be. The veteran wideout finished with the third-most receiving yards (424) on the team and was the best deep threat by far.
Westbrook-Ikhine was solid after tallying 370 yards and three scores while once forced into a bigger role than he’s suited for. NWI provides value as a blocker and on special teams.
Both players are solid options as bottom-of-the-depth-chart receivers, but nothing more. Neither one is a must to bring back, although it wouldn’t be surprising to see either return.
If I had to choose one to bring back — and I think one, at most, will ultimately be retained — it would no doubt be Moore, who is the far superior playmaker.
Biggest needs
Biggest needs: WR2, WR3 (AND SPEED)
Assuming DHop is back, the Titans need a No. 2 and No. 3 option. If the veteran wideout doesn’t return, that will leave a big hole at the top of the depth chart for Tennessee to fill.
But simply adding a pair of upgrades behind Hopkins isn’t enough. The Titans need to prioritize adding receivers with speed and separation ability, two issues that have plagued the team for several seasons now.
Ideally, the Titans add one veteran receiver in free agency, and another with one of their top-40 draft picks to give some much-needed help for Levis. At the very least, one of those players needs to have deep-threat ability.
If the Titans’ wide receivers room looks something like this when the 2024 campaign begins, I’ll be happy:
WR1: DeAndre Hopkins
WR2: Veteran free agent
WR3: Top-40 draft pick
WR4: Treylon Burks
WR5: Kyle Philips
WR6: Chris Moore
