One of the biggest areas of focus for the Tennessee Titans this offseason will be at the wide receiver position, where the team struggled mightily during the 2022 campaign.
Tennessee’s unit was one of the worst in the NFL, as the group simply couldn’t create separation, while also struggling with drops.
The poster child for both of those issues was veteran Robert Woods, who still somehow managed to lead the team in receiving with 527 yards. To be fair, Woods was coming off a torn ACL, so perhaps he wasn’t himself.
Just to further spell out how bad things were, Tennessee’s leader in receiving scores was running back Dontrell Hilliard, whose four paced the team despite him missing five games.
Looking ahead to 2023, the Titans must add talent to the position if they’re going to get their passing offense, which ranked 30th in the NFL in 2022, back on track.
Of course, simply improving wide receiver isn’t enough. The Titans also have to make a decision at quarterback, and they have to almost completely rebuild their offensive line.
We have already covered the quarterback situation, and we’ll be going over the offensive line in the coming days, so sit tight for that. For now, we’ll take a look at Tennessee’s situation at wide receiver and what we expect the team to do this offseason.
Who's under contract?
Robert Woods: $14.6 million cap hit
Treylon Burks: $3.2 million cap hit
Racey McMath: $982,000
Kyle Philips: $948,000
Mason Kinsey (futures): $750,000
Reggie Roberson (futures): $750,000
The big number here is Woods, who is set to make an untenable $14.6 million in 2023, making him a prime cut candidate.
I’m actually fine with the Titans bringing Woods back, as I think he has better football in him than what we saw in 2022, but it must be at a greatly reduced price (less than half that), and with the understanding he’ll be no better than the No. 3.
Who's a pending free agent?
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine: $895,000 cap hit in 2022
Cody Hollister: $895,000 cap hit in 2022
Hollister has found a way to stick in Nashville for four years now, and while I think he has a shot to find his way back to the practice squad in 2023 after competing in training camp, he shouldn’t be anywhere near the active roster at any point. If so, that means Tennessee is in big trouble once again.
Westbrook-Ikhine is a receiver I’d definitely consider keeping, but at a reduced role. NWI was often the No. 2 option in the offense last season, but in reality he’s better suited to be a No. 4 whose primary role is to block and play on special teams. Anything more than that and he’s overexposed.
NWI is a restricted free agent, which means the Titans have some control with him. I don’t see Tennessee simply letting him walk, but it wouldn’t shock me, either.
What the Titans will do
While it’s possible he stays, the Titans ultimately cut bait with Woods as they look for new, younger blood in the receiving corps.
At the very least, Tennessee will sign or trade for a veteran wide receiver, and then they’ll pick one on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL draft. It wouldn’t shock me at all if the Titans decide to grab three or four impact receivers in total, double-dipping in the draft and/or free agency.
Whatever they do, the Titans need to add both size and speed to the group.
As far as a trade for a veteran goes, the dream move would be for DeAndre Hopkins, but chances are the Titans won’t go that big and will opt to target lesser options in free agency, like Jakobi Meyers, DJ Chark, JuJu Smith-Schuster (I think he stays in KC) and Allen Lazard.
Certainly not sexy, but just keeping the expectations realistic here.
For those hoping the Titans go wideout in Round 1, I just don’t see that happening with the team’s more desperate need along the offensive line.
Adding to that, most teams believe the value at wide receiver comes in Round 2 and beyond, which means Tennessee can nab its left tackle of the future in Round 1 and still possibly land a top five or six wideout.
With those aforementioned moves, the Titans will have Burks, the veteran and the rookie, and then rounding out their corps. will be NWI, Philips and McMath. When you include tight end Chig Okonkwo, that’s a pretty solid group of pass-catchers and better than the one Tennessee had in 2022.
McMath will play that sporadic deep-threat role where you see him make a big catch every handful of weeks. He has potential in that role, but with a new general manager, the former sixth-round pick’s spot is not guaranteed.
The same can be said for Philips. That’s not to say I think Philips will be cut, but Ran Carthon won’t be married to him and he may have to battle for reps in the slot depending on who Tennessee brings in. I’m still very high on the UCLA product, so I think he carves out a role for himself no matter what.
Guys like Kinsey, Hollister and Roberson will all compete for the final spots on the 53-man roster, but chances are none of them will make the cut and one or two will end up back on the practice squad.
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