As we slowly creep towards the beginning of Tennessee Titans training camp on July 28, we’re going to be previewing every position group.
Next up is the wide receivers.
Let’s take a look at which players are locks to make the roster, which ones are on the bubble, and then we’ll make a prediction for which receivers are going to make the initial 53-man roster.
Roster locks
A.J. Brown
Corey Davis
Adam Humphries
Kalif Raymond
Analysis for Brown, Davis and Humphries: While the Titans’ top-three receivers don’t have a ton to work on, it’ll be important to see both Humphries and Davis improve their chemistry with Ryan Tannehill.
More specifically, Davis and Tannehill didn’t seem to be on the same page at certain points during the season. Thankfully, unlike last year, Tannehill will have a full training camp with the starters, and the signal-caller has already mentioned his desire to work on chemistry with Davis.
We already know the chemistry between Tannehill and Brown is strong, but the Titans are going to need more from the guys around their former second-round pick, with opposing defenses likely to focus in on him more in 2020.
Analysis for Raymond: While the first three receivers are a given, there can be some debate about who will fill in after Brown, Davis and Humphries. However, in my opinion, Raymond is as close to a lock as one can get.
The Titans are going to need a deep threat to stretch the field in 2020, and Raymond has already proven capable of being that guy. Four of Raymond’s 10 catches (including playoffs) went for 32 yards or more, the biggest of which came in the playoffs against the Baltimore Ravens.
With his ability to stretch the field and impact the return game, only injury can stop Kalif Raymond from making the initial 53-man roster.
On the bubble
Cameron Batson
Rashard Davis
Cody Hollister
Trevion Thompson
Mason Kinsey (UDFA)
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (UDFA)
Kristian Wilkerson (UDFA)
Kyle Williams (UDFA)
Analysis for Batson: We’re going to single out Batson here, as he’s the favorite to emerge from this group and make the initial 53-man squad thanks to having more NFL experience than the rest of the wide receivers combined.
Batson played in 11 games for the Titans in 2018 before missing the entire 2019 season. The Titans used him on offense, but also as a punt returner, which adds to his value and gives him an upper-hand to make the cut.
Head coach Mike Vrabel always preaches the importance of familiarity, and Batson has the edge in that department over his competition for one of the bottom spots on the depth chart at the position.
Analysis for the rest: As we already stated, there isn’t a lot of experience in this group overall. Aside from Batson, only Hollister and Davis have suited up in an NFL game.
Because of that, the competition to fill out the bottom of the wide receiver depth chart is going to be very unpredictable.
The Titans have some intriguing UDFAs, including Kinsey, who posted video game numbers in college, and Westbrook, who posted a big 2016 season at Indiana before missing all of the 2017 campaign and seeing limited production in the years that followed.
Initial 53-man roster prediction
In 2019, the Titans carried six receivers on their initial 53-man roster. For this prediction, we’re going to assume that will be the case again this year.
Here’s a look at a prediction for which receivers will make the roster.
| WR1 | A.J. Brown |
| WR2 | Corey Davis |
| WR3 | Adam Humphries |
| WR4 | Kalif Raymond |
| WR5 | Cameron Batson |
| WR6 | Mason Kinsey |
Raymond and Batson figure to be factors in the return game on top of their receiver duties. From there, it’s anyone’s guess who fills-in at the last spot, but Kinsey is a personal favorite of mine, so I’m going with him.
