As we continue to inch closer to training camp, the next installment of our 2023 preview series for the Tennessee Titans comes at wide receiver, a position that has been a hot topic of conversation this offseason.
After having arguably the worst wide receiver corps. in the NFL in 2022, the Titans did basically nothing to address their issue in free agency and the draft. As a result, they’ve found a way to be worse off.
Tennessee rightly parted ways with their lackluster leading receiver from last season, Robert Woods, but only added Chris Moore and seventh-round pick, Colton Dowell, two additions that were hardly adequate for what this team really needed, which was a wide receiver who could make a sizeable, guaranteed impact.
The Titans still have an opportunity to improve the group in a big way with their pursuit of DeAndre Hopkins, but seemingly putting all their eggs in that basket is far too risky.
As we wait for Hopkins to make a decision, we can only preview the guys the Titans currently have on their offseason roster. Here’s a look at who the roster locks and players on the bubble are, as well as a look at the competitions set to take place and a 53-man prediction.
Roster locks
Roster locks: Treylon Burks, Kyle Philips, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Chris Moore
Barring a signing of Hopkins, Burks is easily the Titans’ No. 1 wide receiver going into 2023.
The 2022 first-round pick no doubt showed flashes during his rookie season, but he also missed six games due to injury, so the jury is still out on his ability to be the alpha receiver Tennessee needs.
The good news is, Burks has looked much more comfortable and in better shape this offseason, giving hope that the breakout campaign we’re all anticipating will come to fruition.
Philips was also hampered by injuries, appearing in just four games for the Titans during his rookie campaign.
We did get a taste of what the UCLA product is capable of, though, after he posted an impressive Week 1 showing in which he finished with six catches for 66 yards. Unfortunately, that’s about all we can hang our hats on right now.
Neither Westbrook-Ikhine nor Moore would typically be viewed as roster locks, but the lack of depth Tennessee has at receiver puts them in this position, and I don’t think that will change even if Hopkins comes to Nashville.
If the depth situation was better, they wouldn’t be listed here.
On the roster bubble
On the roster bubble: Colton Dowell, Reggie Roberson, Racey McMath, Mason Kinsey, Kearis Jackson (UDFA), Gavin Holmes (UDFA), Tre’Shaun Harrison (UDFA), Jacob Copeland (UDFA)
The players facing the biggest uphill climb of those on the bubble are the undrafted free agents. However, if there’s any team that presents a great opportunity for UDFA wideouts to make the cut, it’s the Titans.
Dowell, McMath, Kinsey and Roberson all have the edge over the UDFAs. McMath (14 career games) has the most actual game experience, Kinsey is entering his third season with the team and has three games under his belt, and Roberson has a full year of being on an NFL practice squad under his.
Dowell’s slight edge comes from the fact that he’s a 2023 draft pick who brings an intriguing skill set with him. However, seventh-round picks are never secure, although Tennessee’s current situation presents a better opportunity for him than most seventh-round picks have.
The competitions
The battle for No. 2
We already know Burks is the No. 1 wide receiver in this offense, but how the pecking order shakes out behind him remains to be seen. Battling for that No. 2 spot will be NWI, Moore and Philips.
In 2022, NWI had an opportunity to establish himself as a receiver capable of taking on a bigger rolewith how bad and injured Tennessee’s group was, but he was actually part of the problem with his inability to separate.
Moore has the second-best chance of the three listed above to grab a top-two role in this offense after posting a career-best season in a similarly terrible wide receiver situation in Houston.
However, Moore still didn’t crack 600 yards with the Texans and has shown he’s nothing more than a reserve player throughout his career, much like Westbrook-Ikhine.
Philips undoubtedly has the most upside but is a total wild card as an unproven second-year player coming off an injury-shortened rookie campaign.
But his impressive debut in 2022 leaves me hopeful he’s capable of taking the reins as an effective No. 2 option in the wide receiver pecking order.
The problem with Philips being the No. 2 is that he’s a slot receiver whose snaps may be dependent upon how many three-receiver sets Tennessee runs. Even still, if he’s effective, I’d imagine offensive coordinator Tim Kelly will figure out more ways to keep him involved, no matter the formation.
The battle for the other outside spot
With Philips being a slot receiver, the Titans still need to figure out who lines up on the other outside spot opposite Burks. That battle will be between NWI and Moore, and I think Moore is the better receiver and thus, the better bet to take this role.
However, it’s certainly possible we see a rotation between the two, with Moore seeing more action.
The battle for the bottom spots
With Burks, Philips, Moore and NWI figuring to take the top-four spots in some order, that leaves just bottom-of-the-depth-chart spots up for grabs for the roster bubble guys.
Whether that’s one, two or three spots remains to be seen, though. What we can say for sure is that the players vying for the final spots must show out on special teams, first and foremost.
McMath is the best bet to emerge thanks to his advantage in experience. He also offers versatility as a deep threat on offense and a contributor on special teams, both in coverage and in the return game.
That said, McMath has had issues staying healthy, so that will be something to monitor in his quest for a roster spot.
Like McMath, Dowell brings size, speed and impressive athleticism overall, three things this group desperately needs. He should also be a good special teams player, and has the wheels to be an effective return man.
While both have a better chance to make the roster than the UDFAs, Kinsey and Roberson will likely need an injury or Tennessee to carry a seventh receiver to make the cut.
They are, however, better bets to land on the practice squad than any of the UDFAs, but I don’t think the gap between Roberson and Kinsey and the undrafted rookies is that big.
53-man prediction
53-man prediction: Treylon Burks (WR1), Kyle Philips (WR2, slot), Chris Moore (WR3), Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (WR4), Racey McMath (WR5), Colton Dowell (WR6)
I think the Titans will carry six given the amount of uncertainties in this group, and it wouldn’t shock me to see them carry a seventh for the same reason. However, an addition of Hopkins would completely rule out a seventh being carried, and quite possibly a sixth.
As things stand now, Burks will be the top dog on the outside, with Philips being the No. 2 option out of the slot. I expect Moore to beat NWI out for the No. 3 job and outside spot opposite Burks, although there will likely be a healthy rotation between the two.
McMath and Dowell will assume the fifth and sixth spots on the depth chart and could serve as deep threats in the offense when needed.
But both will do most of their work on special teams, at least to start the season, and I expect them to vie for return roles on punts and kickoffs, also.
Outside of the No. 1 spot, I don’t think this pecking order is set in stone by any means. Any of the guys behind Burks could move up in the pecking order as the season progresses with how wide open things are.
