Wide receiver Corey Davis will embark upon the biggest year of his career in 2020 as he prepares to hit free agency in 2021 after the Tennessee Titans declined his fifth-year option earlier in the offseason.
Now more than ever, the former No. 5 overall pick is hungry to put up big numbers this season and is focused on not dwelling on the past.
#Titans' Corey Davis earlier this offseason said he wanted to “do numbers” this year. AKA more production. CD elaborated a bit today: “I’m definitely more hungry."
Biggest thing for CD: “Trying to get over being hard on myself,” he said. “Not harping on what I did in the past."
— Erik Bacharach (@ErikBacharach) September 1, 2020
Davis unexpectedly took a backseat to fellow wideout, A.J. Brown, in 2019, and he took a step back in production after posting career-highs in catches, yards and touchdowns in 2018.
One of the things that Davis has been lauded for during his three years in Nashville has been his blocking, which he says is all about effort. While he doesn’t exactly love it, he realizes how much his blocking helps the team.
#Titans' C. Davis: Blocking is all effort. Have to be willing to get down there and give it up for the team. Doesn't necessarily love it, but it helps the team.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) September 1, 2020
On top of not being too hard on himself, Davis is also working on improving his route-running and working back to the ball when it’s necessary to do so.
The common thread in talking to Mike Vrabel and Corey Davis about how 84 can become a more consistent player is DETAILS. Davis gave examples like working back to the ball and route running. He also said he has to stop being so hard on himself. #Titans
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) September 1, 2020
Overall, Davis feels he’s grown since his rookie season.
.@TheCDavis84: I feel like I've grown in a lot of areas since I came into the league. I am proud of that. My game looks a lot different than my rookie year. "I just have to keep running my race," he said.@TItans
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) September 1, 2020
One point of emphasis for Davis, along with the rest of the team’s receivers, is being able to perform late in games even when they’re tired.
#Titans' C. Davis: Says WRs have emphasized being "great when you're tired this season" because that's when games are won — in the fourth quarter.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) September 1, 2020
Throughout training camp, Davis has been getting a lot of looks over the middle of the field, something that wasn’t the case last season. We’ll see if Tennessee indeed utilizes him more there once the season starts.
Another big thing we’ve been keeping an eye on is the building of chemistry between Davis and quarterback Ryan Tannehill. From the looks of it, the pair has improved in that area after regularly connecting in practice.
One way or the other, the Titans have to get Davis more involved this season, especially when you consider Brown, is likely to see more attention from opposing defenses and will need someone to take the pressure off.
