Almost a year ago to this day, the Titans claimed they were “satisfied” with their group of wide receivers heading into the 2023 season. Two months later, the team decided to augment the group with the acquisition of veteran free agent DeAndre Hopkins. Still, the team finished 29th in the NFL in passing yards last year, leading to lots of investment in a new wide receiving corps. 
Hopkins did his job. In 17 games, he led the team in all receiving categories with 75 catches for 1,057 yards, and seven touchdowns. He didn’t have much help, though, as his 137 targets were more than three times higher than the next most-targeted wideout, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (45), though tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo (77) and running back Tyjae Spears (70) received their fair share of targets.
The rest of the wide receiving corps provided nothing more than auxiliary numbers. After Hopkins, the next leading receivers were 30-year-old Chris Moore (22 receptions/424 yards/zero touchdowns), the undrafted Westbrook-Ihkine (28/370/3), and finally, former first-round pick Treylon Burks (16/221/0).
Burks experienced a bit of sophomore slump in 2023, even after putting up middling stats (33/444/1) in his rookie season. In both seasons, Burks has missed six contests with injury. His rookie year, turf toe landed him on injured reserve. This past season, an LCL sprain caused him to miss even more time.
Burks opportunity to turn things around in 2024 will be difficult in Tennessee. Though Moore has departed in free agency, Hopkins and Westbrook-Ikhine return next season. Additionally, the Titans invested massive capital in signing free agents Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd. Not only is this group a massive improvement over last year’s, but Hopkins also claims this is one of the best wide receiving corps he’s ever been a part of, per Michael David Smith of NBC Sports. That’s big praise for someone who shared the field with Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk.
With Ridley, Hopkins, and Boyd manning the first-team offense and Westbrook-Ikhine showing more reliability in 2023 than Burks, the 24-year-old out of Arkansas will struggle to see much of the field this year. Even if he does get some snaps, he’s going to have to earn targets over those four, as well. It’s starting to seem that if Burks is going to turn things around, it will require a change of scenery.
Before last year’s trade deadline, the Titans made it clear that running back Derrick Henry and Hopkins were not available. They were more receptive to hearing offers on Burks but were not necessarily inclined to move a young, former Day 1 pick. One has to imagine that, with the additions of Ridley and Boyd, their stances may have changed.
Tennessee is likely not going to fetch a first-round value out of Burks like what Baltimore got out of Marquise Brown a couple years ago, but some teams may still see the potential value in acquiring the sixth receiver off the board in the 2022 NFL Draft. Even if they aren’t quite satisfied with the offers they receive for Burks, his value is likely only going to decline in 2024, barring a shocking breakout season.
As for teams with wide receiver needs following the draft and free agency, the Ravens, Bills, Chargers, Steelers, and Jets could all stand to take a swing. The Bills and Chargers probably house the biggest need. With Buffalo losing both Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis this offseason, Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel, and rookie second-round pick Keon Coleman lead their room. After losing star veterans Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, Los Angeles is depending on Josh Palmer, last year’s first-round pick Quentin Johnston, and second-round rookie Ladd McConkey in 2024.
The Steelers (George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Roman Wilson) and Jets (Garrett Wilson, Williams, Malachi Corley) are each relying on a dynamic, young talent, an intriguing free agent, and a third-round rookie, while Baltimore could be looking to add another pass catcher to replace Odell Beckham Jr.‘s production from last year.
The Titans should have some options if they feel the need to move Burks or if Burks feels the need to request a change of scenery. Either way, it’s hard to see a situation in which Burks finds tremendous success as WR4 or WR5 on a Tennessee offense quarterbacked by Will Levis. If Burks wants to turn his career around and if the team wants to maximize his value, a move might be necessary this offseason or before the next trade deadline.
He’s just not a good fit so far. I think Mike McDaniel or Andy Reid could use him in offense packages better
Being in Nashville, I’ve watched this guy be unprepared, overweight and flat out unfocused from the start. I can’t imagine any team, who does an ounce of research, giving the Titans more than a bag of peanuts for for him.
I was surprised by the selection-I thought that Burks had potential as a possession receiver, which are going put of vogue these days. Paired with Brown or a number one with some speed, ge could have been a good big body target I thought, but perhaps not a number one on his own.
Sadly for the Titans, the offensive line broke down, Henry got hurt, and the offense sputtered. The passing game as a whole suffered dramatically. Burks certainly wasn’t going to be enough to carry it, even if he reached the potential that I thought he had. I think that he was an overdraft in the first round as is. He still has some potential as a possession guy, but when your team brings in three veteran free agents, none of whom are young, to make up for your lack of production, it’s not a good look.
The Steelers have been looking for WR help that won’t break the bank. Burks is young, and despite his flaws, is still a former 1st round pick with size. Would they make move? Would the Chiefs want more insurance after Rice (despite Burks’ lack of speed, which they seem to favor)? Would Buffalo, after spending a pick on a possession target in Coleman want to try and reset Burks? It’s possible, but it’s hard to see Burks’ value building in Tennessee barring a major injury.
Well said. It’s a big head scratcher. Burks college tape was pretty solid and that means something he played against top tier SEC defenses and had huge plays
Maybe a bag of paper clips and a scratch off $1 lotto ticket. One man’s trash….
One injury away from getting another(thats 3) look…..
I don’t Titans don’t really make my watchable game list each week, but is Burks really that bad?!
He had beat up Tannehill, then Willis who is a developmental guy, and Levis.
Wouldn’t expect the Chargers to buy a 2nd WR from the 1st round that’s a flop. Putting a 1st & a 1st on the field doesn’t equal 2 hands that might make a catch. Although super glue might help
@JO.2 especially because they might’ve to cut chark, or trade palmer. I don’t think Johnson will be able to be placed on the practice squad
“Trade” candidate? They misspelled “cut.”
He’s still cheap, so if Tennessee doesn’t trade Burks, I doubt that he gets cut this year. I could be wrong, but for that price, the Titans may as well keep him as a backup/depth option to ride out the year. They’ll likely dangle him at the deadline to entice some team with injuries to attempt a trade.
Definitely could use a change of scenery. He’s good but they don’t throw him the ball enough or get him involved when he is healthy. And he does have to stay healthy but he’s had a couple of concussions too.
I don’t think the Titans got any kind of upgrade with Boyd. His production has declined each year since he was a 1000 yard receiver in 2019. Perhaps one of their rookies can be a surprise sleeper.
I like Boyd, and I think that he’s good in his role, but I’m inclined to agree. It seems that Burks could have-or should have-been able to take that possession/third receiver role and try to grow. I suppose Boyd’s familiarity with Callahan made a big difference…or the Titans are as low on Burks as it appears.
Declining stats…The Bengals kept drafting huge talent. JaMarr Chase and Tee Higgins are both #1 receivers. Tyler Boyd is not a #1 but on most teams would be a valued #2.
I wouldn’t mind the Saints giving Burks a chance.
I think the Saints are set with Shaheed as their slot WR. The Rams have 3 rookies competing behind Kupp so I could see them maybe taking a look at Burks.