Reinforcements – Who The Tennessee Titans Could Target To Replace Treylon Burks

The Tennessee Titans were in Minnesota to participate in joint practices with the Minnesota Vikings this week.

From the onset, it seemed like the Titans were the better team, having their way on defense and offense. The wideouts for the Titans were getting whatever they wanted and looked like a much improved group.

One of the names that is gaining buzz is second-year receiver Treylon Burks, who was having a stellar offseason. Burks went down during Day 2 of joint practices on what seemed like a routine deep route but came up hobbled.

Burks was carted off the field and evaluated for a lower leg injury. The Titans received bittersweet news as they were informed that Burks will miss at least two weeks with a LCL Sprain.

Though they dodged a bullet, the Titans will now have to find a replacement or at least have a plan in place in case Burks is not able to go Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints.

Here are some options that could help fill the void at receiver until Burks is able to return:

 

Internal Candidates

The Titans could look in house to find a viable replacement for Burks. Nicholas Westbrook-Ikhine has been good in spot-fill duty over the years but they also have a young crop of talent on the roster to choose from now.

Chris Moore is the most qualified candidate to start alongside new addition DeAndre Hopkins. Moore was signed after a stint with the Houston Texans in which he tallied 69 receptions, 775 yards, and four touchdowns in two seasons.

He has had a strong camp, so strong that he is a popular pick to make the initial 53-man roster. If he continues to play well throughout the preseason, he would be the best internal option.

The other side of this is the undrafted free agent receivers that are on the roster. Kearis Jackson, Gavin Holmes and Tre’Shaun Harrison have all had solid camps and showings during the offseason.

Jackson, a former 1000-yard receiver at Georgia, has been a solid pair of hands and offers special teams impact as well. Harrison and Holmes are both speedsters that offer threats outside the numbers.

Harrison fits more as an outside receiver than Holmes but both can be productive in that role. They are long shots but have made splashes in limited action that could warrant them earning a bigger role in Burks’ absence.

 

Marcus Johnson

The Titans could look to this familiar face to fill the spot. Johnson played for the Titans in 2021 where he totaled nine receptions for 106 yards before being placed on injured reserve.

The 6’1” 207lb. receiver provides a viable deep threat with good speed and solid hands. He has been a journeyman of sorts in his career but showed flashes of being a productive receiver.

Tennessee may only need the extra body for two games and could sign Johnson with little liability if they need to cut ties.

 

Antonio Calloway

Antonio Calloway was a highly touted receiver at one point coming out of Florida. After a short stint with the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins he is now a free agent.

Calloway is just 23 years old, and even though he hasn’t been very productive the last two seasons, he has some promise. He is a route technician with good speed. His only issue is that his hands are below average. Tennessee has done well with developing receivers under position coach Rob Moore, which could help Calloway.

 

Kenny Golladay

Maybe the most “non-Titan” player available is 29-year old veteran Kenny Golladay.

Golladay,who spent two seasons with the New York Giants is now a free agent. He has all the natural ability you could want and was once considered a top 10 receiver. He has deep ball skills and can run every route on the route tree. He has had some durability issues in the past but for a fill in that won’t be an issue.

If he shows that he can still play at a high level as well as stay relatively healthy he could boost his chances of signing with another team. The Titans also get a threat that allows the offense to flourish without a hitch. It’s a win-win situation.

 

Jarvis Landry

Landry may be the most accomplished free agent available at the receiver position. He has been consistently productive throughout his career and can play multiple roles in an offense.

Landry has had two down years due to injuries but can still produce. The 30-year old receiver could help Tennessee in the absence of Burks and also has some staying power.

Kenny Phillips has made an effort to become more durable but having a guy like Landry could be an insurance policy if he misses time. Landry isn’t an “outside” receiver but can play outside the numbers if needed. He still has some of the best hands in the league and would help the Titans level out the receiver position.

Landry was tied to the Titans in 2019 when he was trying to get out of Miami and is once again an option for the franchise.