Tennessee Titans 2016 Season Grades: Wide Receivers

Next up in the grading system for the 2016 season are the wide receivers.

If you don’t think the Tennessee Titans need to add a big time, playmaking receiver this offseason, then just check out these grades for the group in 2016.

Rishard Matthews

In the first year of a three year, $15 million contract, Matthews made sure to make every other team regret not giving him a sniff. Matthews posted career highs in in the three big receiving categories: 65 receptions, 945 yards, and nine touchdowns. Through the first four weeks, it was fair to wonder why Matthews was only being used sparingly. He had caught only 12 passes through the quarter mark of the season, but a visit to his former stomping ground in Miami turned his season around. He caught all nine of his touchdowns through the final 12 games of the season. He became Marcus Mariota’s most trusted friend in the red zone and for first downs. Matthews converted 43 of his 65 catches into first downs in his breakout season. I can sit here and rave about how good Matthews was in his first year in Tennessee, but instead I’ll just fantasize about how good he’ll be in year two.

Grade: A-

Tajae Sharpe

Sharpe came in as a 21 year old, fifth round rookie and won a starting job right out of training camp. It seemed like he was on his way to being the Titans’ top receiver, especially after accumulating 157 yards on 14 catches through the first three games of the season. But he completely fade after that quick start. He failed to get open consistently, which resulted in a lot of his targets being contested and falling incomplete. He had a nice stretch during the middle of the season, racking up 194 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 catches from Week Nine to Eleven. Overall, though, he was inconsistent in his first NFL season. He corralled just 41 of his 83 targets; a 49.4% catch rate just won’t cut it. He’ll need to work on getting open more frequently so that he can make easier catches in the future. He has the ability to be a solid No. 3 guy.

Grade: C+

Kendall Wright

Not surprisingly, Wright’s career in Tennessee culminated with a season marred by injuries and benchings. Wright missed five games due to healthy and unhealthy scratches, yet he was still the Titans’ third best wide receiver in terms of yardage. He was the Titans’ lone deep threat and explosive downfield target. Matthews caught his fair share of deep balls, but he isn’t the burner that Wright can be. Wright only had four games over 50 receiving yards, but he made all of his receptions count. He finished with a 14.3 yards per reception average and had long receptions of 48, 36, and 48 in three different games. It was never a smooth time with Wright in Tennessee, but the Titans will need to replace his explosiveness this offseason.

Grade: B-

Harry Douglas

Why Douglas is still on the team is beyond me, but since he is, we must grade him. He can’t get open, he doesn’t really highpoint the ball, but he does catch the ball when it’s thrown his way. He also has an uncanny ability to draw pass interference penalties against the defense. It makes no sense, but he always gets the calls and it benefits the offense. Set to make $3.75 million next season, Douglas is one of the better bets to get cut.

Grade: C

Andre Johnson

Johnson retired midseason, but one of his nine catches in eight games was a game winning catch on fourth and five against the Detroit Lions in Week Two so he gets a perfect grade.

Grade: A+

Home/Titans News