Jim Wyatt’s prediction for Tennessee Titans wide receivers targets

Jim Wyatt broke down the Tennessee Titans targets order for 2017.

Jim Wyatt, the Senior Writer and Editor of Titans Online and a former outstanding Tennessee Titans beat writer for The Tennessean, recently joined ESPN’s Mike Clay on Sirius XM. The guest spot from Wyatt shouldn’t be much of a surprise, as Clay has turned into Titans fans’ favorite outside analyst this offseason.

Many topics were discussed, but perhaps the most notable were the wide receivers.

First, Wyatt predicted that Rishard Matthews would once again lead the Titans wide receivers in targets. The Titans have made numerous additions to the wide receiver corps, but Matthews is coming off a career-year and deserves the opportunity to follow up his stellar first season in Nashville with another one.

Then came a bit of a shock.

We know all about the impression that Taywan Taylor has left on Titans coaches and players since joining the team earlier this offseason, but I don’t think there’s more than a handful of people who believe that he’ll out-target the fifth overall pick in this year’s draft in their shared rookie seasons. One way this situation could play out is if the team takes it slow with Corey Davis, who’s coming off major ankle surgery but appears 100% in practice. If the coaches elect to bring him along slowly, Taylor could get off to a hot start as a dynamic opposite to Matthews and Eric Decker.

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Speaking of Decker, the Titans’ newest addition, Wyatt believes him and Taylor will take on a similar workload. Wyatt’s predicted breakdown of the Titans receivers in terms of “target priority” might go something like this.

1) Rishard Matthews

2a) Eric Decker

2b) Taywan Taylor

4) Corey Davis

Matthews and Decker are expected to be Marcus Mariota’s main targets, but Taylor being involved probably wasn’t the plan for many Titans fans, particularly at the expense of Davis. Of course, these are only projections, but Wyatt is always plugged in and on the money when it comes to the Titans. I want to see Davis play often and dominate as much as anyone, but the players who show the most in practice and on the field will be given priority when it comes time for the games.

In no way is this to say that Davis won’t contribute in his first season. Davis will be counted on for big plays in the air and after the catch, but his development and return from injury will be tracked slowly. The Titans roster and depth at wide receiver has allowed the team to take this approach. That’s something we haven’t been able to say for a long time.

If I were to predict how the Titans’ targets would pan out throughout the season, I think the only thing I would change is Davis over Taylor. Matthews was great last season and has developed a strong rapport with Mariota. Decker will quickly gain Mariota’s confidence and become his favorite target over the middle of the field and in the red zone. Davis might start slow, but he’s going to show off his talent a bunch of times throughout the year. I think Taylor will be a chess piece in certain sets and provide mismatches against whoever lines up opposite him.

Do you agree with Wyatt’s projected targets breakdown or do you think it will pan out differently? Let us know in the comments below!