Tennessee Titans: Free Agency Wish List

Taylor Gabriel, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Taylor Gabriel fits the exact mold of what Jon Robinson looks for in free agency. Gabriel is an explosive player who has shown some flashes of his potential, but he has never been able to put it together for a full season. He is going into his sixth year in the league, and will likely be looking for his first ‘big contract’ in free agency. The receiver’s upcoming free agency situation is reminiscent of Rishard Matthews’ situation only two years ago.

Young, unproven, but talented. Those are the underlying factors among Gabriel and Matthews’ careers at that specific stage of their respective careers. Both players went into free agency never having reached 50 catches or coming close to gaining 1,000 yards in a season.

All Matthews needed was an opportunity in the right system, and he responded with 65 catches and 945 yards in 2016. That’s the same spike in production Gabriel can have, if he’s in the right situation.

With the Tennessee Titans needing some explosive weapons in their offense, Gabriel would fit in perfectly. You don’t draft Corey Davis fifth overall to sign big name receivers over him. What you do is line Davis up outside and surround him with pieces that complement him. Signing an outside receiver like Allen Robinson could hinder his development, but adding a slot receiver as explosive as Gabriel could wind up opening things up for the former Western Michigan Bronco.

Gabriel would not only help outside pass catchers like Davis, but could make things a lot easier on Marcus Mariota. Having those kinds of playmakers out by the hashes are great, but why not have a weapon who can take a quick dunk and take it the distance at any given opportunity? This is what Kendall Wright was supposed to be during his time with the team.

Due to the eerily similar situations between Gabriel and Matthews in free agency, I thought it would make sense to give him the same deal Matthews got when the team signed him away from Miami.

Potential Contract: 3 Years, $15 Million