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Can Tennesse Titans Delanie Walker break Frank Wycheck’s record in ’19?

By Michael Moraitis

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 20: Delanie Walker #82 of the Tennessee Titans celebrates scoring a touchdown during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 20, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 20: Delanie Walker #82 of the Tennessee Titans celebrates scoring a touchdown during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 20, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker could be the all-time franchise leader in receiving yards at his position by the end of the 2019 season.

Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker doesn’t need validation for just how great his career has been with this franchise, but he is very close to adding another notch in his belt.

The franchise’s all-time leader in receiving yards at tight end is the great Frank Wycheck, who played nine seasons with the team, two of which were when the Titans were the Houston Oilers.

From 1995 to 2003, Wycheck compiled 4,958 receiving yards, the most for any tight end in franchise history, and the seventh most of any position. To this day, he is one of the most revered Oilers/Titans in the hearts and minds of fans.

The soon-to-be 35-year old veteran has played seven seasons in Tennessee and has totaled 4,208 yards through the air. Not to mention, Walker has gone from a good tight end to one of the league’s best in that span. He should be heading to Canton when his career is all said and done.

So, my quick math tells me he’s 751 yards away from breaking Wycheck’s mark.

As long as Walker stays healthy this season, Wycheck’s record is very much in reach. He might have passed it last season if not for suffering a broken ankle in Week 1. While there might be some concern about coming back from that injury, combined with his age, it isn’t smart to bet against Walker, as former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis told us.

Based on the fact that Walker totaled 800 yards or more from 2014 to 2017, it’s very feasible he gets it done in 2019. However, he’ll have more competition for targets than in most years, so reaching numbers that have become the norm for him might be a bit tougher.

Still, he’s quarterback Marcus Mariota’s favorite target and that will only benefit his chase. And, even if Walker falls short this season, he’ll have no problem reaching 4,959 in 2020, a season in which he’ll be in the last year of his contract.

No matter what the final outcome is, Walker is one of the great players in this franchise’s history and breaking Wycheck’s record will only instill that fact more.

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