Realistic expectations for Titans pass-catchers in 2020
By Brady Akins
Corey Davis
2019 Stats: 43 Catches, 69 Targets, 601 Yards, 2 Touchdowns
2020 Prediction: 55 Catches, 86 Targets, 739 Yards, 6 Touchdowns
I’m about to say some nice things about Corey Davis, so let me get the standard disclaimer out of the way. Yes, he was the fifth overall pick. Yes, a career-high of 891 receiving yards for the fifth overall pick is not ideal. But nothing about Davis’ draft status should diminish from the talented player that he is.
The issue with Davis’ game has never been talent, but rather, his ability to consistently showcase that talent. He’ll have games where he looks like the star player he was drafted to be, only to follow it up with a game where you forget he’s on the field.
But there are a couple of factors working in Davis’ favor for 2020, which I think will boost his numbers a bit when he takes the field next year. The biggest one being, with AJ Brown now on the roster, Davis will no longer carry the pressure of being the team’s WR1. While Brown is attracting attention from the opposing defense, Davis will be placed against weaker defenders.
The second big factor for Davis’ improvement will be bringing back Ryan Tannehill under center. Having his consistency as an accurate passer should help Davis find some consistency of his own. Plus, it’s not just AJ Brown benefitting from a play-action heavy passing attack. The entire cast of Titans receivers should reap the benefits of the extra attention Derrick Henry brings to the running game.
Don’t expect fifth-overall numbers from Davis, but look for him to show improvements across the board in his receiving stats.