8. Kalif Raymond, WR
Raymond is a really interesting projection here because he is like a set of jumper cables. You don’t need them often, but if you didn’t have them you would be in a lot of trouble.
Similarly, Raymond isn’t a guy who should be asked to do a lot of different things for the Titans but when he gets open deep for a long play it helps open up the offense for the rest of the game. Importantly, he isn’t a receiver that is ever going to draw the other team’s best cornerback, so while someone like A.J. Brown or Corey Davis can make big plays down the field, having an under the radar receiver who can smoke bad coverage is huge.
It also shouldn’t be dismissed that Raymond is currently the punt and kick returner for the Titans and that added versatility really helps his case to stay on the roster going forward.
The reason he is so low on this list is that I don’t know if he is a product of this offense or if he is someone who makes plays on his own. What I mean is, if he wants $5 million next season is he worth the extra $4 million over a speed demon on Day 3 of the 2021 NFL Draft?
With the cap situation looming large, pinching pennies is going to be important and that $4 million may be the difference in being able to persude someone to stay/come to Tennessee, or seeing them go to a team like the Colts or Texans.