Heading into the most recent offseason, it was identified as a position of great need, but don’t tell the Tennessee Titans that. Whenever anyone talks to anyone in the organization about the two-tone blue’s receiving corps or their passing attack, there doesn’t seem to be the same panic that we’ve often seen from the fans or some of the media.
The Titans lost Corey Davis and tight end Jonnu Smith due to salary cap concerns, and with them, went a ton of production from this team’s passing game. Adding Marcus Johnson and extending tight ends Anthony Firkser and Geoff Swaim didn’t seem to ease the tension. Neither did a March 18th signing of Josh Reynolds.
If you weren’t concerned about the Titans’ weapons at that time. You definitely joined in the discussion when they waited until Round 4 to add one during the most recent NFL Draft. The theory that the one they got, Dez Fitzpatrick, was a reach at the 109th-overall selection didn’t help matters either.
Are you ready for a bold statement? Here are two. One, relax and breathe. Second, this receiving corps is better than you think. Tennessee’s crop of pass-catchers is going to wind up in the top ten of all wide receiver units in 2021.
Yes Tennessee Titans fans, you read that correctly.
Okay, everyone just calm down because those of you who are thinking the following are correct. There’s absolutely no way to quantify what this unit will do from September to January while we’re still in the month of May (at the time of this story being published).
Here’s what we do know, however. A.J. Brown is one of the best at his position. His first two seasons have produced back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns, a Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team nod in 2019, and a Pro Bowl nomination in 2020. He isn’t going anywhere.
A.J. isn’t the only game in the Tennessee Titans’ town.
Dez Fitzpatrick doesn’t need to be ‘the guy’. He just needs to provide quality snaps. He’ll do that. Fitzpatrick wasn’t as highly touted as Davis when he came out of college, but he’s only an inch shorter. They’re also about the same body type at the 209-pound range and get this.
Fitzpatrick also posted the better 40-yard dash time coming out of college than the former Titans wideout (if you’re into that kind of thing). He ran a 4.43 compared to Davis’ 4.53.
Then, on top of all of that, you have to add Josh Reynolds to this mix. Tennessee also added a sixth-rounder that Titans fans should be discussing more, Racey McMath. The latter notched 33 receptions, 522 receiving yards, and four trips to the end zone despite sitting behind the likes of Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson and despite the fact that he only appeared in 18 games during his collegiate career.
Let’s restate. This Titans wide receiver corps will be fine. The franchise hasn’t worried at any point during the offseason. Neither should you. Expect to see some of Darrynton Evans in the passing game as well. Did you notice this? Pro Football Focus named Tennessee’s receiving corps as one of their top five units at the position in 2020. There’s no reason to expect that they won’t reach the top ten as far as production in 2021.