The Tennessee Titans are cleaning up on Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft and they have added another important depth piece to the offense.
UCLA’s Kyle Philips was the third-best receiver available entering the 4th round of the draft according to Dane Brugler, and the Tennessee Titans were able to snag him 60+ picks after the day started.
But he isn’t just a receiver…
Here’s what that means if you’re a Tennessee Titans fan
Philips was UCLA’s slot receiver in college and that is probably his best fit at the NFL level as well. Having a professional slot receiver in your offense isn’t a bad thing, just look around the league at guys like Cole Beasley, Adam Beasley, Hunter Renfrow, etc. that keep offenses moving by winning with short-area quickness.
It is good to have a specific role in mind for rookies, but Philips has another important role: punt returner.
The Titans need a dedicated punt returner and they need someone who has a lot of experience doing that instead of someone who just wins the job in training camp because they were the best of a bad group. Philips is that guy and if he can prove himself on special teams, that is the fast track to getting on the field as a rookie with Mike Vrabel in charge.
Something to keep in mind here is that Vrabel and company rave about Nick Westbrook-Ikhine’s ability to learn and play every receiver position. Similarly, I expect Robert Woods to know all three spots as well.
If Treylon Burks comes in and focuses on X or Z and Philips comes in and focuses on playing in the slot, that means that the Titans now have four receivers that can sustain an injury without missing a beat. Remember, having the depth to sustain injuries like they had last year is a big theme in this draft class for the Titans.
What did the Tennessee Titans miss out on?
Like with their last pick, this was the best pick the Titans could have made. A consensus fourth-round caliber player who was drafted in the middle of the fifth round and who can wear multiple hats even as a rookie. Great pick.
Grade: A