The 1-6 Tennessee Titans are entering a big-time matchup versus the 2-6 New England Patriots on Sunday. Unfortunately, neither team is competing for a postseason spot in November. The game is notable because both franchises are currently scheduled to possess top-three overall picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Titans general manager Ran Carthon has already admitted defeat on the season, trading wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs, and linebacker Ernest Jones IV to the Seattle Seahawks, in exchange for extra draft capital. Carthon should continue trying to sell off assets for draft picks ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline.
Veteran wide receiver Tyler Boyd is a potential candidate. Boyd, like Hopkins, is an aging player on an expiring contract. Despite his connections to head coach Brian Callahan, he's unlikely to return to a different-looking Titans in 2025. We've identified three potential landing spots in a trade.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are attempting to survive multiple injuries at the wide receiver position. Mike Evans is on IR with a multi-week hamstring injury, and Chris Godwin recently suffered a gruesome season-ending injury. Boyd would immediately step into Godwin's usual position in the slot.
The Buccaneers are alive in the postseason race at 4-4, but they've dropped three of four contests. Quarterback Baker Mayfield could use a proven weapon like Boyd to get him through this stretch. Furthermore, offensive coordinator Liam Coen coached Titans quarterback Will Levis in college, and runs an offense that's fairly similar to the West Coast concepts Boyd has executed in Tennessee and Cincinnati in recent seasons.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Russell Wilson has the Pittsburgh Steelers sitting atop the AFC North. The Steelers have been red-hot since Wilson entered the starting lineup, scoring 37 and 26 points in consecutive victories. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has the offense firing on all cylinders.
The offense still lacks pass-catching depth outside of George Pickens, though. Rookie Roman Wilson is on IR, and Calvin Austin and Van Jefferson aren't consistent playmakers. Boyd, who's recorded 21 receptions in Tennessee this year, would immediately step into the starting lineup. He's also awfully familiar with the division, having played eight seasons in Cincinnati.
Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders first-year quarterback Jayden Daniels is the rightful favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Daniels has Washington writing one of the more heartwarming stories of the 2024 season, at 6-2 and in first place in the NFC East. With his dynamic quarterback on a rookie contract, Commanders GM Adam Peters could afford to get a little aggressive at the deadline.
The Commanders offense lacks veteran pass-catchers outside of Terry McLaurin and Zach Ertz. They're a little overly reliant on rookies Ben Sinott and Luke McCaffrey. Boyd would provide Daniels with another safety net underneath the coverage.