The Tennessee Titans will promote competition at wide receiver throughout training camp and the preseason. Sorting through the pass-catching depth chart is key to fully unlocking rookie quarterback Cam Ward. The Titans have a bunch of promising players jockeying for roles.
Veterans and rookies will mix alike. Calvin Ridley appears slated to be Ward's go-to target. Veteran free-agent signings Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson will have roles as reliable players. Rookies Elic Ayomanor, Chimere Dike, and Xavier Restrepo are all promising options as well.
Of the rookies, Ayomanor may possess the clearest pathway to snaps, with Jefferson and Bryce Oliver contending for reps at "X" receiver. Dike promises to be a utility option, capable of playing "BIG SLOT" or "Z" wideout as a speedy, explosive route runner. Restrepo is a slot-only option who's chemistry with Ward dating back to their Miami Hurricanes days should land him on the 53-man roster.
That really doesn't leave any room for returning first-round bust Treylon Burks. General manager Mike Borgonzi acquired five wide receivers this offseason who appear on most offseason 53-man roster projections. Add Ridley and possibly Oliver to that mix, and Burks is the odd man out.
Titans could look to send veteran WR Treylon Burks packing
Burks is currently recovering from a torn ACL injury suffered last season. The former Arkansas standout didn't physically participate in OTAs or minicamp as a result. He was present, taking part in individual drills.
Titans head coach Brian Callahan should provide an update regarding Burks' health status when the team reports to training camp in late July. Burks is stuck on the Titans' roster for now. All NFL contracts include injury protections. The Titans certainly can't trade him until he's fit enough to pass a physical.
But it's just a matter of time. When Burks is deemed healthy enough, the Titans will undeniably consider moving on. The oft-injured first rounder has appeared in just 16 combined regular-season games across the previous two campaigns, totaling a pathetic 20 receptions for 255 yards and zero touchdowns.
Burks' time in Nashville is running out.