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Could Burks be Traded from Titans? What Coach Does NOT Say Speaks Loudly on Direction

Former Razorbacks receiver's under-achieving stats as No. 1 pick might make him affordable trade bait in June

Andy Hodges

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks (16) stiff arms Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley during the 2023 season.
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks (16) stiff arms Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley during the 2023 season. / Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Former Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Treylon Burks may soon be looking at the realities of life in the NFL with Tennessee. From all appearances in what coach Brian Callahan really didn't say recently, it didn't sound promising he would even make it to a third season.

When it comes to personnel decisions with multiple dates for various deadlines, I learned decades ago there's more in the way things are worded and not said in that league for whether a player is gone or not that matters the most.

Right now, he's not high on the Titans' depth chart after playing in only 11 games last season with just 16 receptions for 221 yards and no touchdowns. After finishing the season with fewer receiving yards than Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and running back Tyjae Spears, whispers of a Burks' trade started to appear.

Injuries don't get much sympathy in that league. Burks is coming to the end of his first three-year contract in Tennessee and has a $3.92 million cap value this year, but they can shave that just over $2 million with a trade after June 1. That simply means the Titans may already be ready to give up on a former No. 1 draft pick that isn't putting up the kind of numbers expected after a promising rookie year in 2022.

"Treylon’s potential is very high," Callahan said. That's never a good first sentence to hear. It's somewhat of a veiled promotion for trade value. "First-round pick, we see all the talent. But he’s going to get what he earns."

To translate all that, he hasn't worked out so far and they have options they feel better about for whatever reason. Right now, multiple sources put Burks' trade value around seventh round pick, which is not very good for a former first-round pick two years ago. If the Titans grab a receiver in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft, the handwriting on the wall may turn into graffiti-sized screaming quickly.

Possible trade destinations are already being discussed and include the San Diego Chargers (where the greatest Razorback receiver of all time, Lance Alworth, set records), the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravents. Those are just guesses.

There probsbly would be a trade because the only other option would be to just put him on waivers and send him packig somewhere else. The Titans appear willing to pay a $1 million penalty for him to play somewhere else, but for a straight-up release? That won't happen in a third year for a first-round pick unless there are things we don't know about.

The Draft will be in a couple of weeks. Burks' status and Tennessee's goal could become clear after that. And it will likely happen quickly.

HOGS FEED:

• Former Razorback player getting new contract deal with Philadelphia 76ers

• Defensive lapse at end costs Razorbacks in 10-inning loss to Alabama, snapping streak

• Transfer running back good as advertised

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Andy Hodges
ANDY HODGES

Sports columnist, writer, former radio host and television host who has been expressing an opinion on sports in the media for over four decades. He has been at numerous media stops in Arkansas, Texas and Mississippi.