Titans’ Offseason Positional Preview: Wide Receiver

The Tennessee Titans need some upgrades at the wide receiver spot before the 2023 season kicks off. At the moment, the Titans do have some young pieces in place at the position and an interesting name set to hit restricted free agency.

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans’ wide receiver room has been one of the most scrutinized parts of the roster going back to before the 2022 season kicked off. Flash forward to now and the scrutiny has only increased and for good reason. While the Titans have some young pieces in place, there is a major talent deficit compared to most teams in the NFL.

The Titans already released veteran Robert Woods to save $12 million in salary cap space. They should be looking to add receiver talent in the draft and in free agency, but let’s take a look at what is on the roster right now and who is set to depart as well.

Under Contract

Treylon Burks - $3.2 Million Cap Hit

Burks was the lone bright spot for the Titans’ receiver group last season. While Burks missed some time, only playing in 11 games, but in the games Burks was available he was by far the most talented pass catcher on the team. Burks is entering his second season so his status on the roster is firmly set after being a first-round pick in 2022. The Titans have to hope that one of the big reasons their wide receiver group is better in 2023 is because of Burks developing even more and staying on the field.

Kyle Philips - $948k Cap Hit

Philips started the season with a tremendous performance against the New York Giants. He had six catches for 66 yards and even returned a punt for 46 yards in the game. That, unfortunately, was the highlight of Philip’s season as he suffered a shoulder injury in that game and later a hamstring injury that caused him to only play in four games. Philips showed potential to be a valuable slot receiver and punt returner. Hopefully, he can live up to some of that potential and stay on the field for the Titans in 2023.

Racey McMath - $982k Cap Hit

Tell me if you have heard this before, but the Titans need McMath to simply stay healthy to see if they have anything worth pursuing here. In theory, McMath is a 6’3” big body player who can win down the field on contested catch situations and use his size to make plays. Alas, McMath has only played 14 games in two seasons and only five games in 2022 due to injury. He hasn’t produced much of note either with career totals of four catches for 48 yards. Until McMath stays healthy long enough to be out there consistently, he will continue to be a ‘what-if’ for the Titans and not someone who they can rely on as they look to make roster decisions.

Reggie Roberson - $750k Cap Hit

Mason Kinsey - $750k Cap Hit

Both Roberson and Kinsey have had nice moments in training camp and preseason for the Titans. Both were brought back to the roster on futures contracts(a training camp invite). It is hard to see either factoring in to any roster decisions or making a big splash for this receiver group, but development is possible and perhaps this season one of them takes a step forward towards being someone who can make the 53-man roster.

Pending Free Agents

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

Westbrook-Ikhine, or NWI for short, has been a pleasant surprise for the Titans since joining the team as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Indiana in 2020. His first season was mostly about special teams duties, but NWI blossomed into a solid contributor on offense the last two years going for 63 catches and 873 receiving yards with seven touchdown catches.

The issue is NWI is now a restricted free agent and other teams have the ability to make him offers. While the Titans can match those offers, the team will be looking to do a massive overhaul of the receiver position. NWI has been a nice depth piece who was asked to do more than he should have been so the Titans would most likely love to have him back, but it is up in the air right now as to what the future holds for the fourth year man out of Indiana.

Cody Hollister

No. Just no.