Where Titans Reciever Treylon Burks Stands Among Receivers Drafted In 2022

There were 13 receivers selected in the first or second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Where does Treylon Burks rank amongst those in his class?

Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

NASHVILLE - Treylon Burks was one of six receivers selected in round one of the 2023 NFL Draft. He was also one of 13 in that draft's first two rounds.   

Though Burks' performance was underwhelming overall during his rookie campaign, his potential has begun to emerge during the recently completed OTAs and minicamp. 

To that end, it seemed like the right time to compare Burks' rookie season to those of the fellow receivers drafted in his class, particularly some of those selected behind him that the Titans could have taken. 

FIRST ROUND

Burks was the final receiver taken in round one, the No. 18 overall selection. He managed 33 receptions for 444 yards and one score.

Meanwhile, Drake London (No. 8 to Falcons), Garrett Wilson (No. 10 to Jets), Chris Olave (No. 11 to Saints), Jameson Williams (No. 12 to Lions), and Jahan Dotson (No. 16 to Washington), in that order, were all taken before Burks' selection by the Titans. 

Wilson led all rookies with receptions and yards with 83 catches and 1,103 yards, while Dotson led this group with seven touchdown receptions and both became key fantasy receivers in a hurry, according to the experts at Fanduel. 

Besides Wilson, Olave (1,042), London (866), and Dotson (523) all ended their first year with more yards than Burks (444).   

SECOND ROUND

George Pickens (No. 52 to Steelers) led all second-round rookies with 52 receptions and 801 yards. Alec Pierce (No. 53 to Colts) and  Christian Watson (No. 34 to Packers) collected 41 receptions, with Pierce amassing 593 yards, while Watson managed 611 yards.  

Wan'Dale Robinson, Tyquan Thornton, and Sky Moore were taken in the second round, but all finished with fewer receptions and yards than Burks, though Thornton surpassed him in touchdown receptions with two.

Of note, John Metchie was also selected in round two by the Texans but missed the entire season after being diagnosed with Leukemia. 

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks (16) exits the field after an OTA practice at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, May 23, 2023 :: Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

ANALYSIS   

It's difficult to assess what Burks might have been able to produce, given different circumstances, such as playing alongside a porous offensive line, having no other viable receivers alongside, and his physical issues. Still, his production was middle-of-the-road for his draft class. 

That two players were selected in round two and outperformed him is an indictment for Burks. Specifically, Pierce as a division rival on a team (Colts) who played quarterback roulette last season between an aging veteran (Matt Ryan) and a sixth-round rookie (Sam Ehlinger).   

The fact that Burks was behind the production of those drafted ahead of him speaks to them performing up to their draft status, while Burks, for different reasons, was below his first-round status. 

CONCLUSION

Entering year two, Burks still might be without a lot of help, though Kyle Phillips seems healthy, and Chris Moore, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and rookie Colton Dowell seem to be able to provide some level of complimentary support. 

Burks won't receive his final grade based on his rookie season, but the clock is now officially ticking, and it's up to Burks to respond. 

So far, based on his appearance, the amount of off-season work he has done to improve his body, and what we saw of him on the field during the Titans OTAs and minicamp, he is trending in the right direction.    

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