Titans’ Star Tight End Chig Okonkwo Hits Rare Statistical Marks in Rookie Year

The Tennessee Titans stumbled upon a star in tight end Chig Okonkwo who was able to accomplish something in his rookie season that only some of the NFL’s top offensive weapons have done.

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans struck gold with fifth-round rookie tight end Chig Okonkwo. Okonkwo was one of the only bright spots on a rather morose Titans’ offense in 2022. Okonkwo finished his rookie campaign with 32 catches, 450 receiving yards and three touchdowns, but looking beyond the counting statistics shows that Okonkwo is among some of the elite playmakers in football already.

According to Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis, Okonkwo accomplished something in his rookie year that has only been done five times in the last five seasons. Okonkwo had greater than .35 expected points added per target, greater than 7.9 yards after catch per reception and more than 30 receptions in one year.

the last 5 years there have been only 5 players with a season of:

> 0.35 EPA/target
> 7.9 YAC/reception
> 30 receptions

Ja'Marr Chase (2021)
Deebo Samuel (2021)
A.J. Brown (2019)
George Kittle (2018)
Chig Okonkwo (2022) <<<<

Chig deserves to be featured more in the TEN offense https://t.co/XZ0ZGCYH4X

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) February 24, 2023

Look at the others who have accomplished that in the last five seasons and you will quickly see some of the best players in the NFL. Names like Ja’Marr Chase, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and former Titan AJ Brown are the only others who were able to accomplish it. That is an incredible group of names to be a part of.

Not only that, but looking at the grades from Pro Football Focus and you can see that Okonkwo is already on his way to being one of the best tight ends in the NFL, not just one of the most explosive ones. Okonkwo is the sixth highest-graded tight end in the NFL among those who were targeted at least 37 times in 2022. Okonkwo ranks behind only Travis Kelce, George Kittle, Mark Andrews, Dallas Goedert and Pat Freiermuth. That is pretty good company for a rookie

Okonkwo also led all NFL tight ends in catches of 40 yards or more with three of them this year. All of this statistical information just proves two things. Okonkwo is one of the most underrated explosive playmakers in the NFL already and he was criminally limited by the Titans’ coaching staff in his rookie year.

Yes, Okonkwo needs to improve on his blocking, but it should be even more difficult for the Titans to keep him off the field in 2023. His offensive snap count cannot be anywhere close to the 37% snap rate he had last year. That number needs to be doubled to 74%, if not higher if the Titans’ offense truly wants to get back to being one of the better offenses in the NFL.

Taylor Lewan Released: In an expected move, the Tennessee Titans have officially released left tackle Taylor Lewan. With Lewan's release, it appears likely that Tennessee will begin looking for a new long-term starter at left tackle, whether through free agency or the draft. CLICK HERE

Robert Woods Released: According to a report from Jordan Schultz, the Titans are releasing veteran wide receiver Robert Woods. The move will clear $12 million in cap space while leaving behind $2.6 million in dead money. CLICK HERE

Titans' Free Agent Fits - Offensive Tackle: The biggest need the Tennessee Titans have on the roster right now is at left tackle. There will be a bevy of viable options to fill that need in free agency this offseason, at all price points. CLICK HERE