The Titans Should Feel Pretty Comfortable at Receiver Heading Into 2020

Some of us expected the Titans to draft a receiver, but they didn't - that should indicate they feel good about the group in place, as they should.

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A lot of us felt like the Tennessee Titans would draft another wide receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft. The reason? This vertical passing game needed a little more juice outside of A.J. Brown. Plus, Tajae Sharpe, a reliable route runner and sure-handed receiver who converted a lot of first downs, was set to become a free agent. He ended up signing with the Minnesota Vikings. And, the Titans were in a weird spot with Corey Davis – he’s a solid #2 option, but is he going to live up to the expectations that come with being the 5th overall pick? That’s the question, and they might’ve answered it by declining his 5th-year option.

Nonetheless, the draft has come and gone, and the Titans didn’t select a receiver with any of their picks. Some members of Titans Twitter criticized the team for passing on one, but really, getting another weapon out of a loaded class of wide receivers was a luxury more than anything else. The Titans are probably feeling good about their stable of receivers, as they should.

Brown broke out as one of the best young receivers in the NFL a season ago, showing big play ability and shiftiness after the catch. He tallied 1,051 receiving yards as a rookie, and looks like a sure bet to be the team’s #1 moving forward. This feels like the first offseason in a long time that we’re not asking, “who’s going to be the top dog in the receiving corps?”

Behind him, Davis is an effective #2 despite not living up to the billing that comes with the first receiver selected in a draft class. He’s a great blocker and has shown flashes of takeover ability. They’re not going to pay the man $15-$16M a year, and that’s fine. That’s all declining the 5th-year option meant. Then, you have Adam Humphries, who wasn’t really the splash free agent signing we thought he’d be, but played serviceably. The team may believe Kalif Raymond can be the speed guy they take a couple of deep shots to each game, and if he plays the way he did against the Baltimore Ravens more consistently, they’d be right to believe in him. Cameron Batson didn’t catch a pass in 2019, but fought his way onto the main roster after a competitive camp battle. He may get a longer look in 2020. Several undrafted rookie free agents round out the group. The talent is there.

They’re also getting a healthy Jonnu Smith who is going into the season as the top tight end. He’s shown tremendous potential as a pass-catcher. The tight end group is three-deep with guys who can run routes and make plays. If Anthony Firkser continues on the trajectory he was on during the playoffs, he’s going to make an impact in 2020. MyCole Pruitt is a helluva third tight end to have on the roster, too.

The team did draft running back Darrynton Evans out Appalachian State. He brings a lot of the explosiveness I thought the offense needed, and should replace Dion Lewis just nicely. Add up all the pieces, and it doesn’t matter where the plays come from as long as they’re there to be made. And, the Titans have a solid collection of guys who can make plays.

And, the thing you have to remember about this team is the philosophy of the offense – they don’t need a stacked deep receiving corps when they’re running the ball as much as they do. Perhaps we all should’ve remembered that part when we were talking about Jalen Raegor and Brandon Aiyuk.

They aight.

Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley

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