Tag: Kyle Philips

Ranking the WRs in the AFC South entering 2023

From Calvin Ridley to Kyle Philips, here’s a ranking of the WRs in the AFC South entering 2023.

The AFC South isn’t the first division to come to mind when you think of the elite receivers in the NFL.

As far as what it does offer at the position is the return of a player that was on the trajectory to be one of the best in the league, a group that has the potential to be good-to-great receivers that are in the developmental stages of their career, and players that are looking to prove that they are more than being role players that contribute on special teams.

For the purpose of this list, I took the top three receivers from all four team’s depth charts according to Ourlads so you won’t find rookies like Josh Downs and Tank Dell who will likely end up being contributors for their offenses as rookies.

Be sure to check out our other AFC South rankings entering the new season:

Let’s take a look at how the receivers rank across the AFC South:

Titans’ best fantasy football options, deep-league sleepers for 2023

A look at the Titans’ best fantasy football options and some deep-league sleepers for 2023.

After their offense operated at an elite level in 2019 and 2020, the Tennessee Titans have taken steps backwards in each of the past two seasons, with the offense hitting rock bottom in 2022.

There was a lot that went into that fall from grace, as the unit was riddled with injuries, poor play from the offensive line and receivers, and absolutely dreadful play-calling from offensive coordinator Todd Downing.

Thankfully, the Titans have made significant changes to two of those problem areas this offseason, as the team replaced Downing with Tim Kelly and added three new starters to the offensive line.

One area where the Titans did not make significant changes was in the receiving corps., but as you’ll see shortly, Tennessee does have a pair of intriguing young pass-catchers who are poised for breakout seasons.

When taking everything into consideration, there are four Titans who stand the best chance at emerging as viable options for fantasy managers in 2023. They are as follows:

10 Titans facing a make-or-break year in 2023

Shaun Calderon lists 10 Titans who are facing a make-or-break year in 2023.

The Tennessee Titans began their offseason by making several notable moves to get themselves back in good standing with the salary cap.

To accomplish this, the Titans chose to part ways with several high-priced and highly-respected veterans such as Taylor Lewan, Ben Jones and Robert Woods, among others.

While these moves undoubtedly created some much-needed cap room, these decisions also created several more holes on a Titans roster that already had quite a few to begin with.

That means the Titans had to go bargain hunting these last few months, and they are now forced to rely on several young and/or unproven players to take that next step in their development if they’re going to have any chance at competing this season.

As risky as this is for the team, this year is just as nerve-wracking for several players on the roster whose immediate and long-term futures are up in the air for a variety of reasons.

Some are in danger of losing their starting jobs, while others could be on the verge of losing their jobs altogether by season’s end. This article is going to go over 10 players on the roster who are at a crossroads in their respective careers with the Titans.

Without further ado, let’s dive right into it.

Titans’ Kyle Philips added ‘a little bit of armor’ during the offseason

Titans WR Kyle Philips has added some weight to his frame this offseason.

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Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kyle Philips saw an up-and-down start to his career in 2022 before ultimately seeing his rookie campaign cut short due to injury.

The UCLA product made an instant impact as a receiver and returns in Week 1. Philips caught six balls for 66 yards in Week 1, while adding 15.5 yards per punt return over four attempts.

However, Philips was also marred by a pair of muffed punts over the first two games. He would go on to play in two more contests the rest of the season but recorded just one catch for seven yards in those games.

Looking ahead to 2023, Philips, who was impressive as a punt returner when he actually brought them in, is getting another crack at it, according to special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman.

“I’ve moved on from it,” Philips said of the fumbles, per John Glennon of Nashville Post. “I’m confident in my ability at catching punts. Whatever they ask me to do out here, I’m going to do and be confident doing it.”

While Philips’ 2022 injury was of the soft-tissue variety and not because of his size, there has been no shortage of debate about whether or not his 191-pound frame can withstand the punishment of what comes with operating inside.

And that’s something that was clearly at least somewhat on Philips’ mind, as he revealed he’s been bulking up and adding “armor” during the offseason, but he’s doing so steadily in order to make sure he doesn’t see a drop-off.

“Just add a little bit of armor,” Philips said. “Obviously everyone in the NFL is a little bigger, faster, stronger, so it helps with my playing style as well.

“I’m going to try to keep it going, but just keep it a steady process. I want to put some good weight on, but I don’t want to lose my quickness and speed.”

After failing to adequately address the wide receiver position this offseason, the Titans will heavily depend on the UCLA product, who could be as high as the No. 3 option behind Treylon Burks and Chig Okonkwo.

Titans OC Tim Kelly talks WRs, Malik Willis, tempo, more

Titans OC Tim Kelly had a one-word answer when asked if the team has enough at wide receiver.

Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly was among the coaches made available to the media during Day 2 of organized team activities on Tuesday.

Two other coaches spoke to the media as well, including defensive coordinator Shane Bowen and special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman. You can check out everything Aukerman had to say right here, and everything Bowen had to say right here.

One of the biggest topics of conversation this offseason was the Titans’ lack of action at the wide receiver position. When asked if the team has enough there ahead of 2023, Kelly had a simple, one-word answer.

“Yeah,” Kelly replied.

Kelly also touched on second-year quarterback Malik Willis, who many are down on going into 2023. Here’s some of what he had to say (there’s more below).

“As far as developing Malik, yesterday he came out here and did a good job executing on the opportunities he got,” Kelly said, per John Glennon of Nashville Post. “So, each day we’re going to look to do the same thing.”

Now, a look at what else Kelly spoke about on Tuesday.

Titans’ Craig Aukerman talks returner options, kicker competition, more

Titans special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman touched on a number of topics on Tuesday, including returner options, the kicker competition, and more.

The Tennessee Titans made coaches available on Day 2 of organized team activities and special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman was among them.

On the subject of kick returners, Aukerman revealed that rookie running back Tyjae Spears will be among those in competition for that specific job.

“It’s early on, obviously this is what the offseason is for,” Aukerman said, per Titans beat writer Paul Kuharsky. “We’re going to try a lot of guys out there. We obviously liked [Spears’] skill set coming out of college. It’s a little bit too early but we’re going to try him out there and see how that works.”

Aukerman also named Spears as someone who will be in contention for punt return duties, along with second-year wide receiver Kyle Philips.

Aukerman spoke about the new kickoff rules, the kicker competition and much more during his presser on Tuesday. Here’s a look at all of it.

Titans’ updated WR depth chart after the 2023 NFL draft

A look at the Titans’ updated wide receiver depth chart following the 2023 NFL draft.

The Tennessee Titans shockingly failed to address the wide receiver position in the 2023 NFL draft, and as a result there wasn’t much of a change in the wide receiver depth chart.

Yes, they drafted UT-Martin wideout Colton Dowell in the seventh round and reportedly added some undrafted free-agent wide receivers, but none of those moves qualify as adequately addressing the position.

However, landing in Tennessee was the best-possible scenario for all of those prospects, as they stand to have a better chance at making the cut with this team than they would with any other in the NFL.

All that said, here’s a look at where things stand currently with the group, and at the end of the list we’ll provide some analysis for it.

Titans WR stats that further show dire need at the position

Three stats about Titans WRs further show the team’s dire need at the position.

The Tennessee Titans are in desperate need of wide receiver help but have done nothing to address the position in free agency, leaving the 2023 NFL draft as the best avenue to do so moving forward.

As if we needed a reminder of just how bleak things were at the position last year and going into this year, there are three stats that perfectly display those facts.

According to analyst Warren Sharp, the Titans ranked dead last in the NFL in receiving yards from receivers out wide in 2022, totaling 1,064, which was 129 yards less than the next closest team.

And, per AtoZ Sports Nashville’s Sam Phalen, the Titans are set to enter the 2023 campaign without having a single wide receiver posting a 500-yard season in their careers, something the franchise has never seen.

Also per Phalen, the Titans are just one of two teams in the NFL to not have a receiver who has tallied 1,000 yards in a previous campaign on their roster currently, along with the Green Bay Packers.

Tennessee’s leading receiver from 2023, Robert Woods, is no longer with the team after he was cut by the Titans earlier this offseason. Woods, who finished with 527 yards, has since signed with the Houston Texans.

Tennessee appears to have a No. 1 wideout in Treylon Burks, but there isn’t much beyond him. Kyle Philips is another promising young receiver, but the jury is still very much out on him also after an injury-plagued rookie season.

As far as experience is concerned, the Titans are lacking that, also, which is why I was a proponent of bringing in a veteran wideout in free agency. All in all, the Titans need to add experience, speed and size to check all the boxes.

As things stand now, the Titans should strongly consider taking a pair of wide receivers in this year’s draft. Our Shaun Calderon recently listed one in every round for the team to target, which you can check out here.

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Titans’ Kyle Philips looking to get healthy, add weight this offseason

Titans WR Kyle Philips is focused on getting healthy and adding weight during the offseason.

There was hope that Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kyle Philips could make an impact in his first season with the team in desperate need of playmakers in the passing game after A.J. Brown was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.

But that did not pan out for the rookie slot receiver, who got off to a hot start in Week 1 with six catches for 66 yards but ultimately tallied just two more catches for 12 yards in the other three games he played before landing on injured reserve and not returning the rest of the season.

Philips, who dealt with both shoulder and hamstring injuries, expressed his disappointment with how things went, but now he’s focused on getting healthy and adding weight to his 5-foot-11, 191-pound frame.

“I’m definitely disappointed with how the year went,” Philips said. “Definitely wanted to play a lot more games, contribute more to the team. But injuries happen, can’t control them, so I’ve just been focusing on getting healthy and going into this offseason, same thing, put some weight on, get healthy, and get ready for next year.”

Philips said the worst part of all the time he missed was his inability to help the team. It’s safe to say the Titans could’ve used him, as their receiving corps. was arguably the worst in the NFL.

“It sucks,” Philips added. “I think this is the longest I’ve been out of playing football with injuries and that stuff, so it’s been difficult to come in every day and not being able to help this team. That was the worst part.”

Philips said the plan is for him to return home to California to train for the offseason and the team has already given him guidance on what to do.

“They’ve been great here already with us, just helping us make plans and working with our agencies,” he said. “So I’ve got stuff planned back home with where I’ll be training, food, diet, all that stuff.”

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Titans’ Mike Vrabel gives updates on Racey McMath, Kyle Philips

The Titans might see Racey McMath return to practice this week.

Among the Tennessee Titans’ many issues on offense has been poor wide receiver play, but the team could be getting some help back soon.

On Monday, Titans head coach Mike Vrabel revealed there is a chance that 2021 sixth-round pick and wide receiver, Racey McMath, could return to practice this week.

McMath was placed on injured reserve with a hip injury prior to the start of the season but after making the initial 53-man roster.

The LSU product was among Tennessee’s bigger standouts at wide receiver in training camp, and then he carried that over into the preseason with two catches for 75 yards, including a 48-yard grab. McMath also looked good returning kicks.

“Racey has been working hard to try and get back,” Vrabel said. “We’ll see where those guys are this week and what we can do with them.”

The other guy to keep an eye on this week is fellow wide receiver Kyle Philips, who is eligible to come off IR. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like that’ll happen.

Even if McMath returns to practice this week, there’s no guarantee that he’ll actually play in Week 14.

Nevertheless, any help the Titans can get at wide receiver between now and the start of the playoffs is welcomed, especially if Treylon Burks (concussion) misses time.

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