Tag: Treylon Burks

Titans want to keep Treylon Burks involved despite struggles

With DeAndre Hopkins on the rise and Treylon Burks on the decline, it’s time for the Tennessee Titans to give other receivers a shot.

The Tennessee Titans have a solid wide receiving corps that includes DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, Treylon Burks, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and Jha’Quan Jackson. With Will Levis lining up under center, the receiving production has been spotty at best.

Initially, Ridley was the guy. Levis connected with him early in the first two games, but against the Green Bay Packers, he was more inclined to throw to Hopkins. His knee is on the mend and he caught six of seven targets in the last outing.

The thing is, Hopkins was brought in to help mentor Treylon Burks as well as bolster the receiving options, but Burks really hasn’t amounted to what the Titans hoped he would. Plagued by injuries, he hasn’t yet made the impact that was expected, leading some to wonder when Westbrook-Ikhine will get a shot.

The Titans want Burks to play, as indicated by offensive coordinator Nick Holz.

“We want Treylon to play,” Holz said, via the Nashville Post. “We want him to go out there and make plays. I think at some point, if you keep getting targets and things don’t go your way … Sometimes it’s been a little bit bad luck and some of the targets, maybe he gets doubled or we wanted the ball to go somewhere else or the protection put it where he got it.

“So, it’s a balancing for everything. We have faith in Treylon. We have faith in Nick. We think both those guys are really valuable pieces of our offense.”

Hopkins is a veteran receiver who is useful now; he’s a guy Levis can absolutely rely on and should be utilized regularly. The same goes for Ridley and Boyd.

Burks could still have a future in Tennessee, but it’s not right now, and it’s time for Holz and Brian Callahan to give Westbrook-Ikhine and Jackson more opportunities.

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Titans WR Calvin Ridley’s impact transcends stat sheet

Some impressive numbers from Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley in Week 2.

During the Week 2 loss to the New York Jets, Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley looked and played like the prized free agent acquisition he was billed as. He accounted for both Titans touchdowns and was the dynamic playmaker the team was hoping for. 

How good was he? Well, he recorded the fastest speed of any receiver in the league during Week 2. His 20.93 mph touchdown run was the best by a receiver and fourth by any ball carrier. 

The game marked a significant step forward for Ridley, who was solid but not a game-changer in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. While his stat line of three receptions for 71 yards and one touchdown might not jump off the page, he averaged 24.6 air yards per target and was the only wideout in the NFL to average more than 20 yards. 

Ridley was mostly followed by one of the best young cornerbacks in the game, the Jets’ Sauce Gardner, who had a rough day. Ridley and the rest of the Titans corps gave Gardner the worst statistical day of his career; he allowed five receptions for 97 yards and a score. 

With Ridley stepping up, the Titans need another receiver to do the same. DeAndre Hopkins has been invisible, playing fewer snaps than Treylon Burks over the first two games, and free agent Tyler Boyd has not added much production. In fact, his 1.1 yards of separation on his five targets were the worst in the NFL during Week 2. 

With the line struggling and quarterback Will Levis making some huge mistakes, the offense needs a boost. Ridley made the first impact; which receiver will be next?

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Titans’ WR Treylon Burks sustains injury, leaves practice early

Titans’ wide receiver Treylon Burks left practice early on Wednesday with an apparent lower back or hip injury.

The Tennessee Titans resumed practice on Wednesday, but it wasn’t without issue. Wide receiver Treylon Burks went down with an injury and left practice early.

The good news is that Burks left the field under his own power. This is a good indication that whatever the injury is, it’s probably not major.

This injury is just the latest reason Burks will point to when asked why he hasn’t earned a starting spot yet. A former first-round pick, 18th overall in 2022, Burks was expected to be on the field making a difference by now. But because he hasn’t acclimated to the league yet, the Titans picked up veteran wide receivers to ensure that Will Levis has reliable weapons at his disposal.

Burks didn’t record any catches against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, but he did have one catch for 12 yards against the San Francisco 49ers during the first preseason game.

Over two seasons, Burks has 49 receptions for 665 yards and one touchdown. He adds 65 yards on nine carries, and he has a total of 30 first downs between the two.

At 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, plus natural athleticism on the field, Burks has the potential to be a solid receiver. But he has to stay healthy and put in the work to get it done. He has improved, which is positive, but he still has room for growth.

The Titans face the New Orleans Saints this Sunday in the Titans’ final preseason game of the year.

Revamped Titans passing game offers fantasy hope

A revamped passing game and system offers fantasy promise.

Coming off another sub-.500 season, the Tennessee Titans fired head coach Mike Vrabel and didn’t re-sign longtime stalwarts like running back Derrick Henry and quarterback Ryan Tannehill. It felt like the end of an era as the club hired Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan to replace Vrabel and signed veteran wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd to jumpstart a passing attack that ranked 29th in the NFL last year (180.4 yards/game) and hasn’t finished in the top 20 since 2011.

That duo joins three-time All-Pro WR DeAndre Hopkins and 2022 first-rounder Treylon Burks in a receiver room that now boasts talent and experience. Questions remain, however, as QB Will Levis enters 2024 as the starter following an uneven showing as a rookie — he threw four TDs in his debut and then managed just four scoring strikes over his remaining eight games. Behind him are QBs Mason Rudolph and Malik Willis, neither of whom have lit up scoreboards in limited opportunities.

So, with the caveat that improved play from Levis is crucial to Tennessee’s receivers delivering the goods for fantasy football owners, let’s look at what Tennessee has to work with this season.

Titans’ WR DeAndre Hopkins to miss time with knee injury

Who steps up in Hopkins absence?

Tennessee Titans’ star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will miss the next 4-6 weeks with a knee strain injury, as first reported by Paul Kuharsky. Hopkins suffered the injury either during Wednesday’s practice or on Thursday morning.

It’s a tough blow, given the timing of the injury. In the best-case scenario, Hopkins returns to the mix a week before the Titans open the season against the Chicago Bears. If he is out for the full six weeks, he would be looking at two regular-season games missed and returning for Week 3 at home against the Green Bay Packers.

With Hopkins sidelined, the Titans will look for others to step up. The 32-year-old enjoyed a tremendous first year in Nashville in 2023, hauling in 75 catches for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns. It was the eighth time that Hopkins reeled in at least 75 catches in a season and the seventh time he eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark.

Third-year wideout Treylon Burks will almost certainly benefit from a move up in the depth charts. The Arkansas product was penciled in as the Titans’ fourth wide receiver entering this season, behind Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, and Hopkins.

Burks appears ready for the challenge after getting himself into shape prior to training camp. His offseason work has paid dividends, as he has been a camp standout while drawing rave reviews from his coaches, teammates, and former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant.

Still, losing a player of Hopkins’ caliber will be felt throughout the organization, but the Titans are more prepared than in previous seasons for the next man to step up.

Titans’ Treylon Burks: ‘I’m just here to prove myself right’

Tennessee Titans WR Treylon Burks has heard the critics, but his new physique isn’t about proving anyone wrong, only proving himself right.

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks was selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. The 18th overall pick, Burks hasn’t quite produced what the Titans hoped he would over the last two years.

This year, though, Burks is motivated to do more, even sending a photo to the Titans as proof he’s been putting in the work.

“I feel terrific,” Burks said after Saturday’s practice at Nissan Stadium. “I just dedicated myself to it, and just wanted to grind. It’s just something different that I wanted to try, and obviously it has helped a lot since we started camp. I started doing it at the end of OTAs and I kept it going all the way through. I wanted to change my body drastically, and I’ve done that.”

On top of feeling terrific, Burks has received a ton of praise this offseason for how hard he’s worked. It’s still hard to tune out the critics, but Burks isn’t trying to prove anyone wrong.

Burks has to prove himself to keep his spot on the team, though, with DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, and Tyler Boyd poised to be a three-headed monster for the Titans this season.

But having those stars on the field also opens up opportunities for Burks. When other players are double-teamed, he should see more open seams and grass to make plays.

In the third year of his rookie contract, Burks needs to perform this season. Not just to keep his current spot with the Titans, but to show the entire NFL that he’s a capable receiver who contributes on the field and deserves a future in the league.

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NFL analyst urges Titans to trade WR Treylon Burks for peanuts

One NFL analyst suggested the Titans trade wide receiver Treylon Burks to the Commanders for next to nothing in hypothetical trade.

Training camp has started, and every team in the NFL is beginning the process of whittling down the roster to 53 players. It’s no easy feat for any team. There are always the ones everyone knows aren’t going anywhere, but there are also last-minute roster changes before the season starts.

One NFL analyst has suggested one hypothetical trade for each NFL team that would be worth exploring. For the Tennessee Titans, the suggestion is to trade wide receiver Treylon Burks to the Washington Commanders for a 2025 fifth-round pick. Basically, the Titans get next to nothing for a former first-round draft pick.

The logic behind the suggestion is that the Titans brought in Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd in free agency, which leaves Burks without much of a shot on the field.

Both additions don’t look good for Treylon Burks’ continued opportunities within the offense. Burks has been one of the most disappointing first-round picks from the 2022 draft class. He had 33 receptions and 444 yards with a score in his rookie season but only had 221 yards in 11 games as a sophomore.

Titans general manager Ran Carthon has praised Burks for his work this offseason, noting that the 24-year-old has “bought in and grown up”.

Yet, there’s just not much growth potential for Burks’ role given who they have on the roster. It would make some sense to simply move on from Burks when Nick Westbrook-Ikhine has been a more consistent fourth receiver.

The author also notes that the Commanders don’t have much in the way of receivers once you get past Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, which is why they’d be willing to give Burks a shot.

All of that may be plausible, but it’s pretty unlikely. Burks may not have lived up to his first-round expectations, but he is most definitely in the fourth spot, and the Titans are unlikely to get rid of him at such a low price. They didn’t bring in veteran receivers to give up on their youth; they brought in veteran receivers to mentor their youth.

Obviously, nothing is off the table until the deadline hits, but this one probably isn’t happening.

Titans’ Treylon Burks looking absolutely jacked ahead of training camp

It’s clear Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks hasn’t just been sitting around on his rear end during the month-plus break before training camp.

The Tennessee Titans have been on a break for over a month since the end of the offseason program and it’s clear wide receiver Treylon Burks hasn’t just been sitting around on his rear-end.

Burks, who is facing a crucial season after two lackluster campaigns to start his career, posted a photo of himself flexing on his Instagram story and he’s looking absolutely jacked with training camp just days away.

After being selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft following the foolish trade of A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles, Burks has failed to live up to expectations. Not only has he battled injury, but Burks has also been ineffective when on the field.

Burks battled conditioning issues in his first offseason but was in much better shape in 2023. This might be the best shape he’s been in during his young career.

That said, it does nothing to guarantee that Burks will get his career on track, something he’ll have a tough time doing with the additions the Titans made at wide receiver earlier this offseason.

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Titans WR Treylon Burks might be the bargain trade the Steelers need

The Steelers might be out of the market for an elite receiver but there are still options out there like Treylon Burks.

With each passing week, it seems less and less likely the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to work a blockbuster trade for a wide receiver like Brandon Aiyuk. With the cost of top-tier wide receivers going up astronomically this offseason, it could be enough to scare off the front office from getting strapped to a massive contract.

However, it doesn’t mean the Steelers still can’t make a trade for a former first-round pick and hopefully get their other starting receiver while helping that player get a once-promising career on track.

That receiver is Tennessee Titans wideout Treylon Burks. Burks entered the league in 2022 after a great career at the University of Arkansas. Through two seasons, Burks only has 49 receptions for 665 yards. Some of that had to do with inconsistent quarterback play, some with a poor scheme fit and some of it had to do with Burks.

But the Steelers could be the perfect spot for Burks to get his career on track. The team has a new offensive system, an exceptional wide receivers coach in Zach Azzanni and the quarterback room is full of veteran leadership. A deal for Burks couldn’t cost the Steelers much in terms of draft capital and he is not going to be demanding a massing contract the second he’s on the team.

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Trading Treylon Burks named the ‘final move’ Titans need to make

One NFL analyst believes trading Treylon Burks is the “final move” the Titans need to make. Here’s why he’s wrong.

With the Tennessee Titans signing Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd this offseason, the chances for Treylon Burks to have a bounce-back campaign in 2024 have dwindled to almost zero.

Because the Titans don’t need him as much as they did before those two moves, there are many out there who believe the team should trade Burks and get what they can for him.

One of those people is ESPN’s Aaron Schatz, who picked trading Burks as the “final move” the Titans should make before training camp.

It’s clear that Burks has worn out his welcome in Tennessee after two disappointing seasons. The former first-round pick had just 16 receptions for 221 yards last season with no touchdowns, and coaches are talking about Burks needing to play special teams to solidify his roster spot. He’s probably fifth on the depth chart at this point, so it would behoove the Titans to send him to another team, get him a fresh start and bring in some draft capital to use in 2025.

For starters, that should hardly be at the top of the list of things the Titans do before training camp. This team still needs help at interior defensive line, EDGE and safety.

As far as trading Burks is concerned, he has almost zero value based on what has transpired over the first three years of his career and would likely only garner a late-round pick.

For that price, the Titans are better off just holding on to Burks and hoping he can increase his value somehow. Not to mention, letting Burks go leaves Tennessee with less depth, which isn’t ideal for a franchise that has been plagued with injuries in recent years.

And, if Burks can find a way to get his career off life support, the Titans will have a built-in option for 2025, when both Boyd and DeAndre Hopkins are set to hit the open market.

Instead of subtracting, the Titans should be looking to add. Two players I’d love to see signed are safety Justin Simmons and defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, both of whom would shore up positions of need.