Tag: Tyler Boyd

Titans announce ’emergency’ QB3 already on roster

The Titans have a hole in the third spot of their quarterback corps, but they have found a temporary solution until they bring in a QB3.

When the Tennessee Titans traded Malik Willis to the Green Bay Packers as part of their 53-man roster trimming, it left an open position on the team. Will Levis is the starter and Mason Rudolph is his backup, but what happens if both of these quarterbacks get hurt?

With Willis gone, there wasn’t a clear answer to that question until yesterday when the Titans announced that wide receiver Tyler Boyd would be the emergency QB3.

https://twitter.com/TDavenport_NFL/status/1829178509841080790

Boyd was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2016 and just joined the Titans roster in 2024. He was part of Brian Callahan’s and Ran Carthon’s skill player upgrades for Levis, completing the three-headed monster with Calvin Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins.

Believe it or not, Boyd has actually attempted passes in the NFL. He attempted six passes with the Bengals over five seasons, completing three of them for 85 yards. He also threw an interception and was sacked once.

Everyone would rather see Boyd on the field catching passes from Levis, and no one wants to consider two quarterbacks going down in one season, but it does happen. The Titans are lucky to have a player like Boyd who can step in in a pinch, but no one really wants to see him under center if it can be helped.

Top WR tandems list ignores Titans’ key offseason addition

The Tennessee Titans were recently identified as an “honorable mention” in CBS Sports’ top WR tandems list, ignoring Tyler Boyd’s presence.

The Tennessee Titans certainly left no stone unturned when it came to addressing their wide receiver group this offseason. DeAndre Hopkins was the only wideout on the team last year who recorded more than 30 catches — 75 to be exact — on an overall underwhelming position group.

As such, the Titans were proactive in bolstering the wide receiver room to surround second-year quarterback Will Levis with a surplus of weapons. On paper, Tennessee’s wide receiver group is the best entering a season in quite some time.

However, one outlet is not completely sold.

Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports recently published his “Top WR tandems of 2024.” He has the Titans listed in his honorable mentions section.

Here is his analysis:

If it were 2018, this grouping might be top-five on the list. Hopkins is still a crisp route-runner, and Ridley can still fly. But injuries have already struck the former at age 32, and Ridley’s debuting in a new system.

While Benjamin notes the obvious, he omits the addition of Tyler Boyd, which certainly cannot be ignored. It’s not exactly a coincidence that the Titans’ offense clicked in Wednesday’s practice, with Boyd returning from a bruised foot.

The 29-year-old has yet to achieve the 1,000-yard mark since the 2019 season, aligning with the emergence of superstar wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase during his time with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Boyd, who signed a one-year contract in free agency, accumulated 667 yards last year, the lowest since his 2017 season. However, the former University of Pittsburgh standout does not need to be the leading receiver in Brian Callahan’s offense.

That likely belongs to Calvin Ridley or DeAndre Hopkins. Yes, the latter is recovering from a knee injury, but by all accounts, Hopkins should be good to go for Week 1 in Chicago.

No doubt about it: second-year quarterback Will Levis will spread the ball around, which could materialize into an overall positive season for the Titans.

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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.

Former NFL star Dez Bryant with high praise for Titans WR Treylon Burks

Dez Bryant likes what he sees from Titans WR Treylon Burks.

In two NFL seasons, Tennessee Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks has just 49 receptions for 665 yards and one touchdown — in 21 career games.

To say the No. 18 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft is entering a make-or-break would be an understatement. This offseason, the Titans, tired of waiting for Burks to become a quality starting wide receiver, paid big money to Calvin Ridley in free agency and followed that up by also signing Tyler Boyd.

Two other things going against Burks: General manager Ran Carthon arrived one year after the Titans drafted Burks. Secondly, the Titans hired a new head coach this offseason (Brian Callahan) who has no investment in Burks.

Burks is in a similar position as cornerback Caleb Farley, minus the injuries.

A week into training camp, Burks’s performance has opened some eyes. One rep shared on social media caught the attention of former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant.

The former Dallas star was impressed.

The Titans are in a good position with Burks. They’ve added enough talent around him to not be dependent on him in 2024. Currently, Burks is Tennessee’s No. 4 wideout behind Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins, and Boyd. However, Burks’ combination of size and athleticism could help take the Titans’ offense to another level.

 

Tyler Boyd tops FanDuel’s list of third wide receivers

Titans wide receiver Tyler Boyd was named the top third wide receiver in the NFL by FanDuel.

Tyler Boyd is a veteran wide receiver who spent his first eight seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. He joined the Tennessee Titans as a free agent this offseason, helping to create a three-headed wide receiver monster the Titans will loose on the NFL in 2024.

A solid add to the Titans’ wide receiver corps, Boyd was named the top third wide receiver in the league by FanDuel.

Boyd is a versatile player who has recorded stats in almost every stat line on both sides of the ball and special teams. Offensively, he’s recorded 513 receptions for 6,000 yards and 31 touchdowns with just five fumbles. He’s rushed 19 times for 166 yards, and he’s completed three passes for 85 yards with one sack and one interception.

Playing alongside Calvin Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins, Boyd rounds out a trio of ball catchers that will stress out the best of defenses. The Titans have the potential to have a really good season if this team comes together well. Boyd will be a big part of that, and the league is on notice.

WATCH: Titans’ WR Tyler Boyd climbs the ladder in dazzling training camp catch

Tyler Boyd had the catch of the day in Titans’ training camp.

When training camp first opened, wide receiver Tyler Boyd talked at length about adjusting to a new team. It’s safe to say that he is feeling at home with the Tennessee Titans.

The 29-year-old had the catch of the day on Wednesday on a deep ball from quarterback Will Levis. Boyd climbed the ladder to grab the football over cornerback Roger McCreary and came down with it, much to the delight of his teammates and coaches.

Here is the clip that everyone was talking about:

If that is a preview of things to come, the Titans’ receiving group should be in much better shape than they were in the last couple of years.

Boyd figures to be a big piece of that group after spending the first eight years of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals, during which he totaled 6,000 receiving yards on 513 catches and 31 touchdowns. He recorded career-bests in catches (90) and receiving yards (1,046) during the 2019 season.

The former University of Pittsburgh standout’s production dropped off over the last couple of seasons as Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow leaned more and more on star wideout Ja’Marr Chase.

However, Boyd will be entering a similar situation in his first season with the Titans, as DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, and Treylon Burks will all command playing time.

Bengals WR Tee Higgins links up with Titans’ Tyler Boyd

Two former teammates were recently spotted together.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins linked up with an old friend recently in Nashville, Tennessee.

There, Higgins apparently met up with former Bengals wideout Tyler Boyd. The two spent four years in Cincinnati together before Boyd ended up signing a one-year pact with the Tennessee Titans in free agency.

Higgins will remain a key part of the Bengals offense in 2024 while playing on the franchise tag. Boyd’s former slot spot will go to names like free-agent arrival Mike Gesicki, running backs and wideouts such as sophomore Charlie Jones or hyped rookie Jermaine Burton.

Here is a look at the photo making the rounds on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9INra9uEtx/

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Titans not high enough in PFF’s receiving corps. rankings

PFF recently ranked the receiving corps. of all 32 teams in the NFL and the Titans simply weren’t high enough.

The Tennessee Titans beefed up their receiving corps. in a big way this offseason with the additions of Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd, both of whom will join last year’s top target in Nashville, DeAndre Hopkins.

Assuming everything pans out, that trio is arguably one of the best in the NFL and the Titans are in a much better place than they were last season when they lacked talent at the position.

However, that wasn’t exactly reflected in the receiving corps. rankings of Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema, who placed the Titans’ group at No. 12.

It’s important to note that Sikkema includes tight ends and running backs when calculating his rankings. Here’s what he said:

It’s hard to know what to expect from the Titans’ passing game this year, but they have a handful of intriguing names.

Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins might not be at his peak but is still a good player, as is newcomer Calvin Ridley. Treylon Burks is a wild card that could put this group over the top, and the Titans signed veteran Tyler Boyd this offseason to raise the floor.

Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, who earned a 74.6 receiving grade in 2023, are viable receiving options out of the backfield.

The Titans have two receivers who could be a No. 1 on a lot of teams in the NFL in Ridley and DHop, and Boyd is one of the better slot receivers there is.

Then, factor in the uber-athletic Chig Okonkwo as the No. 4 option and a pair of explosive playmakers in Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, and that should seal the deal for a top-10 ranking, at worst.

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Fantasy football: Can Mike Gesicki rebound in 2024?

Is there a realistic chance Gesicki bounces back in 2024?

A second-round pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2018, tight end Mike Gesicki looked like a player on the rise, posting a 73-780-2 line in 2021 to give him a total of 177 receptions, 2,053 yards, and 13 touchdowns over a three-year stretch. Miami thought enough of Gesicki to slap the franchise tag on him. Heading into Year 5 with new head coach Mike McDaniel arriving, the future looked bright for Gesicki.

Instead, McDaniel brought an offensive attack predicated on speed and vertical shots, built around wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and the result was a marginalized role for Gesicki. After seeing an average of 95 targets over his previous three seasons, the Penn State alum had just 52 in 2022, and — outside of his five touchdowns — his numbers fell to non-rookie lows (32-362-5).

Coming off a down year, Gesicki inked a one-year deal with the New England Patriots. The thought process was clear: give new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien another talented tight end to pair with TE Hunter Henry and watch as that duo recreates the magic seen during O’Brien’s previous run with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. It didn’t work out that way.

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The Pats scuffled offensively throughout 2023 as quarterback Mac Jones regressed, and QB Bailey Zappe showed none of the promise he’d flashed the previous year. When the dust settled, Gesicki was targeted just 45 times, catching 29 of them for 244 yards and a pair of touchdowns. It was another disappointing year for the talented pass catcher.

Gesicki signed another one-year deal this offseason, this time with the Cincinnati Bengals, in hope of reigniting his flagging career. It follows Cincinnati’s recent trend, having brought in veteran TEs Hayden Hurst in 2022 and Irv Smith Jr. last year. Hurst (52-414-2 in ‘22) was a far more productive signing than Smith (18-115-1), but the Bengals will be hoping for more from Gesicki.

While tight end hasn’t been a featured position since quarterback Joe Burrow arrived in 2020, the winds of change are blowing in Cincinnati. WR Tyler Boyd is gone, having signed with the Tennessee Titans, and wideout Tee Higgins has demanded a trade after receiving the franchise tag, leaving WR Ja’Marr Chase as the one sure thing in the Bengals’ passing attack.

In terms of competition, TE Drew Sample (22-163-2) returns, and the team spent fourth- and sixth-round picks on TEs Erick All (knee) and Tanner McLachlan, respectively. On paper, nobody in that group is a threat to challenge Gesicki for the top job in 2024. All has the talent over the long term, though he’s recovering from a torn ACL.

Fantasy football outlook

Coming off two disappointing seasons, Gesicki is unlikely to garner much attention in fantasy drafts this time around. While that’s a valid approach, he shouldn’t be dismissed entirely. Depending on how things shake out with Higgins, Gesicki has a chance to fill a bigger role than he has since 2021, and Burrow is easily the best quarterback with whom he’s played. He’s someone to add to your watch list as a possible TE2, provided Higgins is indeed dealt.

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What is the Titans’ biggest strength going into 2024 season?

Bleacher Report identifies the Titans’ biggest strength going into 2024, but did they choose the right one?

The Tennessee Titans have much to prove in 2024. The team is coming off a dismal 2023 season in which head coach Mike Vrabel was fired after going 6-11.

With a new head coach in town, the team did a fine job of adding talent to the roster. Wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd were added in free agency. Running back Tony Pollard was added to offset the loss of Derrick Henry. Corners L’Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie were also added to the secondary in free agency. Lloyd Cushenberry and Saahdiq Charles will help improve the offensive line.

Despite some high-profile additions, oddsmakers and many media members are not believers in the Titans, as evidenced by the team having one of the lowest projected win totals in the league (6.5).

Recently, Bleacher Report identified the biggest strength of each NFL team. For the Titans, the biggest strength was listed as the pass-catcher group. Ridley was listed as the most impactful addition while Treylon Burks was listed as a player to watch this summer.

Regarding the pass-catchers, the BR NFL Scouting Department said the following:

A year ago, the Titans had one of the worst receiver groups in the league. In the wake of the A.J. Brown trade, they didn’t have a No. 1 receiver or even a collection of secondary options that could cause problems for defenses.

Fast-forward to the present and they have put together an ensemble that should give Will Levis every chance to prove he can be the franchise quarterback.

Last season, DeAndre Hopkins ended with 75 catches for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns. No other WR on the roster had even 30 catches or 450 yards. Luckily, that shouldn’t be the case going forward.

Here’s more from BR:

Calvin Ridley worked just fine as the Jaguars’ No. 1 receiver last year. However, his best fit is probably as a high-end second option. That’s exactly what he’ll be with the Titans after defecting from their division rival.

Chigoziem Okonkwo might have disappointed fantasy football managers, but he was the second-leading receiver in the Titans’ run-heavy offense last season.

New head coach Brian Callahan went to a familiar face to create a good receiving trio. The Titans signed Tyler Boyd to a one-year deal. He’ll give them a consistent veteran who can man the slot.

Whether the group can blossom will depend on the younger talent underneath the top three. This feels like a make-or-break season for Treylon Burks. Hopkins has publicly hyped Burks at OTAs already this offseason. His continued performance is a storyline to watch.

The BR NFL Scouting Department made the right call here. The wide receivers room is the deepest position group on the roster. What was arguably the biggest weakness in 2023 is now arguably the biggest strength.

If the pass-catcher group wasn’t the choice, it would have to be the secondary.

Sneed and Awuzie are welcome additions to a secondary that includes Roger McCreary, Amani Hooker, and Elijah Molden. However, not even that group of players has the ceiling that this group of pass-catchers has.

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