Late round rookie pick already turning heads at Tennessee Titans OTAs as both a returner and wide receiver
Nashville, TN — The Tennessee Titans continue to improve in every single facet of the game this offseason. Ran Carthon has simply put on a master class in turning a roster around quickly. From bringing in an incredible cornerback tandem with L'Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie, to completely revamping the offense on the line and […]
Nashville, TN — The Tennessee Titans continue to improve in every single facet of the game this offseason. Ran Carthon has simply put on a master class in turning a roster around quickly. From bringing in an incredible cornerback tandem with L'Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie, to completely revamping the offense on the line and at playmaker, the Titans are going to be much improved.
And now it seems the team may be set to improve in yet another important area where they struggled in 2023: the return game. New late round rookie pick Jha'Quan Jackson (Tulane) is already turning heads as both a return weapon and wide receiver in early OTAs. If he's given an opportunity on special teams he should star right away.
Jha'Quan Jackson, WR Tulane
The Titans selected Jha'Quan Jackson, WR Tulane in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft just a few short weeks ago. It's no wonder they're giving him early looks with the kickoff and punt returners given his skill set. He was an absolute weapon in the return game in college as you can see in this highlight post from our very own Jack Gentry below.
Jha'Quan Jackson returned just shy of 100 combined kicks and punts throughout his career as a part of the Tulane Green Wave. He averaged abut 21 yards per kick return, and 11 per punt, including the punt return touchdown in the post above. With the NFL's new kickoff return rules this season, adding an explosive return weapon should be supremely important ahead of this fall. And Jackson should be the best option.
A to Z Sports' Austin Stanley who was on site at practice on Tuesday. He noted that Jackson's route running ability and quickness stood out immediately. That checks out given how fast he played throughout his career at Tulane.
While Jackson wasn't an absolutely prolific receiver, he was a hyper-efficient slot option for a good portion of his career who could score at any moment thanks to his incredible YAC ability. You can see that electric YAC ability on this 87-yard touchdown reception that came against USC in the post below.
Jha'Quan Jackson brings a unique skill set that the Titans don't already possess among their likely starting wide receivers. He looks like a great draft pick already.
Other Titans Return Weapon Options
It's still early but several Titans players have already been running with the returners in OTAs so far:
- Jha'Quan Jackson, WR
- Eric Garror, CB
- Mason Kinsey, WR
- Kearis Jackson, WR
- Kyle Philips, WR
- Sam Schee, WR
The Titans primarily used Tyjae Spears for kick returns last season, so he very well may reprise that role. However, his expanded offensive role at running back this season may pull him off of special teams almost entirely in year two.
Eric Garror and Mason Kinsey were the two main options last year on punts, but were largely ineffective. It's still early, but Jha'Quan Jackson may end up playing both returner roles for the Titans this fall on top of playing a potential gadget receiver role from the slot.
Be looking for more Tennessee Titans coverage here at A to Z Sports all year long! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
And if you want to watch some Jha'Quan Jackson highlights from his time at Tulane to see how he could star with the Titans right away as a rookie this season you can check out the video below!
