Titans free agent wide receiver options who won't break the bank

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans need to add wide receivers this offseason, but with a weaker free agent class of receivers than usual, it might be difficult to find a player that can impact an offense and doesn't cost a fortune. I'm firmly in the camp that the Titans should take a wide receiver with […]

Sam Phalen
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NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans need to add wide receivers this offseason, but with a weaker free agent class of receivers than usual, it might be difficult to find a player that can impact an offense and doesn't cost a fortune.

I'm firmly in the camp that the Titans should take a wide receiver with the 7th overall pick and get their offensive playmaker that way. But even if Tennessee drafts one or two wide receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft, they could still use an affordable veteran in free agency,

Here are some of the free agent wide receivers that won't break the bank and I think the Titans should be open to.

1. Tyler Boyd

Tyler Boyd is the easiest free agent wide receiver to connect with the Titans. He comes from the Cincinnati Bengals and has the connection to head coach Brian Callahan.

Let's face it. Boyd doesn't have the same speed and ability to win in man coverage that he did even two years ago. His value nowadays comes as a slot receiver who can find openings in a defense and be productive against zone coverages. He also brings selflessness and leadership to a locker room.

If the Titans were to sign Boyd, fans should temper their expectations. He's not going to bounce back to being the 1,000-yard receiver he was for Cincy back in 2019. But for the right price, I'd still welcome this addition. 

I spoke to coaches and executives during the NFL Combine who believe Boyd would be a good signing on a one-year deal, but said that a multi-year commitment would probably not work out. AtoZ Sports projects Boyd to land a two-year deal worth $16.5 million with $7 million guaranteed. That's a reasonable number for a veteran receiver and would give the Titans some flexibility next offseason if things don't go well.

2. Darnell Mooney

Back in 2021, Darnell Mooney had a breakout season for the Chicago Bears that had him looking like a breakout star. He recorded 81 catches and 1,055 yards with Andy Dalton, Nick Foles, and Justin Fields throwing him passes.

Mooney and Fields built a very strong relationship off the football field, but it never full translated into production for Chicago. In 2022, Mooney missed five games with injuries. Then in 2023, his target share took a dive with D.J. Moore being added to the Bears already run-heavy offense. 

Mooney was not in the Top 100 players in targets in either 2022 or 2023. He was targeted just 61 times in each of the last two seasons.

I still think Mooney can be a really productive piece for an NFL offense. He can separate in the slot, and while he needs to improve his play strength if he wants to return to 1,000 yard status, whoever signs him is buying low in 2024. AtoZ Sports projects a two-year, $16 million contract for Darnell Mooney.

3. Curtis Samuel

Curtis Samuel is another slot weapon that the Titans could fit into their future plans for an affordable price. Over the last two seasons in Washington, Samuel has averaged 63 catches and 634 receiving yards per year.

Samuel has been the second or third option in just about every NFL offense he has played in. But his versatility and speed after the catch make him a dangerous slot threat.

AtoZ Sports projects Samuel to land a two-year contract worth $15 million. That's a cheap price to pay for a veteran weapon that would compliment DeAndre Hopkins, Treylon Burks, and a potential rookie wide out nicely.

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