Free agent receiver is the missing piece for the Titans
The Tennessee Titans offense is going to look much different this fall than it did a year ago. Maybe not in the scheme, but certainly in the personnel. While things on offense will still center around Derrick Henry, the Titans’ air attack will feature, for better or worse, a new arsenal of weapons surrounding Ryan […]
The Tennessee Titans offense is going to look much different this fall than it did a year ago. Maybe not in the scheme, but certainly in the personnel.
While things on offense will still center around Derrick Henry, the Titans’ air attack will feature, for better or worse, a new arsenal of weapons surrounding Ryan Tannehill.
AJ Brown is no longer in the picture, but that doesn’t mean that Tannehill will be without offensive options. Via free agency and the draft, the Titans have added a standout rookie and a couple proven veterans to an offense that returns Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and not much else.
Even without Brown, the Titans offense has started to look legit:
The best part is, the Titans don’t have to be done adding. We’re still about two weeks out from OTA’s and some established veteran wide receivers are still on the free agent market.
But which one makes the most sense for the Titans?
The important thing when signing a free agent at this stage in the offseason is fit. You have to diagnose the missing piece, and find a way to fill the hole. Look at what the Titans already have in their receiving core.
First round draft pick Treylon Burks has a similar game to AJ Brown. His dimensions are almost identical and his skillset is eerily similar to Brown’s as well. He has explosive downfield speed, making him a legit threat after the catch, and has the big hands and body to complete tough catches through contact. In a perfect world, Burks is your WR1, and the go-to guy when Tannehill is in trouble.
Robert Woods is a savvy veteran with strong route running skills and the versatility to work in the slot or on the outside. Woods can find and get to the holes of an NFL defense, and can be relied on to be pick up short yards when on the field. He too, has speed that’s utilized after the catch, and he’s known for being an effective run blocker from the wideout position.
Burks and Woods will fit the Titans offense like a glove, but even with the new additions, the Titans still seem to be missing a proven deep-ball threat. Burks and Woods both have big play potential after the catch, but finding a receiver that can haul in a long ball and open the field is essential in the pass-happy NFL.
That’s where Will Fuller could come in.
Fuller is a 28-year-old free agent entering his seventh season in the NFL. After five years with the Houston Texas, Fuller is looking for a new home after his 2021 in Miami was derailed by injuries.
In 2020, his last season in Houston, Fuller had over 800 receiving yards, finished 6th in yards per reception and led the NFL in yards per target.
While his game can be fairly one-dimensional and injuries will likely keep him from playing 17 games, Fuller’s skill down the field adds a new dynamic to the Titans passing game. With Fuller on the field, the Titans would have a strong receiving core, with their top four options all having vastly different skillsets and experience levels. Signing him would likely come on a short-term deal as a low-risk and high-reward signing for the Titans.
Best case scenario, he returns to the Will Fuller of 2020 and Ryan Tannehill thrives with the versatile weapons surrounding him.
Worst case scenario, it doesn’t work out and there’s another veteran receiver in the room for Burks and NWI to learn from.
This one seems like a good idea, no matter how you slice it.
Featured image via George Walker IV – Tennessean.com
