Hometown hopeful looking for opportunity with Titans
Former Tennessee Volunteers and current Tennessee Titans wide receiver Josh Malone is hoping his homecoming brings an NFL opportunity with it. While playing at Tennessee, Malone was a standout, and the main target for Joshua Dobbs during the 2016 season. After posting 972 yards and 11 touchdowns in his junior season, Malone turned pro, and […]
Former Tennessee Volunteers and current Tennessee Titans wide receiver Josh Malone is hoping his homecoming brings an NFL opportunity with it.
While playing at Tennessee, Malone was a standout, and the main target for Joshua Dobbs during the 2016 season. After posting 972 yards and 11 touchdowns in his junior season, Malone turned pro, and received a lot of love from analysts when he was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 4th round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
"I really like Cooper Kupp, but would have gone with Chris Godwin or Josh Malone before him.”
– Mel Kiper Jr. When grading the 2017 NFL Draft
Now five years later, and Malone is yet to live up to his potential. He has spent time with four different organizations (CIN, NYJ, DEN, GB), mainly on practice squads, and caught just 11 career passes in 26 career NFL games.
Malone’s NFL journey now brings him to his fifth organization, which also happens to be where it all started. Malone signed a contract with the Tennessee Titans back in February.
A few months ago, Malone did not know when or even if another NFL opportunity would present itself. He stayed ready and prepared anyways, and now finds himself competing for a job in what feels like a “blessed opportunity.”
“It's nerve racking. It’s frustrating. It's all about doing what you can do to prepare yourself for the next opportunity and being ready for it when it comes,” Malone said. “It’s very exciting, I grew up rooting for this team. It’s a very blessed opportunity to be back home and close to family.”
Malone may have his dream opportunity, but making the Titans roster is sure to be an uphill battle. While the wide receiver room isn't exactly loaded with depth, Malone will find himself on the outside looking in, likely competing against younger options in Reggie Roberson Jr., Dez Fitzpatrick, and Racey McMath for the final spots on the team.
Provided everyone is healthy, Burks, Woods, Westbrook-Ikhine, and Philips are all locks to make the roster, and with the Titans potentially keeping three quarterbacks on the roster, there's a decent chance the Titans’ 53-man roster won’t include more than six receivers.
That would leave two spots up for grabs, and a surplus of bodies competing for them.
Roberson looks to be an explosive weapon on special teams, Fitzpatrick has been praised for his growth by Titans GM Jon Robinson, and while McMath is a one trick pony, he’s a good one.
"I think he has developed his skillset, and he understands what the pro game takes now – he did not understand that (last) August. But he has grown, and I am just really proud of the steps he has taken."
– Jon Robinson on WR Dez Fitzpatrick
I’m not exactly sure where Malone fits into that picture. On one hand, he has more NFL experience than any Titans receiver not named Robert Woods. An argument could also be made that he has just as much upside as the other depth options.
The key now is going to be proving his value in the weeks leading up to roster cuts. I think Malone will have to find one area of his game in which he excels above the field. That could be special teams, his big-play ability, or even locker room leadership. Doesn’t matter, but the competition is tough and he will have to find something if he hopes to make his hometown team.
For now, Malone is an enticing feel-good story to keep eyes on as he gets more reps in practice.
Image via George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
