What one Titans coach said about Chig Okonkwo's fit in the offense
The lack of production out of the tight end position limited the Titans’ effectiveness in the passing game in 2021. After signing veteran TE Austin Hooper, Tennessee selected Maryland TE Chig Okonkwo in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft in an effort to upgrade at tight end. Though he is just a rookie, […]
The lack of production out of the tight end position limited the Titans’ effectiveness in the passing game in 2021. After signing veteran TE Austin Hooper, Tennessee selected Maryland TE Chig Okonkwo in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft in an effort to upgrade at tight end. Though he is just a rookie, Okonkwo will be a vital piece in order for the Titans’ passing game to get back on track.
When watching his tape, Okonkwo jumps off the screen due to his speed and athleticism after the catch. In 2021, Okonkwo hauled in 52 catches for 447 yard and five touchdowns. Defenses had to fear that a big play was on the horizon every time he got his hands on the football.
Okonkwo has BPE – Big Play Energy.
At the NFL Combine, Okonkwo compared his game to that of former Titans tight end Jonnu Smith. The versatility that Okonkwo brings to the table will undoubtedly be an asset for offensive coordinator Todd Downing.
“I really appreciate his work ethic and his approach. He’s been a true pro,” said Titans tight ends coach Luke Steckel. “He’s got a unique skillset. He can run, he can catch, he can block, so we’re really excited about his versatility and how he can fit in this offense.”
At the combine, Okonkwo posted the fastest 40-yard dash time among the tight end attendees. Interesting enough, Okonkwo’s official time (4.52s) was faster than Titans rookies Treylon Burks (4.55s) and Kyle Philips (4.58s).
As for the rookie learning curve, Steckel mentioned that everybody has to go through it, but Okonkwo is catching on early.
“Chig’s certainly a smart guy. We picked that up pretty quickly. He’s picked up things quickly and shown his intelligence from the first day he got here. That makes the job a lot easier.”
Blocking is a requirement when playing tight end in Tennessee’s offense. Don’t let his ability as a pass catcher fool you, Okonkwo handled his responsibilities in the run game fairly well at Maryland.
While Hooper will be the obvious starter at tight end to begin the season, the Titans will still use two tight ends packages on a frequent basis. When looking around the AFC, nearly every contender has a top-flight tight end. There is hope inside the Titans facility that Okonkwo can get to that level with time.
Featured image via Tim Fuller – USA TODAY Sports
