NASHVILLE — As many wring their hands over the conditioning (?) of first-round pick Treylon Burks, fellow rookie wide out Kyle Philips has gone largely undiscussed. The Tennessee Titans will need all the help they can get from both this year with an almost entirely new cast of skill players.

Philips looks best equipped to help Tennessee for Week 1.

In addition to Burks and Philips, the Titans traded with the Los Angeles Rams to acquire veteran receiver Robert Woods. Tennessee re-tooled its tight end group, too, signing Austin Hooper to a one-year deal and drafting Chig Okonkwo in this year's fourth round. Added running back depth behind lone incumbent Derrick Henry with Michigan product Hassan Haskins is a plus, but Philips will have the ability to contribute right away.

The rest of the offense, to be honest, is kind of a crap shoot.

Why Philips?

It's an excellent question. I am so glad you asked.

The fifth-round pick out of UCLA will not overwhelm you with his physical gifts. At 5-foot-11 and 190 lbs, it is easy to type-cast him as the stereotypical average-sized, white slot receiver. Titans offensive coordinator Todd Downing talked about not wanting to pigeonhole second-year offensive lineman Dylan Radunz at any one position.

In the case of Philips, Tennessee should be ready to categorize away.

"In terms of how (Philips) ran routes and how he worked out of the slot, he reminded me of Cooper Kupp coming out of Eastern Washington," said NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell.

Hyperbole? Only if you choose to make it so.

Kupp coming off an MVP candidate season is not the same player he was as a former third-round draft choice of the Los Angeles Rams. Kupp is also significantly bigger (6-2, 208) than Philips, which most certainly matters to NFL scouts. Where the comparison lies, however, is in their route craft. Both were hugely productive in their collegiate careers because of the nuance they brought to the position. Quick, decisive cuts, reliable hands and short area agility that many veteran NFL wide receivers would be envious are hallmarks of both players. When Philips was drafted by the Titans, he was asked about the players he had studied at the pro level.

Unlike most rookies, Philips gave a very specific answer.

"I’d say I have four main ones," said Philips. "I'd say just Cole Beasley, Hunter Renfrow just in the slot, how they run their outs. I love how intentional they are with their stems, eyes, head movement, all that stuff. Next, Keenan Allen's toughness on outs. He's got a little skip step that he freezes DBs with and I've been able to add that to my game and love that a lot. Then lastly would be Davante Adams with his release package. I really love his split release, so I've been able to add that to my game a little bit."

Words are one thing, but Philips' application of the homework he's done on some of the league's top receivers has made his integration process run smoothly so far in Tennessee.

Titans need contributions from all their offensive rookies this year

The lone exception might be quarterback Malik Willis, but the other five all play positions that necessitate early efforts.

How long it takes to get Burks up to speed is both unknown and very much in-question. Woods coming off of a mid-November ACL tear and already getting OTAs work in is promising. Putting all your pass-catching eggs in that basket, though, remains both unfair to the player and tenuous for the team.

"I think (Philips) can be a factor right away as a slot receiver," Cosell said. "He struck me as the kind of guy that can roll out of bed and line up in the slot and be effective."

So far, Philips and undrafted rookie free agent Reggie Roberson have looked the most at ease with the workload the Titans have put on them.

Tennessee needs instant impact on offense from someone in 2022. Philips looks best equipped to be that guy.

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Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.