National media outlet thinks there's a specific trade the Titans need to make this summer
Pro Football Network recently detailed each AFC team's biggest remaining need and how to address that need. For the Tennessee Titans, PFN listed wide receiver as the franchise's biggest need that still needs to be addressed this offseason. The Titans released Julio Jones earlier this offseason and they traded AJ Brown on draft night to […]
Pro Football Network recently detailed each AFC team's biggest remaining need and how to address that need.
For the Tennessee Titans, PFN listed wide receiver as the franchise's biggest need that still needs to be addressed this offseason.
The Titans released Julio Jones earlier this offseason and they traded AJ Brown on draft night to the Philadelphia Eagles. That leaves Robert Woods (returning from a torn ACL) and Treylon Burks as the team's top wide receivers. Woods was acquired from the Los Angeles Rams for a sixth-round pick back in March while Burks was selected with the No. 18 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
There are question marks surrounding Woods and Burks and there isn't much depth behind either of them. It's easy to see why PFN views wide receiver as a lingering need for Tennessee.
In order to address the need at wide receiver, PFN thinks there's a trade the Titans should make. They suggested this week that Tennessee should work a deal for New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton.
From PFN:
Tennessee’s WR depth chart will look totally different next season. A.J. Brown is out, and Robert Woods and Treylon Burks are in. However, the Titans don’t have much depth behind that duo, with Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Dez Fitzpatrick, and Kyle Phillips filling out the rest of the roster.
General manager Jon Robinson’s 2021 trade for Julio Jones didn’t pan out, but acquiring Slayton from the Giants would be an entirely different matter. Slayton is just 25 years old, so he could become a long-term piece for the Titans if he played well this year. New York, which already boasts Kenny Golladay, Sterling Shepard, Kadarius Toney, and Wan’Dale Robinson, could look to move from Slayton as he enters a contract year.
Slayton showed a lot of promise in his first two seasons in the NFL, averaging 49 receptions and 745 receiving yards over his first two years as a pro. The former Auburn standout, however, battled injuries in 2021 and only caught 26 passes for 339 yards.
The Titans could probably get Slayton for fairly cheap since he's coming off a down year. Slayton is entering a contract season, so he'll be motivated to put up big numbers. Tennessee could give up a late-round pick for Slayton and see how he works out in 2022. If he performs like he did in 2019 and 2020, they could extend him and use him as their long-term No. 3 wide receiver. If he doesn't perform at a high level, then the Titans can simply move on after the season and they're only out a late-round pick.
This wouldn't be a headline-grabbing move, but it would certainly help alleviate some of the Titans' wide receiver depth concerns.
Featured image via Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
