Titans cut WR Dez Fitzpatrick
After informing him that he will not make the 53-man roster, the Tennessee Titans are parting ways with second-year WR Dez Fitzpatrick. Despite being graded ahead of the draft as a “priority undrafted free agent”, the Titans got aggressive, and selected Fitzpatrick in the 4th round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Fitzpatrick was the 16th […]
After informing him that he will not make the 53-man roster, the Tennessee Titans are parting ways with second-year WR Dez Fitzpatrick.
Despite being graded ahead of the draft as a “priority undrafted free agent”, the Titans got aggressive, and selected Fitzpatrick in the 4th round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Fitzpatrick was the 16th WR to come off the board.
Two training camps into his NFL career, and Fitzpatrick’s growth has been minimal. He appeared in just four games, catch five passes for 49 yards as a rookie, and the scouting report out of college still feels applicable.
Fitzpatrick has the size and the speed to be successful, but he lacks the route-running savvy needed to take the next step, and he continues to struggle with catching the football.
While some held out hope that he could become the Titans' deep threat, there’s no way around it, he’s gotten outperformed.
Fifth round rookie Kyle Philips and Racey McMath, who was taken two rounds after Fitzpatrick in 2021, have each showed playmaking abilities within the offense and contributed more on special teams.
Philips will be the punt returner, while McMath is set to get a majority of kick return opportunities.
Fitzpatrick was ultimately looking to prove he was worth keeping on the 53-man roster as the WR6, but in some of his biggest opportunities to prove himself, he failed to come through.
With the game on the line in the preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals, Fitzpatrick dropped a game-winning touchdown from Logan Woodside in the corner of the endzone.
When sitting on the bubble, it can often be one play that make or breaks you. While the drop wasn’t the only factor going into the decision; it certainly could have been the straw that broke the camels back.
Fitzpatrick could be back on the practice squad if he clears waivers, but I expect the Titans to look elsewhere for a WR to replace him as cuts around the league trickle out.
Image via George Walker IV / Tennessean.com
