ESPN suggests bold free agent signing for Tennessee Titans
When former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan was hired to replace Mike Vrabel as the Tennessee Titans' head coach, fans in Nashville immediately shifted their attention to Cincy wide receiver Tee Higgins. Higgins, an east Tennessee native, is set to be a free agent when the new league year begins in March. The Titans, […]
When former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan was hired to replace Mike Vrabel as the Tennessee Titans' head coach, fans in Nashville immediately shifted their attention to Cincy wide receiver Tee Higgins.
Higgins, an east Tennessee native, is set to be a free agent when the new league year begins in March. The Titans, a team with a big need at wide receiver, are an obvious match for Higgins with Callahan in place as the franchise's head coach.
The only problem with this scenario is that the Bengals can (and likely will) place the franchise tag on Higgins to keep him in Cincinnati for at least another season (the Bengals could also trade Higgins after placing the tag on him).
There's a path for the Titans to land Higgins this offseason, but it's a path with plenty of obstacles.
ESPN offered an interesting alternative for the Titans this week. Instead of pursuing Higgins, ESPN suggested that Tennessee should target Tyler Boyd, Higgins' teammate in Cincinnati for the last four seasons.
From ESPN: The Titans are set on the outside with DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks, but they need an upgrade in the slot. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine had a surprisingly good receiving DVOA this past season, 9% over average, but doesn't have a standout career so far. He's a free agent and could leave Tennessee. Kyle Philips has struggled with injuries and has played 13 games in two seasons since the Titans drafted him in the fifth round of the 2022 draft. The Titans can do better.
A big addition would be Boyd from the Bengals. He did not have an efficient year in 2023, but it was just two years ago that Boyd ranked second in DVOA among all receivers with at least 50 targets. He had at least 750 receiving yards in five straight years from 2018 to 2022 and would be a strong target underneath while Hopkins and Burks draw the defense's attention.
Boyd had one of the least productive seasons of his NFL career this past season, catching 67 passes for 667 yards and two touchdowns while playing in all 17 games.
The biggest reason for Boyd's lack of production last season had to do with the situation in Cincinnati. Superstar quarterback Joe Burrow was injured to start the season, which limited his effectiveness. And then Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury in November. As a result, Boyd's numbers suffered. The same was true for Higgins (who also battled injuries).
Higgins is obviously the better wide receiver. But if the Titans can't find a way to bring him home, then Boyd, who is already very familiar with Callahan's offense, might be their next best option.
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