At Arkansas, Treylon Burks was used as a slot receiver as a three-year starter in college, but in the NFL so far, he was used more on the outside full-time despite the lack of experience. His productive third season with the Razorbacks showcased his potential, going over 1,100 yards with 12 total touchdowns on 66 catches.
The 24-year-old has only played 21 games and started 14 of them in the past two seasons for the Tennessee Titans, with 665 career yards. Burks did have some highlight reel plays with Tennessee when he’s been on the field, especially the one touchdown catch he had in his NFL career so far.
Where does that leave Burks, with teams that need a receiver willing to gamble on his skillset and draft pedigree?
Tennessee Titans: Could Treylon Burks be Phased Out
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Despite the crowded roster at the receiver position, new Titans head coach Brian Callahan still has optimism for the former 18th overall pick when asked about Treylon Burks.
“As far as Treylon’s role, he’s gonna play everything,” Callahan told reporters on Thursday. “We’ve told him that from the beginning. He’s gonna play inside, he’s gonna play outside and he’s gonna carve out a role for himself. I had him come up today and do the break after practice because his work he’s put in has been really impressive.”
At this moment, Burks is still on the roster and should have a role despite their most recent signing at the receiver position.
“I wouldn’t say there’s a diminished role of any sort,” Calahan said. “We’ve made very clear to Treylon that the signing of Tyler is not about him. It’s about helping our team get better, adding better players to our team, and making us a competitive football team. What he’s done and how he’s worked has been great, and I’m anticipating him still being able to play a good role for us.”
The 6’2″ and 225-pound junior coming out was supposed to be the AJ Brown replacement, as Tennessee made the trade during the 2022 NFL Draft. While that was not a label Burks should’ve gotten, it has not worked out so far with the Titans for multiple reasons.
Mainly being injuries.
In November of last year, he had a nasty concussion in Week 9 and missed three games, as Burks was not the same player after and the Titans didn’t utilize him enough when he returned.
The week before, Burks had just come back from a knee patella sprain he suffered in practice before Week 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Even in last season’s training camp, Burks sprained his LCL in a joint practice with the Minnesota Vikings.
That was just from 2023 for the highly touted Tennessee Titans receiver, as 2022 was also not favorable for him.
Tennessee Titans: First-Rounder Buried in Depth Chart
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With the veterans signed in free agency, along with DeAndre Hopkins and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who the Tennessee Titans re-signed, Burks seems like he is on the outside looking in. They also have former fifth-rounder Kyle Phillips as their backup slot receiver on the roster.
The veteran Hopkins is their obvious top target, with a 75 catch, 1,000+ yard season through the air despite inconsistencies at quarterback and the offensive play calling. The 31-year-old “Nuk” also had seven touchdowns due to the massive two games he had in 2023, in Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons and Week 14 against the Miami Dolphins.
With Westbrook-Ikhine brought back, that gives Tennessee some depth and size at the position. The 27-year-old has also shown some promise to play on the outside as a role and special teams player. The former undrafted rookie free agent has been on the team since 2020 and has had over 370 yards and three touchdowns over the last three seasons.
Phillips could even see more time compared to his 2022 and 2023 seasons, as the 24-year-old only had 15 catches for 181 yards in nine games played. Both he and Westbrook-Ikhine have set roles, while Burks is more of an in-between player at this point.
Tennessee Titans: Signed Big Name Free Agent WRs
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This offseason has been a massive offensive overhaul for the Tennessee Titans, as they surround Will Levis with tons of experience and weapons around him. This also includes beefing up one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL, and it started with them drafting one in the first round.
Alabama’s JC Latham is their first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, taking him 7th overall and giving them a blindside protector for Levis. The 21-year-old gets to play next to former first-rounder Peter Skoronski at left guard, solidifying the left side of the offensive line.
It doesn’t stop there, as they spent big money in free agency on offense, with players like running back Tony Pollard and wide receiver Calvin Ridley. Other depth signings in the trenches include center Lloyd Cushenberry III and veteran right guard Daniel Brunskill.
Their most recent signing includes Tyler Boyd, a veteran slot receiver who can complement the likes of Hopkins and Ridley on the outside.
Teams that could make a move for the former first-rounder Burks include the Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, and Dallas Cowboys.
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