Now that the 2021 season is in the rearview mirror, it’s time to start preparing for the start of the new league year.
Unfortunately, given the Titans’ current salary cap situation, it’s unlikely that Tennessee will be spending well over nine-figures to bring in multiple free agents as they have in previous years.
The NFL Draft is arguably the most important and most anticipated period of the offseason because It gives franchises the opportunity to add a plethora of young talent to their roster with minimal cap implications.
However, over the past two years, Tennessee has failed to get significant contributions from the majority of its last two rookie classes.
The Titans’ lack of recent draft success, combined with Tennessee’s current salary cap issues, vastly amplifies the importance of adding instant impact rookies this year.
That is why over the next nine weeks, we will be giving you all a chance to vote on which prospects you would choose if the choice was yours.
Each week we will provide a little background information on four different prospects from the same position group and then a poll will be posted so you all can vote on which prospect you’re leaning towards.
This week, we’ll continue with arguably the deepest position group in the draft: Wide Receivers
WR Chris Olave, Ohio State
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 187 pounds
Hand Size: 9 1/2”
Wingspan: 73 1/8”
40-Yard time: 4.39 (Official)
College Stats and Accolades
- 38 games played
- 2,711 receiving yards
- 35 touchdowns
- 32 touchdowns in final 31 games
- 15.4 yards per reception
- 2X First Team All-Big Ten (2020-2021)
- Third-Team All-Big Ten (2019)
- Second-team All-American (2021)
Brief Background
Chris Olave is one of the most refined route-runners in this draft class. His route-running and releases will offer him a strong chance to translate to just about any passing system in the league upon arrival.
The former Buckeye’s lack of size and play strength does show up when he’s asked to block in the run game, where he is currently a below-average contributor. Although it wasn’t a detriment in college, there will also be some valid concerns about how well he can consistently win against press coverage in the pros due to his skinnier frame.
Olave has also developed a cerebral aspect of his game due to being a product of an Ohio State program that is consistently producing high-level NFL ready prospects.
The California native has the potential to be an instant impact rookie with possible WR1 potential in the near future.
WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 225 pounds
Hand Size: 9 7/8”
Wingspan: 79 1/8”
40-yard time: 4.55 (official)
College Stats and Accolades
- 32 games played
- 146 catches
- 2,399 receiving yards
- 18 receiving touchdowns
- 16.4 yards per reception
- 38 carries
- 222 rushing yards
- One rushing touchdown
- 5.8 yards per carry
Brief Background
Treylon Burks is a talented big-bodied wide receiver with a sky-high ceiling. He possesses the versatility to operate from wherever you want and can attack the defense in a multitude of ways.
Burks is naturally a mismatch for defensive backs due to his combination of size, strength, and the competitiveness to win on all three levels of the field.
Arkansas put the ball in his hands from a variety of alignments and you’d have to imagine that his next NFL team would try and do the same. Burks produced at a high level whether he lined up outside, inside, or in the backfield for the Razorbacks.
However, he also doesn’t create a ton separation and Burks’ route tree isn’t as refined as some of the other wide receivers in this draft class.
Burks’ most dynamic trait is his natural ability to go up and over defenders to win 50/50 balls. He thrives at contested catches because he has a genuine understanding of body positioning and how to use his size to his advantage.
WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 183 pounds
Hand Size: 9 7/8”
Wingspan: 76 1/2”
40-Yard time: 4.38 (official)
College Stats and Accolades
- 32 games played
- 143 catches
- 2,213 receiving yards
- 23 receiving touchdowns
- 15.5 yards per reception
- Six carries
- 143 rushing yards
- One rushing touchdown
- First-team All-Big Ten (2020)
- Second-team All-Big Ten (2021)
Brief Background
Garrett Wilson is a highly competitive and versatile wideout who plays much bigger than his frame. He is a polished route runner who excels once the ball is in his hands.
The Ohio State product doesn’t possess top-notch speed, but his natural acceleration allows him to reach his top speed quicker than most defensive backs. He is very crisp at the top of routes, creating a lot of separation for him to maneuver after the catch.
With all that said, at this point, Wilson is more of an athlete than he is a true technician. He has improved as a route-runner over his collegiate career but he will need to continue to polish his overall game if he’s going to maximize his potential to the fullest ability.
WR Jahan Dotson, Penn State
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 178 pounds
Hand Size: 9 1/2”
Wingspan: 74”
40-Yard time: 4.43 (official)
Collegiate Stats and Accolades
- 42 games played
- 183 catches
- 2,757 receiving yards
- 26 total touchdowns
- 15.1 yards per reception
- AP Third-team All-American (2021)
- First-team All-Big Ten (2021)
- Third Team All-Big Ten (2020)
Brief Background
Jahan Dotson is a versatile wide receiver who aligns both inside and outside. He also contributed on special teams by returning punts at Penn State where he produced 338 yards and one touchdown on 25 returns.
Dotson is a very good athlete who is dangerous with the ball in his hands and has elite challenge defenses vertically. He is also a very good route-runner, already showing an extended route tree and the ability to win on all three levels.
The former Penn State receiver also has a slight frame by NFL standards. Larger defenders can outmuscle Dotson, and his frame can occasionally hinder his ability to work through contested situations.
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