2021 NFL Draft: Teams that should consider wide receiver early
Tennesee Titans
One season after shocking the NFL by upsetting two major Super Bowl contenders in the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens, the Tennesee Titans had a very good season winning the AFC South and making the playoffs. Ryan Tannehill showed that his heroics late last season is sustainable for him over the course of a 16 games season. The Titans also were carried by their offense since their defense had not played well.
A key storyline that emerged for the Titans this season was the production of Corey Davis. The Titans took Davis fifth overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. Since then Davis has not developed into the player they thought he would be. From year two to year three Davis’ production dropped and he became a nonfactor for the Titans offense. But this season in year four Davis had career highs with 984 yards and five touchdowns. He emerged as the true second option in the passing game for the Titans’ offense. But his performance this season earned him a three-year $37.5 million contract from the New York Jets.
Tennessee Titans
Since Davis has left the Titans, wide receiver has emerged as a need they need to address. After A.J. Brown the only notable receiver on the Titans depth chart is recent signee and former Los Angeles Rams Josh Reynolds. Even if Reynolds takes over the number two receiver role for the Titans’ offense they need another playmaker on offense because their former starting tight end Jonnu Smith has signed a 4 year $50 million deal with the New England Patriots.
Finding a fit at wide receiver for the Titans shouldn’t be difficult because their top two receivers are versatile themselves. A.J. Brown can stretch defenses out with his speed but has the size to be a possession receiver. While Josh Reynolds can line up all over the field and do whatever is asked of him. A receiver who plays big or can dominate over the middle of the field in the slot should be what the Titans look for at the position. Tennesee is going to need a red zone threat in the passing game to take attention away from Derrick Henry on the goal line or to take advantage of the fact that defenses have to stack the box in that scenario. They can find that player during the early rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Wide Receiver options for the Baltimore Ravens from the 2021 NFL Draft:
- Draft Tylan Wallace (Oklahoma State) with pick #53
- Draft Amon-Ra St. Brown (USC) with pick #86