Corey Davis Landing Spots: Potential suitors for the Titans WR

As free agency quickly approaches, Tennessee Titans WR Corey Davis had his long-awaited breakout season. As he begins searching for a new landing spot, who are some potential teams Titans WR Corey Davis could sign with during NFL free agency?

Titans WR Corey Davis has finally put it all together in his contract season

After being selected fifth overall in the 2017 NFL Draft, Corey Davis carried high expectations. However, Davis’ career hasn’t quite lived up to the hype. His rookie season was underwhelming, with only 375 receiving yards and a 52.3% catch rate.

He saw a jump in 2018 with 112 targets and 891 receiving yards, but his catch rate was still just 58.0%. In 2019, despite playing in 15 games, Davis was lost a bit in the offense. Part of it was the change at QB, and another factor was the addition of A.J. Brown. Davis caught 43 of his 69 targets (62.3%) for 601 yards but only scored twice. 

In 2020, everything clicked for Corey Davis as he had the best season of his career. With Ryan Tannehill under center and his future in mind, Corey Davis took off. In 14 games played, Davis hauled in 65 of his 92 targets for 984 yards and 5 touchdowns. If not for missing two games due to testing positive, Davis would have joined teammate A.J. Brown as a 1,000-yard receiver. 

Related | Top Tennessee Titans’ pending free agents in 2021

He ended the regular season with five games over 100 receiving yards, three more than he had in his career combined to that point. It was something Davis had not done since Week 9 of 2018.

It’s worth noting that Davis did all of this after the Titans declined the option to pick up the fifth-year of his contract. With an estimated market value of $9.8 million on a four-year deal, Corey Davis might have priced himself out of the Titans and in search of a WR-needy landing spot in free agency.

Will a reduced 2021 salary cap impact WRs like Corey Davis in free agency pursuing new landing spots?

Due to lost revenue of the 2020 season, the NFL salary cap took a massive hit. Adam Schefter recently reported the 2021 salary cap will be $182.5 million. Teams are cash-strapped and need to make difficult decisions regarding veterans and how bullish they can be in free agency.

Related | 2021 NFL Free Agency: Top 100 NFL Free Agents of 2021

Overall, it is not a good year to be a free agent. After consistent growth to the salary cap, no one could have predicted what we saw in 2020. Due to the reduced salary cap, luxury additions like someone with Corey Davis’ skill set could see both lower interest and below-expectation contracts.

While I do not doubt that Corey Davis will have numerous teams to choose from as a landing spot, it has forced some other potential WR-depleted teams out of the bidding.

As he leaves the Titans, where are some potential landing spots for WR Corey Davis in 2021?

The Tennessee Titans could very well want to keep WR Corey Davis on the team in 2021

Until Corey Davis signs on the dotted line with his new landing spot, it is not too late for Tennessee. Yes, they declined his option. But after the season he had and going to the playoffs, the Titans might be kicking themselves for that decision. 

With Jonnu Smith also a free agent, are they willing to open up a sizeable void in their offense given how much they are paying Ryan Tannehill? 

Losing Corey Davis would expose a massive hole at the wide receiver position. Davis and Brown combined for 42% of the targets, with the next closest WR being Adam Humphries at 35 targets. Given the chemistry between Corey Davis, Brown, and Tannehill, doing everything they can to re-sign Davis for the 2021 season and beyond is a wise decision.

The Washington Football Team would be a logical landing spot for Corey Davis

Outside of WR Terry McLaurin, Washington does not have a second option at receiver. Logan Thomas was a revelation at TE, but he can’t stretch the field. Thomas and RB J.D. McKissic each had 110 targets in 2020. The trio combined for 354 of the 573 targets last year (62%). 

Washington is unsure what WR Antonio Gandy-Golden will do as he enters his second season due to injuries. Whoever they bring in as the quarterback will need reliable pass catchers. Washington has plenty of cap space as well — $39.3 million. If Washington is the landing spot for Titans WR Corey Davis in free agency, it provides flexibility with their first-round pick.

Corey Davis choosing New England as his landing spot makes him the instant WR1 for the Patriots

Anytime you hear about a receiver in the 2021 free agency period, expect the New England Patriots to be in the conversation. 

Few teams in the NFL lack talent at receiver as much as the Patriots. Julian Edelman is not getting any younger (34) or healthier. 2019 first-round pick N’Keal Harry only caught 33 passes. Jakobi Meyers, a UDFA from NC State, led the team with 59 receptions for 729 yards and no touchdowns.

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For most teams, Corey Davis would be taking on the WR2 role. In New England, he would be the primary option for Cam Newton. The Buffalo Bills have taken over the AFC East. Now, it is up to the Patriots to try to get back into the conversation.

Adding Corey Davis, while not the sexy name, could help that process along. That’s if they can pass the Miami Dolphins, who are in a better spot as a franchise right now.

The Green Bay Packers could be the landing spot for Corey Davis in free agency

I am not even going to pretend that the Packers draft a wide receiver. As much as I want them to do it, they need to show me first. Assuming the status quo remains, attacking the position in free agency is the move. 

Aaron Rodgers needs reliable options, and a veteran like Titans WR Corey Davis would complement Davante Adams. Davis also has some experience with Matt LaFleur from his brief time with the Titans.

The issue here is the salary cap situation of the Green Bay Packers, who currently are only $1.061 under the cap.

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Tommy Garrett is a writer for Pro Football Network covering the NFL and fantasy football. You can read more of his work here and follow him at @TommygarrettPFN on Twitter.