Tennessee Titans 2020 Training Camp Preview: Wide Receivers

The Titans 2020 season is right around the corner, and there has been a lot of buzz around the wide receivers throughout training camp. The group wasn’t expected to be a strength for the Titans this year, but with the emergence of several key players, that has changed. The Titans started last season with six wide receivers on their 53 man roster, and that could be the same in 2020.

Which wide receivers make the Titans 53 man roster in 2020?

It looks like there are four locks at the receiver position for the Titans roster as of now. A.J Brown, Corey Davis, and Adam Humphries will be the starters for the Titans in three-wide receiver sets. Kalif Raymond has had an outstanding training camp, and he looks to have secured his spot on the roster as the Titans fourth wide receiver.

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After these four, there are several intriguing wide receivers fighting for a spot on the Titans 53 man roster. The veterans in this group are Rashard Davis, Cameron Batson, Cody Hollister, and Krishawn Hogan. The Titans also brought UDFA’s Mason Kinsey, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and Kristian Wilkerson into training camp.

Six wide receivers could make the Titans roster

Batson has the most experience with the Titans among these receivers as he spent the past two years with the team. Batson signed with the Titans as an UDFA in 2018 and played in 11 games that season. He didn’t contribute very much that year but was expected to make significant strides in 2019. A shoulder injury during training camp put him on IR for the rest of the 2019 season, but the Titans brought him back on a one-year deal this offseason. Batson has impressed thus far during camp and is likely the favorite to make the team as the fifth wide receiver.

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Out of the remaining guys, Davis has impressed the most out of this group so far during training camp. He was signed to the Titans practice squad during last season and was elevated to the active roster for the last regular-season game in 2019. Coaches and players have raved about Davis’s work ethic on the field and his attention to detail in the film room. Speed is the best part of his game, and the versatility of being able to use Davis as a returner is an added bonus. If the Titans decide to keep a sixth wide receiver on their active roster in 2020, Davis could be that guy.

Hollister and Westbrook are two other guys who could push for a spot on the Titans roster. What separates these two from Batson and Davis is their size. Hollister, 6’4, and Westbrook, 6’2, are big-bodied wide receivers that could be red-zone threats for the Titans in 2020. If the Titans elect to go down this route, Hollister has the edge over Westbrook because of his experience and familiarity with the team.

Raymond could push Humphries for snaps in the slot

The departure of Tajee Sharpe left a void to fill for the Titans, and Raymond looks like the man to fill that role. There were rumors the Titans would bring in a veteran receiver, but the emergence of Raymond during camp seems to have silenced those rumors. What makes him so enticing to the Titans is his versatility as a wide receiver.

Related | Tennessee Titans WR Kalif Raymond is ready for a chance to shine

Humphries will have a role in this offense, but his lack of top-end speed restricts his big play ability. That’s Raymond’s specialty, and it could cause him to spell Humphries on certain plays if the Titans need more speed on the field. This is Raymond’s first chance to solidify his role in an offense, and based on his performances during training camp; he’s not taking the opportunity lightly.

Brown and Davis have skillsets that complement each other

Titans head coach Mike Vrabel has raved about how important Davis is for the Titans offense in 2020. His blocking ability is extremely important for the Titans, and Vrabel knows it.

“I would say he’s our best blocking wide receiver. I mean he takes pride in it, and for us to be able to run the football, the receivers are going to have to be able to block, and Corey takes a lot of pride in it.”

Not only will Davis’s downfield blocking ability help running back Derrick Henry, but it will benefit Brown tremendously. Being able to count on Davis to make a key block could allow Brown to put up even more explosive plays in 2020. Davis has also flashed signs of improvement in his pass-catching abilities so far in training camp. If both Davis and Brown can prove to be true threats on the outside, the Titans will have one of the most balanced offenses in the NFL.