While the Tennessee Titans didn’t use early-round draft capital on a wide receiver, they did sign veteran Tyler Boyd to a one-year deal on Tuesday worth up to $4.5 million.
The Titans haven’t been shy about surrounding second-year QB Will Levis with offensive weapons in 2024. Boyd joins a depth chart that added fellow free agent signings in RB Tony Pollard and WR Calvin Ridley this offseason and already included WR DeAndre Hopkins and TE Chig Okonkwo.
Where do all these moves leave 2022 first-round WR Treyon Burks? Let’s explore the best landing spots for Burks, who could become a trade candidate now that Tennessee has brought in other receiving options.
Top Landing Spots for Titans WR Treylon Burks
The Titans would be selling low on Burks, who’s posted only 49 catches for 665 yards and one touchdown since Tennessee made him the No. 18 pick two years ago. Multiple concussions and knee injuries have hindered his early NFL career, but Burks could still have fans around the league.
However, neither general manager Ran Carthon nor head coach Brian Callahan was in Tennessee when former Titans decision-makers Jon Robinson and Mike Vrabel drafted Burks, so it won’t be a complete surprise if they decide to move on.
Burks is affordable. Any club that acquires the 24-year-old will have him under contract through 2025 for roughly $4.5 million. In the event of a trade, Burks’ fifth-year option decision for 2026 will transfer to his next organization.
Let’s run through five teams that might be interested in Burks if the Titans put him on the trade block.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers were reportedly interested in trading for a wideout like the San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk during the 2024 NFL Draft, but no deal ever came to fruition. While the Steelers added Roman Wilson in Round 3, the Michigan product will primarily line up in the slot.
At 6’2″ and 225 pounds, Burks has the size to line up on the outside opposite George Pickens. Pittsburgh took low-cost free agent fliers on Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins this offseason, but the league probably knows what those veterans are capable of. Burks is a little more tantalizing and could offer untapped upside for the Steelers.
MORE: Brandon Aiyuk Trade Rumors: 49ers Wanted a First-Rounder
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens used a fourth-round pick on North Carolina WR Devontez Walker, but they could stand to add another option alongside Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Nelson Agholor, especially after failing to re-sign Odell Beckham Jr.
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta is always willing to look for value, so acquiring Burks for pennies on the dollar may hold some appeal. Baltimore is among the NFL’s most salary cap-strapped teams this season and next, but Burks’ cheap rookie contract would fit onto their books.
Los Angeles Chargers
Sure, the Los Angeles Chargers grabbed Georgia’s Ladd McConkey at the top of the second round before using seventh-round choices on fellow WRs Brenden Rice and Cornelius Johnson. Still, the Bolts’ post-Keenan Allen/Mike Williams WR depth chart was so depleted entering the offseason that another addition like Burks could make sense.
A player-for-player might be on the table if the Chargers don’t want to give up picks for Burks. Tennessee added plenty of corners this offseason but could be interested in a Los Angeles safety like 2022 third-round pick JT Woods.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys were the quietest team of the 2024 NFL offseason. Jerry Jones and Co. cut Michael Gallup, then failed to add another wide receiver until picking Southeastern Missouri State’s Ryan Flournoy in Round 6.
As it stands, the Cowboys are counting on 2022 third-rounder Jalen Tolbert to step up and become a starter alongside veterans CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks. While Dallas could lean into more 12 personnel with TEs Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker, acquiring a young talent like Burks should be on the Cowboys’ radar.
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New Orleans Saints
Speaking of teams that might count on inexperienced options in 2024, the New Orleans Saints have A.T. Perry and Bub Means as potential wide receivers behind starters Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Perry flashed in limited 2023 opportunities, and Means has his fans, but New Orleans might want to think about adding more WR depth.
The Saints have all but given up on 2022 first-round offensive tackle Trevor Penning and replaced him by selecting fellow OT Taliese Fuaga in this year’s draft. Could New Orleans and Tennessee be interested in a Penning-for-Burks deal?