The NFL is starting to be taken over by star wide receivers, including Odell Beckham Jr., Antonio Brown, Julio Jones, A.J. Green, and Dez Bryant, just to name a few. Also, teams are starting to build up incredible depth at the wide receiver position, such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Denver Broncos, the Green Bay Packers, the New England Patriots (yes, Rob Gronkowski counts), and the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, the media has missed the emergence of one of the most talented groups of the receivers in the NFL. This group of six receivers could not be named by most outside of the home state of the franchise. This group of receivers plays for the Tennessee Titans.
The NFL’s Forgotten Six: The Tennessee Titans Wide Receivers
Dorial Green-Beckham
Dorial Green-Beckham, or DGB, as Titans fans like to call him, is one of the most promising receivers in the NFL today. Standing at 6’6 and weighing in at around 230 pounds, DGB is a force to be reckoned with. He has enormous hands and just enough speed to make him very dangerous. He has everything that he needs to be great. The problems he has had have been, and not limited to, off the field trouble and consistency.
He missed a year of football in college for drug problems and was kicked off the Missouri football team. This has really put him behind the eight ball. He did not show the ability to make plays consistently last season. He looked lost on routes and dropped some easy receptions. But, he came into camp this year lighter, stronger, faster, and smarter. He knows how grueling an NFL season is. He knows that the team expects him to be elite. Undoubtedly, having a more experienced Marcus Mariota also helps. With all the physical traits he has and the change in his commitment level, he is bound to take the NFL by storm.
Justin Hunter
If DGB sounded like a long shot to be a star, just wait and hear the story of Justin Hunter. Hunter was the Titans’ second-round pick out of UT-Knoxville in 2013. He was hyped to be something this organization had never seen before. This guy had arms that looked like spaghetti and a huge, huge wingspan. That’s about all the Titans’ have seen from him since he arrived. He dropped a lot of balls in his first two seasons and wasn’t able to get on the same page with Jake Locker or Mariota. He has had a few great catches here and there, but nothing that looked overly promising.
Going into training camp, he is on the roster bubble. No roster spot is guaranteed this time around.
However, things are starting to change for Hunter according to Titans Senior writer Jim Wyatt. Hunter stated that “I am very anxious. I just want to stay healthy, and be able to help my teammates out there. It is not fun to be sitting.” Of course, everyone could say that and not mean it. But, there is something different about Hunter at the start of camp. He has moved very fluidly and looks like he has regained his confidence. Finally, he is looking like he is on the same page with Mariota. If Hunter can make this roster, there is a very good chance there has been major improvement.
Check out Part Two of the Article on August 14th.
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