In 2019, it is crucial that the wide receivers of the Tennessee Titans step up and provide consistency around Marcus Mariota. Since entering the league, Mariota’s receivers have been no better than an average group which is a significant reason he has struggled to produce outstanding numbers from year to year. With the loss of Delanie Walker in Week One, the lack of production out of the wide receiver position was put on display. Let’s take a look at the 2019 receiving corps, which includes two newcomers looking to make an instant impact.
Preview and Stat Projections for the Tennessee Titans Wide Receivers
Corey Davis
Davis, the former number five overall pick in the 2017 draft is of course expected to be the lead dog in the receiver group. Davis has shown flashes that he can live up to the top receiver role in Tennessee but not with the expected amount of consistency. In 2018, Davis posted 65 receptions, 891 yards, and four touchdowns, as well as two clutch game-winning touchdowns in Nashville vs the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Jets. The noise coming out of training camp is that Davis looks better than he ever has and Titans fans are counting on a big year from him. Going into year three with Mariota, I expect another jump in production out of Davis.
Stat Projection: 75 receptions, 1,050 yards, nine touchdowns.
Adam Humphries
The Titans signed Humphries to a four-year, $36 million deal this off-season away from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his final season in Tampa Bay, Humphries had his best year of production with 76 receptions, 816 yards, as well as five touchdowns. I see this signing as a pivotal and under the radar addition for Marcus Mariota. A quarterback’s best friend is a security blanket out of the slot who is always open. (See Tom Brady with Julian Edelman) Mariota has never had any consistency or star power at the slot position and Humphries could be the guy we have all been waiting for. While Humphries is going to be a significant part of the Titans offense, it is hard to say his production will skyrocket as Delanie Walker will take a ton of targets in Humphries’ area of operation on the field.
Stat Projection: 60 receptions, 700 yards, four touchdowns.
A.J. Brown
Brown was selected 51st overall in the 2019 draft by way of Ole Miss. Brown produced 2,572 yards and 17 touchdowns over his final two seasons as a Rebel in Oxford. Many analysts had Brown as their top-rated receiver on the board ahead of the 2019 draft but for one reason or another, he fell to Tennessee and filled a huge area of need on the Titans roster. In his rookie season, Brown is slated to start at outside receiver, opposite of Corey Davis. I see Brown making an early impact and showing flashes of the elite playmaking skills he displayed in college as Brown excels in the deep ball and yards after catch game.
Stat Projection: 45 Receptions, 650 Yards, five touchdowns.
Taywan Taylor
Taylor, also a member of the 2017 draft class, has legit 4.4 speed and from time to time shows an exceptional ability to take the top off of the defense. Unfortunately, he hasn’t shown any level of consistency which is likely a major reason the Titans brought in Humphries and Brown this off-season. I predict Taylor will make the 53-man roster and contribute some but don’t expect a huge jump in production coming into his third year.
Stat Projection: 20 receptions, 300 yards, one touchdown.
Tajae Sharpe
Sharpe is similar to Taylor in the fact that he makes plays from time to time but never produces from one game to the next. Assuming he makes the roster, don’t expect him to see the field too often. He’ll be there to give a guy a break or in five-wide sets but I see this year being the worse season of production in his young career.
Stat Projection: 15 receptions, 165 yards, one touchdown.
