The Tennessee Titans made one of the biggest splashes of the offseason when they signed wide receiver Calvin Ridley to a blockbuster contract. Pairing him with DeAndre Hopkins, the Titans have two reliable veterans who should be able to provide adequate support for second-year quarterback Will Levis. However, the Ridley signing will have a ripple effect, as former first-round pick Treylon Burks is reportedly on the trade block.
Originally selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Titans desperately needed a receiver after sending A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles. So, using the 18th overall pick in the draft, the Titans selected a player with a remarkably similar skillset. Unfortunately, Treylon Burks has not been able to match Brown’s on-field production, and the poor results of that trade are a big reason for Tennessee’s downward spiral over the last two years.
To be fair, Burks showed some flashes as a rookie. Appearing in 11 games while making six starts, the Arkansas product finished his rookie season with 33 receptions for 444 yards and a touchdown on 54 targets. Injuries were an issue, but it appeared as though the wideout might have a future in the league. Unfortunately, he took a major step back in 2023, recording just 16 receptions for 221 yards in 11 games.
Seeing the Jets connected to trade rumors at the WR position. I’m thinking Treylon Burks is in contention here.
— Cam Marino (@MarinoNFL) March 17, 2024
Treylon Burks Reportedly On Trade Block, Jets Connected to Former First-Round Receiver
The Titans are not going to get a great return on investment here. After two disappointing seasons, the only teams interested in a Treylon Burks trade would be trying to catch lightning in a bottle. While the last two seasons were nothing special, there is a reason he was a first-round pick in the first place, and a change of scenery could bring out the best in him.
With this in mind, it’s easy to see why the Jets are interested in a Treylon Burks trade. Even if they do get Mike Williams, they still need a third option. New York is actively shopping Allen Lazard, which heavily implies they do not believe he can be a factor even with Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback. At the very least, Burks offers upside, which is something that cannot be said of Lazard.
Of course, the Jets won’t be the only teams interested in a Treylon Burks trade. There are not enough good wide receivers to go around, and a few organizations need to look for talent anywhere it might be. In no particular order, these five teams make the most sense as potential landing spots.
Possible Fits
New England Patriots
The Patriots have done next to nothing to add talent to the wide receiver position. While Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas, and the newly-signed K.J. Osborn are all adequate depth pieces, they need a player with some upside. Treylon Burks is no superstar, but the Patriots might be willing to trade a late-round pick for his services. In all likelihood, Burks will be an overlooked part of a mediocre passing attack, but there is an outside shot he will turn into a decent option in New England.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers don’t have the resources to acquire a true top receiver for Bryce Young. So, they’re doing the next best thing by surrounding him with an army of adequate players. Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen are both solid receivers, but they could use a third option. While the team will almost certainly draft a wide receiver in the second round, they could also trade a late-round pick for Treylon Burks. Worst comes to worst, this team can just throw these receivers at the proverbial wall and see what sticks.
Los Angeles Chargers
After releasing Mike Williams and trading Keenan Allen, the Los Angeles Chargers have the worst wide receiver depth chart in football. If there’s one young first-round receiver who’s had a worse start to his career than Treylon Burks, it’s Quentin Johnston. The odds of either player working out in the long term are pretty slim, but one of these two may find a way to turn it around.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints have Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and nobody else of note at the wide receiver position. Derek Carr could use another set of hands if he wants to keep pace with the improved NFC South teams, and the Saints could accomplish this with a Treylon Burks trade. New Orleans has four picks in the fifth round, and they should be able to justify parting with one of them for a high-upside dart throw.
Baltimore Ravens
Odell Beckham is not coming back to the Ravens, which means Baltimore will need another wide receiver next year. With cap space at a premium due to all their impending free agents, the Ravens might decide to trade for Treylon Burks rather than engage in a bidding war with older free agents.
Main Photo: Andrew Nelles – USA Today Sports
