The Tennessee Titans loaded up on wide receivers in the offseason, which means they could cut former first-round pick Treylon Burks. Selected with the 18th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Arkansas product showed some signs of life as a rookie but only played in 11 games. However, he couldn’t build on those flashes of greatness, as he recorded just 16 receptions for 221 yards and no touchdowns in 2023. Tenessee hired a new coach and brought in wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd, Burks might not have a chance to save with career with the new-look Titans.
Tennessee has tried to build trade interest in Treylon Burks, but the fact of the matter is that they might have to cut their losses. Even though it wouldn’t take more than a seventh-round pick to secure his services, teams don’t want to take on the heavy guarantees in Burks’ contract. However, this doesn’t mean he won’t find a new home eventually. After the Titans release him and Burks clears waivers, all 32 teams could sign him to a cheaper contract. While any team could take a risk on the former first-round pick, the Los Angeles Chargers and Carolina Panthers make the most sense.
Treylon Burks Could Be Cut – Chargers, Panthers Possible Suitors
Treylon Burks won’t need to play like a first-round pick to make the cut on the Los Angeles Chargers roster. Jim Harbaugh can talk up Quentin Johnston as much as he wants, but there is no denying that this group of pass-catchers is completely devoid of talent. Despite Harbaugh’s praise, reports indicate that the former first-round pick is buried on the depth chart behind second-round pick Ladd McConkey and journeymen Joshua Palmer and DJ Chark.
McConkey has some potential, but the rest of the depth chart is remarkably unremarkable. Justin Herbert is incredible, but he won’t be able to take down the Kansas City Chiefs with this supporting cast. Treylon Burks might not be a superstar, but the cut candidate has some untapped potential. If he can unleash even the slightest percentage of what made him a first-round pick, then he should be the second-best receiver in this offense.
High-Upside Depth for Bryce Young
2023 first-overall pick Bryce Young failed to make the most of a terrible situation last year. Working with arguably the worst supporting cast in football, the Alabama product finished at or near the bottom of just about every passing statistic in the league. The Panthers are giving him a much-deserved second chance, reinforcing the offensive line while adding two notable pass-catching threats in Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette. However, they could still use more depth, and Treylon Burks would make sense if the Titans cut him.
Terrace Marshall is a lost cause, and Jonathan Mingo had an atrocious rookie season. Xavier Legette has plenty of potential, but the wide receiver didn’t break out until his fifth collegiate season, so he might need some time to adjust to the NFL world. Treylon Burks might not be the picture of reliability, but the cut candidate could battle for a spot on the bottom of this roster.
Main Photo: Andrew Nelles – USA Today Sports
