Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel understands his team has a pretty weak wide receiver room heading into 2023, and that they need to improve that situation in the coming weeks.
The Tennessee Titans have made headlines this offseason due to the players they have cut or could soon trade instead of notable additions from outside the organization. Suffice it to say, the team now has a few more weaknesses than before this offseason. One of those is their already weak wide receiver room, especially after the team cut Robert Woods last month.
On Wednesday, head coach Mike Vrabel admitted as much in a conversation with the team’s website.
“I think we are trying to put the right pieces in place. Whether it’s a big, fast guy, a small, fast guy. [Whether] it’s a smaller, quicker player. You’re trying to find what the fit and the value are at every position. [General Manager Ran Carthon] and I and everybody on the coaching staff, personnel side, we all understand we are going to have to find some guys to get open, catch the ball, and that are hard to tackle after we catch it. So, we are going to continue to do that.”
– Mike Vrabel
The Tennessee Titans are now $8 million under the salary cap (via Spotrac) and could add more space if a rumored trade of team legend Derrick Henry becomes a reality in the near future. With that in mind, here are five players they could target on the NFL free agent and trade market to bolster their receiving corps.
Odell Beckham Jr.
Odell Beckham Jr. is the top wideout left in free agency. While he seems more likely to head to a big market team — the Giants, Jets, and Cowboys — there is a possibility he could be drawn to Tennessee for a greater role on their offense and more money. Previously, the three-time Pro Bowler was reportedly looking for a deal worth $20 million a season, however, that asking price has allegedly fallen to a range the Titans could meet.
Brandon Aiyuk
The San Franciso 49ers are soon going to be in a difficult position after Brandon Aiyuk had a breakout 1,015-yard and eight-touchdown season in 2022. They are not going to be able to afford to keep him, George Kittle, and Deebo Samuel on the payroll long-term if he keeps up this pace heading into free agency in two years. That is why there have been rumors the 49ers could trade him this off-season.
While it is unlikely, risking a second-day pick on a player with serious upside like Aiyuk isn’t out of the question for the Tennessee Titans.
DeAndre Hopkins
DeAndre Hopkins has been on the trade block for weeks and his value is trending down to a place the Titans could be very comfortable with. Sure, he is not in his prime anymore at 30, and with 10 seasons of wear and tear on his body. However, the multi-time Pro Bowler would still be a massive upgrade over what they had last season and would give them the sort of defensive focus that could help players like 2022 rookie Treylon Burks have more opportunities to shine and develop.
Allen Robinson
The Los Angeles Rams have been in a similar situation to Tennessee this offseason and have looked to cut a lot of money off their payroll. The next star player likely to be off the roster is one-time Pro Bowler Allen Robinson. While he had a down season last year, he is still a player that has had 1,100 yards or more in three seasons and at 29 can be a legitimate WR1 for the next couple of seasons.
Hunter Renfrow
The Las Vegas Raiders have been very aggressive and busy altering their roster over the last two months. Before NFL free agency, the team was reportedly interested in moving veterans Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow. Waller is now on the Giants, and Renfrow could still be up for grabs.
The one-time Pro Bowler had an injury-filled season in 2022 and posted the worst numbers of his career. But, at 27 he would offer the Tennessee Titans a player still in their prime and, like the other players on this list, be a major upgrade over what they currently have on the roster at receiver.
