To say that the Treylon Burks experiment has not panned out for the Tennessee Titans is putting it gently. In two seasons since being drafted in the first round to replace outgoing wide receiver A.J. Brown, Burks has accumulated only 665 yards and one receiving touchdown.
The former 18th overall selection has appeared in only 22 of a possible 34 games.
It is tough to blame Burks for his failure to flourish in the NFL. The 24-year old wide out has struggled to stay healthy, dealing with concussions (two), multiple knee and ligament sprains as well as turf toe. Availability is the greatest ability in the pro football, however, as the saying goes.
The Titans signed veteran receiver Calvin Ridley to a four-year, $92 million deal in free agency last month to help support second-year quarterback Will Levis. DeAndre Hopkins was a godsend for Tennessee in 2023, becoming the first receiver to eclipse 1,000 yards for the franchise since Brown in 2020, and has one season remaining on his current deal. Burks will have the opportunity to carve out a role under new coach Brian Callahan and his staff.
16 catches for a paltry 221 yards without a score last season for the Arkansas product simply will not do.
“Treylon’s potential is very high," said offensive coordinator Nick Holz on Wednesday. "First-round pick, we see all the talent. But he’s going to get what he earns. He’s got a skill set that he’s a big guy and can run and make contested catches. If he can find a way to do that for us, that’d be a pretty big addition.”
NFL football players have a 100% chance of injury. There simply is no avoiding it.
Unfortunately for Burks and for the Titans, the ground work has already been laid to move on from him at the end of his rookie deal if the situation proves to be unsalvageable. Ridley's presence and re-signing 2020 undrafted rookie free agent Nick Westbrook-Ikhine drops Burks to fourth, at-best, on the depth chart. This month's draft will likely see general manager Ran Carthon select a rookie to add to the room, making Burks that much more expendable.
2024 will be the defining season for Burks in Tennessee.
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