The Tennessee Titans had high expectations for wide receiver Treylon Burks after drafting him with the 18th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. After a challenging rookie year, Burks is shaping up to be a breakout player in 2023.
Burks, drafted to replace A.J. Brown, got off to a rough start in the NFL. He couldn’t make it through his first practice with the Titans, struggling with his conditioning. It would only be the start of a rookie season defined by setbacks.
- Treylon Burks stats: 33 receptions, 444 receiving yards, 13.5 yards per catch
The 6-foot-2 wide receiver suffered a turf toe injury in Week 4, sidelining him for a month. Weeks after he returned, Burks was injured on his first touchdown catch. Fortunately, he finished the season with 291 receiving yards in his final six games.
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After enjoying a healthy offseason, using that time to prepare for his second NFL season, Burks seems to already be emerging as a go-to target in the Titans’ offense. Titans’ reporter Jim Wyatt noted from OTAs that Burks is Ryan Tannehill’s “favorite target” and he didn’t see the second-year wide receiver drop a single ball thrown his way during OTAs.
- Treylon Burks advanced stats: 12.2 average target distance, 1.96 yards per route run, 13.5% juke rate, 1.76 target separation
Burks has an excellent opportunity in front of him this fall. Tennessee didn’t address wide receiver this offseason, creating a path to be the most-targeted player on the Titans’ roster. Given Tannehill’s other options at wide receiver are Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Kyle Phillips and Chris Moore, Burks could be peppered with targets all year.
Based on what Burks showed with limited looks last season, he can be a playmaker at the highest level. If the Titans throw the ball more this season, Burks should see 100-plus targets and with that will come excellent production.