The Tennessee Titans are coming off a 3-14 campaign, but after landing the first pick and taking QB Cam Ward, there has been a renewed sense of optimism around the future of the franchise.
The club struggled to finish games with turnover-prone Will Levis or Mason Rudolph under center, but Ward can come in instantly and provide a more tantalizing ceiling for an offense that could use some juice.
Ward has drawn comparisons to Patrick Mahomes, but it’s unlikely the 23-year-old will find similar instant success with his substandard offensive cast. Tyjae Spears and Tony Pollard are a fine backfield duo, with Calvin Ridley a viable top threat on the outside, but Tennessee could use some more experienced pass catchers on the roster.
One former NFL quarterback is suggesting a pair of wide receivers who deserve a chance to shine in Nashville.
While on a Bleacher Report digital exclusive, former league backup Kurt Benkert listed two free-agent targets that could succeed with the Titans:
DJ Clark and Gabe Davis.
“Give me DJ Chark as a flyer to the Titans,” Benkert said. “He’s a guy that’s always had potential but hasn’t been healthy enough to stay on the field. Give him one more chance and see if Cam Ward can bring out the best in the former great LSU wide receiver. If they don’t go the Chark route, give me the Titans to snag Gabe Davis on the flyer route again. He can be another veteran presence, maybe have a resurgence, for a rookie quarterback that will need some help.”
Tennessee already made moves for veterans Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson this offseason. Former Stanford product Elic Ayomanor has a chance to emerge as a starter quickly, with fellow rookie Chimere Dike also in the fold.
That’s not even to mention UDFA Xavier Restrepo, who has turned heads in camp, along with former first-round pick Treylon Burks.
The WR room is far from elite, but it’s crowded as it is and has a fine blend of experienced and fresh faces that could hopefully develop to at least give Ward average support.
Davis and Chark are fun burners that can stretch the field vertically, but drops and injuries, respectively, have plagued their careers.
Tennessee should be in the market if a true WR1 hits the market, but should be content currently, seeing what they have in-house.
