The Treylon Burks Conundrum: Is The Saga Over?

The drumbeats for the embattled third-year receiver continue to gather in crescendo after an offseason full of intrigue. Tennessee has sought upgrades to its receiver room throughout the offseason, whether it be through the draft or free agency.

Is The Treylon Burks Era Over in Tennessee?

What happened during the draft / free agency?

Free Agency

They signed Calvin Ridley to a megabucks deal, signaling the end of Burks’ tenure as WR2. Current Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, a Nashville native, was frequently connected to the franchise due to his ties to the state and coaching staff. The receiver said he would love to return home to play for the hometown team and familiar scheme. Alas, it was not to be, as the Titans moved on Ridley after Higgins received the franchise tag.

Draft

The Titans were heavily linked to the trio of receivers who went early in the first round, with Marvin Harrison, Jr. being the dream selection that never materialized. The connections to Rome Odunze and Malik Nabers came naturally, even with the massive fiscal layout given to Ridley. Per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Titans were in the running for Nabers to add to a budding array for Will Levis. Tennessee ultimately elected to continue the offensive line rebuild by selecting Alabama’s JC Latham. However, the organization did choose a receiver in the draft. They selected Jha’Quan Jackson in the sixth round out of Tulane.

Post Draft

GM Ran Carton’s team had some links to veterans Tyler Boyd and Zay Jones, who have ties to the new coaching staff. Both players visited Nashville in recent months as they explored their options in free agency. Jones visited the facility on Monday and left town without a deal. The news of Boyd signing a one-year pact broke on Tuesday afternoon.

What does it mean for Burks?

The rising third-year receiver is on the hot seat for an administration that didn’t draft him and recruited over him. He must impress them during OTAs and training camp to save his career in Nashville. Tennessee’s top three receivers are getting older, so there’s a chance that he’s still on the roster as a valuable reserve. For the first time in a long time, the receiver room isn’t bare bones behind a top player. For Burks, proving that his litany of injury issues is behind him will go a long way in retaining a roster spot. Perhaps there is a chance that the team will want him to build his trade value back up.

Who could trade for him?

There are teams that still need receivers postdraft after failing to address the position last month. Who are some of the teams that could tempt Tennessee into making a deal?

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas needs help behind superstar CeeDee Lamb and the aging Brandin Cooks. Burks provides a low-cost opportunity for America’s Team to be a more wide-open passing attack. It’s possible that Dak Prescott unlocks his potential in ways that Tennessee’s quarterback carousel never could. Trading for him now provides the Cowboys a one-season runway to see if he fits before deciding on his fifth-year option.

Baltimore Ravens

The perpetually receiver-needy Ravens still need some help, and Burks could provide that for a franchise that employs inconsistent pass catchers like Nelson Agholor and Rashod Bateman (whose fifth-year option wasn’t picked up). Burks could line up opposite the surging Zay Flowers and would join former Titans teammate Derrick Henry in Baltimore.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The denizens of Steel City did draft Roman Wilson in the third round to help offset the loss of Diontae Johnson in free agency, but they need more help. They were purportedly in the mix to trade for Brandon Aiyuk before or during the draft, so they’re clearly looking to upgrade behind George Pickens.