The Tennessee Titans were on the wrong end of what already appears to be one of the worst trades in NFL history.
During the 2022 NFL Draft, the Titans traded star wide receiver A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles for a first-round pick and a third-round pick in the 2022 draft. With that No. 18 pick, the Titans selected Treylon Burks, who the team assuredly thought would take over Brown’s role.
Instead, Brown has cemented himself as one of the best receivers in the league while Burks has done absolutely nothing. The Arkansas product has only played in 27 games over three seasons and has caught just 53 passes for 699 yards and one touchdown.
With a new regime in Nashville, it’s possible the team is ready to cut bait on Burks. Due to Burks’ being a first-round pick and an extremely productive receiver in college, some teams may still be willing to take a flier.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently identified the Buffalo Bills as a logical landing spot for Burks. Knox believes a fifth-round selection could get the deal done for Burks.
Regarding this potential deal, Burks offered the following:
A team that believes it can get more out of Burks could be willing to take a flier before the final year of his rookie deal—we’ll assume that Tennessee won’t pick up his fifth-year option before the May 1 deadline.
The Titans could be willing to move Burks for Day 3 compensation too. They’re widely expected to use the No. 1 overall selection on Miami quarterback Cam Ward, and trading Burks could open up playing time for a more reliable receiver—possibly, another highly-drafted rookie.
Burks would make the most sense for teams with established quarterbacks and creative offensive play callers. Both the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs would be logical suitors.
In Buffalo, he could develop as an ancillary target behind receivers like Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer and Khalil Shakir.
As Knox pointed out, Buffalo might be the best possible situation for Burks. The receiver would be catching passes from one of the game’s best quarterbacks in Josh Allen, and Burks wouldn’t have any pressure.
In Buffalo, Burks would theoretically be behind Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and new addition Joshua Palmer on the depth chart. Burks would be able to shake off the bust label in a new place, and the Titans would no longer have to worry about developing him.
It would be disappointing for the Titans to walk away with just a fifth-round pick, but getting anything for Burks at this point would be a plus.