When there were rumors that DeAndre could be a Titan throughout the off-season, I was sort of pessimistic about the idea, mostly because I really just didn't think he'd sign, so I just thought it was a senseless distraction, click bait.
I still have some questions about his overall health and durability as he enters his 30's, but I am warming to the idea of Hopkins and what he could provide the Titans.
I mean Hopkins does look pretty good in camp, maybe he'll be the same elite DeAndre as he has been for the majority of his career.
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A casual fan might think that the Titans are adding DeAndre to a team with zero wide receivers, but that is far from the truth.
With all of the hype around DeAndre joining the Titans, people seem to be forgetting about Treylon Burks. Treylon had a fair amount of injuries in his rookie season and in general had to adjust to the NFL as a whole. He definitely had a lot of growing pains in 2022.
Despite those decent challenges that Burks had to deal with, Burks still managed to really show what he's capable of in a a handful of games. Especially against the Packers!
In addition, there's been nothing but good news about Treylon since the season ended in January. Every article I've read and every video I have watched covering the Titans claims that Treylon looks like an entirely different, much improved player and a more mature player. In training camp and in earlier camps, Treylon has been Mossing dudes, and making one handed catches with regularity. Apparently, Burks stayed at the facility a lot in the off-season, basically lived there and stayed in shape and worked.
In all the videos I've seen in training camp, he does look pretty good.
It seems like Treylon might have a breakout year. If he does, and DeAndre is at least very close, if not equivalent, to prime DeAndre, the Titans could put up massive numbers in 2023 and be way more explosive than even when A.J. was on the team.
When the Titans had A.J. Brown and Corey Davis at wide receiver, the Titans were awesome offensively. The duo practically had 1,000 receiving yards a piece in 2020, but Davis finished with 984 yards while A.J. had 1,000+.
But I believe that Hopkins + Burks could be a lot better than Davis + Brown!
Brown is great, but if Hopkins can re-establish his dominance as a top wideout this season, the Brown-Hopkins comparison could be a wash.
Then there is Burks vs Davis. I personally believe that Burks can be significantly better than Davis. If Burks is significantly better than Davis, than the Titans might be on to something here....
What if Hopkins is the classic Hopkins, and Burks actually starts to reach the level of an A.J. or Hopkins in 2023? The possibilities are pretty mind boggling. How could defenses really handle the Titans? If those two go off, it will only help the rest of the offensive players on the team.
With Derrick Henry likely irritated at the running back market, and the approaching 30 year old RB narrative I expect he'll be motivated. Tannehill is forever underrated and pretty much entering a contract season so I expect he will be as sharp as possible.
I mean this is a lot of on paper scenarios, a lot of what ifs, but man. The Titans are going for it, that's for sure.
The potential of this duo has got me AMPED man!!!! Look out for these dawgs!!!!
Cornerbacks better put they're big boy pads on in 2023 if they gotta face these two!!!
