Day 2 of the 2023 NFL draft came and went and the Tennessee Titans once again failed to add a much-needed wide receiver despite the position being priority No. 1 going into the three-day event.
Making matters worse, the Titans passed on wide receivers in favor of a trade up to draft quarterback Will Levis in the second round, and to make a selection of a running back, Tyjae Spears, in the third.
When asked about the decision to not take a wide receiver in the first three rounds, the answers coming from both head coach Mike Vrabel and general manager Ran Carthon simply weren’t acceptable.
Whatever the case may be, the Titans have one more day in this year’s draft on Saturday to grab at least one receiver, but the team is working against the fact that it doesn’t have a fourth-round pick to start the day.
Nevertheless, here’s a look at the best wide receivers available to Tennessee on Day 3 of the 2023 NFL draft (analysis of each pick comes via ESPN).
Tyler Scott, Cincinnati
Measurables: 5’10”, 177 lbs
Analysis:
Scott is one of the most talented receivers in this class. He tracks the deep ball well and has the second gear to take the top off the coverage. He is an instinctive open-field runner who is smooth turning upfield and pulls away from pursuit after the catch. Scott has a high ceiling as a route runner. — Steve Muench
WR A.T. Perry, Wake Forest
Measurables: 6’4”, 198 lbs
Analysis:
Perry has the speed to threaten vertically and the frame to win 50-50 balls downfield. He’s a technical route runner whose footwork and angles make up for average fluidity. He drifts into windows and boxes out defenders working against zone looks. Perry is a hands catcher with long arms and the ability to snag the ball out of the air, but he drops some balls he should catch. — Steve Muench
Charlie Jones, Purdue
Measurables: 5’11”, 175 lbs
Analysis:
Jones is a savvy route runner who gets in and out of breaks without gearing down and is an adept zone-beater. He has soft and reliable hands, and he transitions upfield effortlessly. Jones is quick and shows good open-field instincts after the catch. — Steve Muench
Antoine Green, North Carolina
Measurables: 6’2”, 199 lbs
Analysis:
Green ran well at the combine and appears even faster on tape. He separates late, tracks the ball well and doesn’t blink with safeties closing in on him. He flashes but is not as much of a threat after the catch and is not a polished route runner at this point. — Steve Muench
Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State
Measurables: 6’2”, 203 lbs
Analysis:
Hutchinson plucks the ball out of the air, flashes the ability to make the first defender miss and runs hard. He finds pockets in zone looks and has the toughness to make plays over the middle working out of the slot. And Hutchinson tracks the deep ball well, displaying the body control to adjust to back-shoulder throws. — Steve Muench
Parker Washington, Penn State
Measurables: 5’10”, 204 lbs
Analysis:
Washington is built like a running back, and his best asset is his ability to generate yards after the catch. He has a great combination of vision, elusiveness and body control. Washington has big hands and plucks the ball out of the air, but he’s not much of a vertical threat.– Steve Muench
Elijah Higgins, Stanford
Measurables: 6’3”, 235 lbs
Analysis:
Higgins is a big target and is at his best working out of the slot, using his wide frame to shield defenders from the ball over the middle. His frame makes him a threat when he gets single coverage in the red zone. He tracks the deep ball well and runs hard after the catch. — Steve Muench
Trey Palmer, Nebraska
Measurables: 6’0”, 192 lbs
Analysis:
Palmer ran the fourth-fastest 40-yard dash at the combine this year at 4.33 seconds. He is an explosive vertical route runner who gets off press and baits defensive backs before turning on the burners. He can dance too much after the catch, but he rarely gets caught from behind when he gets a crease. Palmer is not a precise intermediate route runner, though, and he has too many focus drops on tape. — Steve Muench
Dontayvion Wicks, Virginia
Measurables: 6’1”, 206 lbs
Analysis:
Wicks is a smart route runner with the foot speed to set up his inside/outside releases and quickly gain leverage getting off the line. He ran slower than expected at the combine, but he tracks the deep ball well and threatens vertically on tape. He’s an instinctive open-field runner who flashes after the catch. He dropped too many passes in 2022. — Steve Muench
Kayshon Boutte, LSU
Measurables: 5’11”, 195 lbs
Analysis:
Boutte is a fluid and sudden route runner who consistently generates separation. He quickly transitions upfield, shows great open-field vision and excels after the catch. His 11% career drop rate is concerning, but he has flashed strong hands and good focus in traffic. Boutte’s an effective gunner on the punt team. — Steve Muench
Ronnie Bell, Michigan
Measurables: 6’0”, 191 lbs
Analysis:
Bell is a savvy and crisp route runner who knows how to set up defensive backs and shows plus burst getting out of breaks. He has a good feel for how to attack zone looks. His ball skills are probably his strongest trait. Bell has good hand-eye coordination, can pluck the ball out of the air, has the body control to adjust and has good sideline awareness. — Steve Muench
Demario Douglas, Liberty
Measurables: 5’8”, 179 lbs
Analysis:
Douglas is a smaller slot receiver and return man who has the speed to make plays downfield, after the catch and in the return game. He’s an effective vertical route runner who uses head fakes and good footwork to rock defensive backs off-balance. He drives corners and then settles in their blind spots on comeback routes. — Steve Muench
Bryce Ford-Wheaton, West Virginia
Measurables: 6’4”, 221 lbs
Analysis:
Ford-Wheaton has a rare blend of size, speed and length. He’s smooth turning upfield, accelerates well for his size and runs hard after the catch. He has a wide catching radius, jumped 41 inches at the combine and flashes the ability to make contested catches. Ford-Wheaton has a high ceiling, but his ball skills are inconsistent and he averaged just 10.9 yards per catch in 2022. — Steve Muench
Jason Brownlee, Southern Mississippi
Measurables: 6’2”, 198 lbs
Analysis:
Brownlee has the big hands, long arms and leaping ability to come down with 50-50 balls. His timed speed (4.59) is slower than average, but when you throw on the tape, he flashes the ability to turn on the jets after the catch and stack corners running vertical routes. He averaged 16.2 yards per catch in 2022. — Steve Muench
Andrei Iosivas, Princeton
Measurables: 6’3”, 205 lbs
Analysis:
Iosivas tracks the deep ball well and has the frame to come down with 50-50 balls downfield. He flashes the ability to make the first defender miss and runs hard after the catch. Iosivas is also tough going over the middle and makes plays in traffic. — Steve Muench
Malik Knowles, Kansas State
Measurables: 6’2”, 196 lbs
Analysis:
Knowles is at his best with the ball in his hands, whether it’s after the catch, running the ball or returning kickoffs. He’s instinctive, quick, makes defenders miss and has good contact balance. He tracks the deep ball well, and he’s fast enough to threaten vertically. He’s a natural hands catcher who plucks the ball out of the air, makes contested catches in traffic and can make highlight-reel grabs. — Steve Muench
Jacob Copeland, Maryland
Measurables: 5’11”, 201 lbs
Analysis:
Copeland has the speed to threaten vertically and after the catch. He’s a hand catcher who does a good job of plucking on the run even though he has small hands. He has the toughness to work the middle of the field, but he’s not great in contested-catch situations. He has experience covering and returning kicks. — Steve Muench
Dontay Demus Jr., Maryland
Measurables: 6’3”, 212 lbs
Analysis:
Demus is smooth with the size and strength to get off the press. He locates and settles into pockets working against zone looks. Demus has a wide catch radius and shows the ability to snatch the ball away from defenders. — Steve Muench
Justin Shorter, Florida
Measurables: 6’4”, 229 lbs
Analysis:
Shorter has a massive frame, long arms and the buildup speed to threaten vertically. He can make difficult catches but has too many focus drops, body catches and double catches. He’s tough going over the middle and is an aggressive blocker who takes pride in sustaining. — Steve Muench
Derius Davis, TCU
Measurables: 5’8”, 165 lbs
Analysis:
Davis is a pint-sized slot receiver and return specialist with electrifying quickness and speed. He’s got good vision and the elusiveness to make defenders miss. With small hands and a small catch radius, he has been mostly reliable catching the ball underneath. — Steve Muench
Grant DuBose, Charlotte
Measurables: 6’2”, 201 lbs
Analysis:
DuBose is a physical and strong receiver at his best working the middle of the field. He has the body control to adjust in the air, and he’s effective running goal-line fades. He flashes the ability to come down with 50-50 balls downfield and runs hard after the catch, but DuBose doesn’t have the second gear to take the top off the coverage or pull away from pursuit. — Steve Muench
Puka Nacua, BYU
Measurables: 6’2”, 201 lbs
Analysis:
Nacua is a hands catcher who plucks passes out of the air and makes some impressive catches in 50-50 situations. He flashes excellent sideline awareness and shows the ability to get both feet down. His effort and vision make him a threat in the running game and after the catch. — Steve Muench
C.J. Johnson, East Carolina
Measurables: 6’2”, 224 lbs
Analysis:
Johnson had some great games on tape, and his highlight reel is impressive. He’s at his best after the catch thanks to his burst, open-field instincts and contact balance. He didn’t run at the combine, and he appears faster with the ball in his hands than he does without it, but he comes down with 50-50 balls and makes back-shoulder catches downfield. Johnson has the big hands to pluck the ball out of the air, too. — Steve Muench
David Durden, West Florida
Measurables: 6’2”, 200 lbs
Analysis:
Durden returned a punt for a touchdown in 2022, returned a kickoff for a touchdown in 2018 and made seven special teams’ tackles in 2018. He has the speed to threaten vertically, he tracks the ball well and he makes over-the-shoulder catches. He’s an instinctive open-field runner who is quick and runs hard. And Durden flashes the ability to make tough catches over the middle and win 50-50 balls. — Steve Muench
Xavier Gipson, Stephen F. Austin
Measurables: 5’9”, 170 lbs
Analysis:
Gipson is a small slot receiver whose burst getting out of breaks and after the catch stands out on tape. He’s an instinctive open-field runner with speed to threaten after the catch. His ability to get open quickly makes him a threat in the red zone, too. He’s a dangerous return man who returned four punts for touchdowns in college. — Steve Muench
