Analyst tabs Tennessee Titans' Treylon Burks as a bust candidate
One of the best stories to come out of Phase 3 of the Tennessee Titans' OTAs was the return of wide receiver Treylon Burks to the field in a limited capacity.
Burks, who is recovering from an ACL injury that cost him most of the 2024 season, was not expected back until the start of the regular season. However, he did return to the field for positional drills over the last three weeks of practice. Although he was unable to participate in team drills, this was an essential step in his recovery process.
Burks' struggles in Nashville have been well documented, so it's no surprise Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports mentioned his name in his article featuring nine potential first-round busts heading into the 2025 season. After being selected No. 18 in the 2022 NFL draft, Burks has been plagued by bad luck and has not been able to live up to the expectations that were set by his selection.
Treylon Burks - Tennessee Titans
The minute the Tennessee Titans made Burks their first-round pick, the Arkansas product faced unfair expectations, literally entering with the selection acquired in the club's trade of star wide receiver A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles. Things have only gone downhill since then, with Burks missing a combined 25 games due to various injuries, including a torn ACL, over his first three seasons. His best bet for 2025 is quietly building chemistry with new quarterback Cam Ward as the team's No. 3 pass catcher.
Why he will bust: There's hardly a role for him anymore, with Tyler Lockett added as a Calvin Ridley complement.
Why he won't: Both Ridley and Lockett are over 30, and Ward could be a major upgrade distributing the rock.
Our prediction: Will bust
Burks faces an uphill climb heading into training camp. Not only did the Titans add significant competition to the wide receiver room, but he is still rehabbing his ACL injury and has not been cleared for team activities.
A physical receiver, Burks does have a skill set that could still allow him to carve out a role if he is healthy. Unfortunately, his health and injury history have hindered his development since the Titans drafted him.
Will he be on the roster at the start of the 2025 NFL season? No one can tell at this point, but Brian Callahan and the Titans' staff will give him every opportunity IF he is healthy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
a few seconds ago
- New York Post
The right man to take on a missing Giants burden
Everyone recognizes Dexter Lawrence's greatness. He's one of the five or 10 best defensive players in the NFL. He's doing things defensive tackles — especially at his size — have never really done before. He's on a Ring of Honor and perhaps even Hall of Fame trajectory. But it would be beneficial to the Giants for Lawrence to go outside his comfort zone and take on a role he's previously been reluctant to assume: Advertisement Bona fide leader. Face of the team. Voice of the locker room.
Newsweek
2 minutes ago
- Newsweek
How to Buy New Orleans Saints Alternate Gold Jerseys: Shop New 2025-26 NFL Gear
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The New Orleans Saints officially unveiled their new alternate jerseys for the upcoming NFL season on Tuesday, and they are already a hit amongst the fans. A New Orleans Saints football helmet on the field before a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 23, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. A New Orleans Saints football helmet on the field before a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 23, 2024 in Green Bay, Saints will represent one of the more unknown teams heading into the 2025-26 NFL season, with much up in the air on the direction the franchise is headed. What we do know is they will hit the field in style when they wear their new gold alternate uniforms. The jerseys will make the switch with their helmets and will feature the "Saints Gold" colorway for select games, when they decide to adopt this look. They very well might end up being one of the most popular jerseys in New Orleans by the time the season ends. The new jerseys, along with other new gold products, are now available for fans to purchase. You can get your hands on a number of different players "Nike Gameday Golds", including Kool-Aid McKinstry, Rashid Shaheed, Alvin Kamara, Taysom Hill, Tyrann Mathieu, Chris Olave, and Cameron Jordan. Click on any of the images or links to order now. Place your order before it is too late, as these will be in high demand. Fanatics has you covered with officially licensed New Orleans Saints gold alternate jerseys. NFL Alvin Kamara New Orleans Saints Nike Gameday Golds Alternate Vapor F.U.S.E. Limited Jersey - Gold Alvin Kamara New Orleans Saints Nike Gameday Golds Alternate Vapor F.U.S.E. Limited Jersey - Gold Fanatics Shop New Orleans Saints Gold Alternate Jerseys NFL Ga'Quincy McKinstry New Orleans Saints Nike Gameday Golds Alternate Game Player Jersey - Gold Ga'Quincy McKinstry New Orleans Saints Nike Gameday Golds Alternate Game Player Jersey - Gold Fanatics Shop New Orleans Saints Gold Alternate Jerseys NFL Taysom Hill New Orleans Saints Nike Gameday Golds Alternate Game Player Jersey - Gold Taysom Hill New Orleans Saints Nike Gameday Golds Alternate Game Player Jersey - Gold Fanatics Shop New Orleans Saints Gold Alternate Jerseys If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Is Tuli Tuipulotu the next Joey Bosa for the Chargers? Edge rusher 'does it all'
Tuli Tuipulotu is still finding his voice. Naturally, he speaks through force on the field — a relentless pass rusher with a patented spin move that is disruptive to most offenses. Yet the third-year edge rusher for the Chargers remains reserved and soft-spoken in the locker room, still growing into his presence. 'He's a quiet dude,' said Khalil Mack. 'But when he speaks up, everybody listens.' In the past, the homegrown talent — a Lawndale High product who played just 10 minutes from the Chargers' facility — identified himself as an 'underdog.' Now, he's coming into his own vocally, stepping out of that label and doing it so convincingly that Mack, a future Hall of Famer, wants even more from him. Read more: With Mike Williams gone, Quentin Johnston confident he can deliver for Chargers 'When we're on the field, signals being called on the sidelines, he kind of calls it,' Mack added. 'He's always been that guy anyway. Just to hear him speak in the room and speak in a group, amongst the defense, everybody hears him loud and clear.' Since his rookie year, Tuipulotu has filled in as a spot starter. But with franchise stalwart Joey Bosa's departure to Buffalo in the offseason, Tuipulotu could be primed for a breakout season, becoming a central piece in what was the top-ranked defense last season. Even with more snaps and higher expectations, his standard hasn't changed. 'I've been starting since my rookie year, and if that's my role this year, then it's going to feel the same,' Tuipulotu said. 'I don't think it's anything different from what I've been doing.' What has changed is Tuipulotu's role as a leader. Read more: Chargers got more 'Tongan Power' than expected when they drafted Tuli Tuipulotu 'That comes with credibility,' he said. 'You can't just talk and not have stuff to back you up. I wouldn't say I've been talking too much, but I've been talking enough.' Last season, Tuipulotu boosted his credibility by filling in for Mack, who missed time because of an injury, and Bosa, who could never get fully healthy when trying to return from injury. Despite starting just nine games, Tuipulotu logged 732 defensive snaps — a heavy workload that showcased his rising potential. He led the Chargers with 8½ sacks and emerged as a key piece of a defense that ranked top seven in total sacks (46). The conversation now shifts to Tuipulotu's ceiling. With Bosa gone, he'll take over a starting role and see a major uptick in snaps. Still, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and veterans such as Mack remain measured — careful not to pile too much pressure or expectation on the 22-year-old. Even so, those around him can't help but be impressed by his playmaking ability and growing comfort in Year 2 of Minter's system. 'The really good players — can they do what you want them to do, but also have that little magic where sometimes they go outside of their realm and make a play?' Minter said. 'They've always been that way, and he can be that.' Opposite him on the edge, Mack says he is 'taking all the steps and is playing all the different roles — inside, outside, dropping [into coverage]. He does it all.' 'I want to see him ball and make plays this year,' Mack added. 'Not putting too much on him. I know what I expect from him this year … [It's] just letting it happen naturally, just putting the action to it and not speaking on it too much.' Early in his career, Tuipulotu's versatility kept him on the field, particularly on special teams — a role that might now take a back seat despite his influence. As a backup, he logged 339 snaps on kickoff and field-goal units, second most on the team. While Tuipulotu stays willing to contribute wherever needed, his coaches remain cautious, careful not to overextend him or slow his defensive development. Read more: With Chargers back in San Diego, players hope to win back their traditional fan base 'You wish you could clone and have a bunch of him,' special teams coach Ryan Ficken said. 'But there's some give and take. Now you gotta take [his starting role] into consideration. … He wants to do it all. He wants to play on all those phases, and it's just going to depend on the situation.' Those around Tuipulotu are noticing his growing confidence — through his actions on the field and his voice off it. Building that confidence has been a key focus early in training camp, and he aims to carry it through the season. With his elevated responsibilities, confidence will be key to his success as he steps into a new position that comes with leadership expectations and greater demands. For now, though, he isn't making it bigger than it needs to be. 'It's a game,' Tuipulotu said, nonchalantly. 'It's not hard to go out there and do your best. This is what we do. This is what we love to do.' Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
