It’s no secret that the Tennessee Titans’ wide receivers room isn’t exactly a group of world-beaters at the moment.
This unit could use all the help it can get, especially with the recent loss of rookie wideout Treylon Burks, who is out at least three more games due to a turf toe injury.
Naturally, any competent receiver that’s rumored to be on the trading block is going to intrigue a large portion of this fanbase.
That’s exactly what happened when a ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that multiple teams have been inquiring about the availability of New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne.
The New England pass-catcher has had a pedestrian campaign thus far, catching only 11 passes for 156 yards through the first six weeks of the season.
Bourne’s overall role within the offense is seemingly diminishing by the week. He has only been targeted once per game over the last two games, while also appearing in just six percent of the offense’s snaps in Week 6.
Also, according to the Sports Info Solutions data, the Eastern Washington Product is currently the fourth-most targeted wide receiver on his own team behind Jakobi Meyers, Devante Parker, and Nelson Agholor.
This is an extremely shocking development considering the Oregon native had a career year just a season ago. Bourne set and/or tied his career-highs in receptions (55), yards (800), and touchdowns (five) during his first season in New England.
It remains to be seen how serious the Patriots are about potentially moving on from Bourne. However, a deal seems realistically possible from the outside looking in, and the Titans should be interested.
The veteran wideout signed a reasonable three-year, $15 million deal with the Pats last offseason. However, he only has about a season and a half of that deal remaining.
The Titans would be on the hook for what’s left of Bourne’s $3.5 million 2022 base salary, and if things don’t work out, the Titans can get out of Bourne’s 2023 $4.75 million base salary with a $1.4 million dead cap charge.
The expected trade compensation is most likely going to be something equivalent to a mid-to-late-round pick(s). It should also be noted that Tennessee is already short of a fourth-round selection next spring.
Therefore, if they’re going to part ways with another mid-to-late-round pick, they have to do everything possible to make sure they make the most out of the trade, especially when the middle rounds seem to be where the team has the most success when it comes to identifying talent through the draft.
Should a move like this occur, it wouldn’t be the first time Jon Robinson makes a significant in-season move to help a deficient position group. Most recently back in 2020, the Titans exchanged a sixth-round pick to the Los Angeles Chargers for disgruntled cornerback Desmond King.
Chargers are sending Desmond King to the Titans, per @AdamSchefter
Trade deadline heating up
pic.twitter.com/PYw5536coC
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) November 2, 2020
Before the deal, King’s name had been rumored in trade discussions, similarly to the way that Bourne’s name is being brought up now.
If the Titans decide to make a move for the sixth-year wideout, they have to make sure they’re confident in their ability to maximize his talents to the fullest potential.
These draft picks are more than one-year investments. You can’t be throwing them away out of desperation unless you’re completely sold on the player you’re getting and/or the potential value is way too good to pass up.
If Tennessee feels it has a legitimate present and future with Bourne, then by all means, the team should be doing everything possible to explore a fair trade for all parties involved.