Ex-Titans TE Delanie Walker: Anthony Firkser is ‘going to be elite’

Former Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker is very high one of the team’s starting options at the position, Anthony Firkser, ahead of the 2021 season.

Firkser is coming off a career-year in 2020, finishing with 39 receptions for 387 yards and one score. Looking ahead to this coming campaign, Firkser has a chance to play a bigger role than he ever has in the NFL after the departure of Jonnu Smith to the New England Patriots.

Walker believes Firkser can be elite and thinks the addition of wide receiver Julio Jones will help create more opportunities for the Harvard product, as he revealed to ESPN’s Turron Davenport on his podcast “Talking with TD” (H/T Grant Gordon of NFL.com for the transcribe).

“He sat under me for years and I tried to teach him everything I know, but the dude got wiggles. He can get open, he can catch the ball. I think he going to be elite,” Walker said. “Just adding Julio [Jones], it’s gonna open, have more opportunities for him. Over the middle. With matchups against linebackers. And that’s gonna be hard for them to cover him, cause he destroys linebackers within seconds. It’s gonna be good.”

Walker continued:

“I feel like it’s going to be a good year for him,” Walker said. “I’m excited. I hope he does well, cause I want him to get paid. That’s what it comes down to. Just hope he does well. I know he built his confidence over the years. Now he has that opportunity to be the starter. I told him the last time I saw him, I said it’s your opportunity, don’t lose it. Cause they don’t give it to many people often. He has the opportunity to be great. And I think with Julio and A.J. [Brown] and Derrick Henry, that opportunity is high.”

In the same interview, Walker also talked about his thoughts on getting cut by the Titans in 2020, and what his future holds for this coming season. You can check those quotes out right here.

We all know how good of a pass-catcher Firkser is, but the biggest question mark remains his blocking, which could prevent him from being an every-down player.

If Firkser doesn’t show improvement it could open the door for Geoff Swaim, who is a blocking specialist, to get more snaps, and could also force the Titans to add another player at the position ahead of the 2021 campaign.

We’ll get a better idea of just how improved Firkser is in that area when training camp rolls around later this month.