CBS Sports analyst is high on Titans rookie WR Dez Fitzpatrick

Before the Tennessee Titans ultimately landed wide receiver Julio Jones in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons, the position was one of the biggest concerns ahead of the 2021 campaign.

The Titans parted ways with a pair of wide receivers earlier in the offseason after cutting Adam Humphries, who went on to sign with Washington, and seeing Corey Davis sign with the New York Jets in free agency.

Not to mention, tight end Jonnu Smith signing with the New England Patriots was yet another blow to the team’s group of pass-catcher.

Prior to the draft, the Titans’ only significant response to losing those players was to sign former Los Angeles Rams wideout, Josh Reynolds, so it was thought Tennessee would look to address the position early on in the draft.

However, Titans fans unexpectedly had to wait until Day 3 to see general manager Jon Robinson trade up and take a receiver, which ended up being fourth-round selection and Louisville product, Dez Fitzpatrick.

While Fitzpatrick figures to have a limited role in his first season due to the fact that he has Jones, Reynolds and A.J. Brown ahead of him, CBS Sports’ Chris Trepasso is still high on the rookie. He believes Fitzpatrick “will emerge as a key secondary target for Ryan Tannehill.”

One of my favorite stats this offseason is the Lions have to replace 360 targets from their 2020 roster. The most in the NFL. You know which team is third in “lost targets?” The Titans at 224. Fitzpatrick had a uniquely productive career with the Cardinals, he was a critical part of the passing offense from his freshman season onward. He’s over 6-1 and 200 pounds with deceptive 4.48 speed and experience winning from the perimeter with sharp cuts in his routes. Yes, it’ll mostly be the Derrick Henry, A.J. Brown, and Julio Jones showcase in Nashville this season. But Fitzpatrick will emerge as a key secondary target for Ryan Tannehill. 

As much as we like Fitzpatrick, targets will be incredibly tough to come by in his first season. Barring an injury to one or more of the aforementioned wideouts, the Louisville product will be no better than fifth in the pass-catching pecking order when you include tight end Anthony Firkser.

And even that isn’t guaranteed. Fitzpatrick will have to show he’s ready to be the first receiver off the bench during training camp, which begins later this month.

The biggest thing for Fitzpatrick in 2021 is to develop and show promise on the field when he does get an opportunity. Grabbing the No. 4 receiver role will be a great first step.

With the Titans’ murky situation at receiver beyond this season — Reynolds is on a one-year deal and Jones could be a cut candidate in 2022 if things go south — Fitzpatrick could find himself in a position to be a starter as soon as his sophomore campaign, but don’t expect too much in his rookie season.