A former first-round choice who is now a potential trade target for the Detroit Lions
The degree of need can certainly be debated, but the loss of Josh Reynolds has removed a reliable target from the Detroit Lions’ wide receiver corps. After Amon-Ra St. Brown, there’s a lot of projection (Jameson Williams, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Antoine Green?) and perhaps an injury question mark (Kalif Raymond) looking toward next season. A draft pick at the position is possible, perhaps early.
The Tennessee Titans took Treylon Burks with the draft pick they acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles for A.J. Brown, theoretically replacing their start wide receiver and re-starting the contract clock for their WR1. It has not worked out, with a combination of bad quarterback play and injuries limiting Burks to 49 catches over two seasons (22 games).
Burks has fallen in the Titans’ hierarchy as a result of the additions of Calvin Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins during the last two offseasons. The Titans’ offensive coordinator Nick Holz had the following to say about Burks on Wednesday, via ESPN’s Turron Davenport.
“There is a lot of promise for Treylon. First-round selection; every talent is evident. However, Holz stated that he would receive what he deserves. “As a large man, he possesses the ability to run and make contested catches.” We would really benefit from that enhancement if he could figure out a way to make it happen.
The attitude that “he’s going to get what he earns” is clear. It’s just too evident. Burks is going into his third season and seemingly won’t be leaving, but he will have a new coaching staff and a fresh start.
Talk about the Detroit Lions: Is Treylon Burks a good trade target?
Burks turned a strong senior year at Arkansas (2021)—66 catches for 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns—into a 2022 draft selection that was among the top-20. With seven touchdowns, he also exceeded 16 yards per catch for the Razorbacks in 2020. He can win contested catches and is a large (6-foot-4, 225-pound) downfield target. Even though he is only 24 years old, it is reasonable to believe that his skill has not entirely vanished after two seasons in the NFL.
Burks was mentioned by AtoZ Sports’ Mike Payton as a possible trade target for the Lions along with a suggested trade.
Burks and the third sixth-round pick the Lions would receive this season in exchange for the pick they acquired from the Eagles in exchange for D’Andre Swift aren’t a bad deal. Though it’s worth considering if such a high pick would be necessary to get Burks, perhaps you could use that fourth-round pick in 2025 to acquire a pick back in addition to Burks.
If the Lions choose to acquire a wide receiver before the draft, or in a different round altogether, they should be classified as “low-risk” players. Burks also has promise, which is likely only going to be realized with a change of environment. Two years ago, the Lions had him in for a top-30 visit.
