2022 NFL Draft: 5 reasons trading AJ Brown for Treylon Burks was brilliant
Tennessee Titans break up with AJ Brown, draft Treylon Burks, and prepare themselves for a new era of football in Nashville
The Tennessee Titans shocked fans tuning in to the 2022 NFL Draft when they decided to trade star wide receiver AJ Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for the No. 18 and No. 101 pick in this year’s draft.
The Titans used the No. 18 pick to draft wide receiver Treylon Burks of the Arkansas Razorbacks, one of the most talented players in the entire draft.
Burks is the fifth former Arkansas Razorback the franchise has ever drafted and the first in six years.
The team took LB Danny Brabham in No. 6 overall in 1963, DT Henry Ford No. 26 overall in 1994, DE Carlos Hall No. 240 overall in 2002, and G Sebastian Tretola No. 193 overall in 2016.
Burks, at No. 18 overall, was the earliest Razorback taken in an NFL draft since legendary college running back Darren McFadden was selected No. 4 overall in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Let’s take a look at some reasons why this was such a brilliant move for the Tennessee Titans in eschewing AJ Brown in favor of Treylon Burks.
Why the Tennessee Titans’ move in the 2022 NFL Draft was brilliant
No. 1: Treylon Burks has all the talent to be a star for the Tennessee Titans
“Deebo Samuel with a power-up mushroom.”
That’s how The Ringer described stud wideout Treylon Burks in their draft guide leading up to the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
The 6’2″ Arkansas standout had a phenomenal junior season for the Razorbacks, fueling the team to a surprisingly great season in the SEC.
Against the likes of Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, and the rest of the conference cohorts, the 225 lb. Razorback finished last season with 1,104 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on 66 receptions. He also chipped in 11 rushing attempts for 112 yards and a touchdown.
The Razorback had six 100+ yard receiving games during last year’s college football season, including a 179-yard, 2 TD performance at Alabama.
Burks can absolutely ball. His size, athleticism, strength, and his famously large hands are going to produce a lot of offense for the Titans.