The Tennessee Titans loaded up on wide receivers in the offseason in order to make the quarterback's job as easy as possible. With Justin Hunter and Kendall Wright already on the roster, the Titans signed Hakeem Nicks and Harry Douglas in the offseason while drafting Dorial Green-Beckham in the second round. While all of the options are certainly going to help, the chances everyone makes the 53-man roster appear slim as the Titans are putting players on notice.
According to head coach Ken Whisenhunt, the Titans need to see much more out of Hunter if he is going to continue with this franchise. The former second-round wide receiver is entering his third season in the league and Tennessee needs more out of him. Hunter has the size and speed of a strong receiver in the league, but he has yet to really show he can reach that next level. Whisenhunt told the Tennessean that the receiver has something to prove with competition around him.
"At some point, you either get it or you won't be in this league anymore," Whisenhunt said, via the Tennessean. "That's the natural order of the NFL."
The wide receiver battle is more of a competition than the quarterback one between Marcus Mariota and Zach Mettenberger. Every player involved is aware that they must fight for position on the roster and on the depth chart. Tennessee is looking for improvement this year and so are many of the players. Nicks is aware that one more bad season and he could be headed out of the NFL altogether. The receiver told the media that he is hoping to prove he can still be a major threat in the NFL.
"(I'm) motivated, determined and ready to work. I am ready to bring it all and lay it on the line, man," Nicks said, via the Tennessean. "I just want to get back in the rhythm of being talked about as one of the best receivers in the league, as I was in the past. I believe I can, but I need to go out there and prove it. No need to say words."
Green-Beckham is officially signed to his rookie contract as announced by the team. He has yet to show much as he deals with a hamstring injury that has kept him quiet in camp. Whisenhunt said he still has a lot to learn before he can really be a factor on the team, but the Titans are hopeful that he emerges as a starter for Week 1. Hunter will likely also get a starting nod while Douglas is favored for a big role as well.