With the first round of roster cuts right around the corner in the NFL, all eyes are on Justin Hunter and Hakeem Nicks of the Tennessee Titans. The team loaded up on receiving options in the offseason, making the position group crowded and cuts likely in the near future. With several teams losing top receivers for the season, they are waiting to see if the Titans drop a player or two with Hunter and Nicks the intended targets.
According to Bleacher Report's Jason Cole, both Hunter and Nicks have the attention of teams like the Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers who intend to move in if either are cut after the third preseason game. Hunter's future with the Titans has been shaky at best since an offseason arrest. That is paired with inconsistency so far in the preseason which means he is on thin ice with roster cuts. Nicks is facing the same fate as he looks to bounce back in his career. According to Nicks, the Titans offense is better suited for his style of play, but there are no guarantees his makes the final roster.
The biggest threat to Hunter and Nicks is Dorial Green-Beckham who is continuing to show why he was such a highly-touted talent despite his off-the-field issues in college. According to FOX Sports, the rookie is making real progress with the team and could earn a starting spot to be a big threat for quarterback Marcus Mariota.
"When you think about 20 months away from football you know there are going to be some growing pains, especially when you are coming to the NFL level from the type of offense he was running, but he likes to work,'' head coach Ken Whisenhunt said, via FOXSports.com. "He's working hard at it, I don't have any problems with him. I think certainly, you like having young players like that are into it, and that want to do well. It's good that he'll continue to push himself and we'll continue to find ways to get him involved."
Harry Douglas and Kendall Wright are also excelling in their respective spots with tight end Delanie Walker who led the team in yards last season. It is unclear exactly how many receivers the Titans intend to go into the season with. It would be expected that at least one of the two between Hunter and Nicks are released. If that is the case, the Panthers and Packers are expected to jump as they aim to replace both Kelvin Benjamin and Jordy Nelson respectively.
