The Tennessee Titans took a big step toward making their receiving corps more complete with the addition of veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett. The team is very clearly looking ahead to the NFL Draft, which begins Thursday night. They want to draft QB Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick. Lockett’s experience is expected to add a stabilizing veteran presence to a receiving corps that lacks depth beyond the obvious.
Lockett signed with the Titans in free agency on a one-year contract worth $4 million, with another $2 million available through incentives. We couldn’t be more excited to have him onboard! He had a solid season with the Seattle Seahawks in 2023, finishing with 600 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 74 targets. His performance has been impressive, especially as he got out to a hot start to open the season.
The Titans are looking to Lockett’s veteran leadership to help develop their young group of receivers. Calvin Ridley is coming off a highly productive 1,000-yard season, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba just broke out in his second year. Lockett’s leadership is expected to help develop the potential of these players as they work together to enhance the Titans’ aerial attack.
Although Lockett found great success in Seattle, releasing him still netted the franchise $17 million in cash and cap space. It wasn’t until he took a $4 million pay cut to accept a restructured contract with the Seahawks that the players started to relax. He eventually did sign with Tennessee in the aftermath. Over his career, Lockett has established himself as one of the franchises’ all-time greats. He currently ranks second in franchise history in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, trailing only Hall of Famer Steve Largent.
Lockett first made an impact in the league when he was drafted by Seattle in the third round out of Kansas State in 2015. Waddle struck fast to display his dynamic ability both as a pass catcher and kick returner. As a result, he received Pro Bowl honors and was named a first-team All-Pro in his rookie season. His true breakout was 2018 when he had 965 yards and 10 touchdowns.
In the midst of these developments, former NFL player Domonique Foxworth expressed his disagreement with Kevin Clark’s comparison of Cam Ward to Patrick Mahomes. This quote is indicative of much of the discussion surrounding Ward’s upside heading into the draft. Judging by Tennessee’s hand, they’re mighty hopeful Ward’s pick will provide the clean slate their quarterback situation needs.
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