We’re getting closer to the start of Vikings training camp on July 27, and while Minnesota appears to be content with Brandon Powell, Jalen Nailor, Trishton Jackson, and Trent Sherfield as their WR3 options, what if Titans third-year receiver Treylon Burks became available in a trade?
Burks was drafted 18th overall by the Eagles in 2022 after dominating at Arkansas, but Tennessee’s aspirations of him replacing A.J. Brown have fallen short, with only 49 catches for 665 yards and one score in two seasons.
Burks’ future in Tennessee is now uncertain, as the Titans signed Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd to form a formidable trio alongside the returning DeAndre Hopkins. That puts Burks at WR 4, or possibly WR5, if Nick Westbrook-Ikhine passes him on the depth chart.
With Hopkins and Ridley as the clear No. 1 and No. 2 receivers, who will line up out wide on the bulk of snaps, and Tyler Boyd as the obvious top slot receiver, Burks’ only clear road to substantial reps in year three is if one of the top three receivers is hurt. And if Boyd is injured, Westbrook-Ikine appears to be a better replacement because he has more experience playing in the spot.
Last season, Westbrook-Ikhine had 28 receptions for 328 yards and three touchdowns while lining up in the slot 289 times versus 305 snaps out wide. Burks made only 16 receptions for 221 yards while playing 305 snaps out wide and 136 in the slot.
What would it take to obtain Burks, presuming the Titans would at least answer the phone? Ray Fittapaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette predicts a sixth- or seventh-round pick. The Vikings might trade a late-round choice in 2025 to give Burks a chance at significant playing time. Given Ridley’s praise for Burks’ physical prowess, giving the 24-year-old a chance at redemption in a high-powered offense may make a lot of sense in Minnesota.
“This dude is a freak, like seriously, bro,” Ridley told Fox Sports’ Ben Arthur about Burks this spring. “He’s going to be a stud. There are no worries.” Ridley compared Burks to Julio Jones, A.J. Brown, and Terrell Owens.
“Dude, are you that huge and fast? He’s a stud, dude. “You don’t have to worry about him,” Ridley remarked.
If the Titans feel the same way, they are unlikely to move him. However, if he is unable to play elsewhere, the Vikings make sense as a landing point. It’s simply a notion for the time being, but Burks is a name to keep an eye on over the summer.
