Titans Not Picking Up Option for Corey Davis, But Will Keep Adoree Jackson

It appears that the Tennessee Titans won’t pick up their fifth-year option for Corey Davis, the sources say. The 25-year old is set to become a free agent following the 2020 season.

That means that the wide receiver won’t receive $15.6 million in 2021, and instead will have to test the market and see what happens then.

Davis didn’t have an impact on the team, as many believed. Apart from his sophomore year, once he recorded 891 yards in 16 starts and 4 TDs, his productivity was mediocre. In his first year, he posted 375 yards in 9 starts, without any scores, and in the last one, he had 601 yards for two TDs, adding one in the playoffs.

Titans decline fifth-year option for former No. 5 pick Corey Davis (via @TomPelissero)https://t.co/qeIbbE5Yda pic.twitter.com/JO5Y2UMtDJ

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) May 1, 2020

The Titans drafted Davis as the fifth overall pick in the 2017 draft. He came out of Western Michigan college labeled as one of the biggest talents in the entire generation. In 2016, he earned the First Team All-American honors, with and as the NCAA FBS record-holder in yards received with 5,278. Still, as mentioned before, he didn’t become a game-changer.

However, it seems that the situation might improve for him. Ryan Tannehill, who became the starting QB of the Titans, is extremely pleased with the way he and the WR are functioning and stated last week that he insists on Davis’ higher usage in the season to come.

“I definitely think my chemistry will grow with Corey this year. Such a talented guy,” Tannehill said. “Looking forward to building on what we started last year and our rapport, and looking forward to him making some big plays for us because I know he has the talent.

This might explain why the Titans declined the fifth-year option. They want to see if Davis improves at all, because $15 million is a big sum for any player, especially if he is not providing the difference in the field.

If everything goes well, and Davis explodes, Tennessee could easily offer him a new deal, and if not, they are going to save the money.

Opposite to this story, Adoree’ Jackson will stay in Nashville, because the team chose to pick up a fifth-year option for this guy. The CB who came to the league the same year when Davis did, pleased the franchise management who wants to keep him as long as possible. He is about to earn slightly more than $10 million.

Tracker: Titans exercise CB Adoree' Jackson's fifth-year option (via @TomPelissero)https://t.co/HBj2VxsME8 pic.twitter.com/LvioEh7aZa

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) May 1, 2020

Jackson was the 18th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and was very good. So far, he played 43 regular-season games, with five in the playoffs. During the rookie season, he was even used as a punt returner. In the future, it is expected that Jackson holds an even bigger role in the secondary because of the probable departure of Logan Ryan. The veteran had an important place in nickel packages, and Jackson will replace him if he goes away.

The Titans amazed everyone last season, once they reached the AFC championship game but lost there to the latter Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. On their way up there, Tennessee defeated the New England Patriots who were the reigning champs at the time and the No.1 favorite for the Vince Lombardy trophy, the Baltimore Ravens.

During the campaign, they switched QBs benching Marcus Mariota and bringing in Tannehill. Experts are expecting from them to continue to rise and improve during the 2020 season, and many see this crew as one of the potential dark horses in the Super Bowl race.