The Detroit Lions are not going to sign veteran receiver Tyler Boyd. He signed a contract with the Tennessee Titans on May 9. However, Boyd’s departure to Tennessee may provide the Lions with another wide receiver option in the form of a trade for Treylon Burks.
Mike Payton of AtoZ Sports stated that the Lions should seriously consider trading for Burks.
“I’m not sure that this is a problem with Burks so much as it’s been a problem with the Titans offense and their quarterbacks,” Payton said.
“Burks is now the odd man out with these moves. It’s reminiscent of Josh Reynolds’ situation with the Titans before being released and signed by the Lions. However, the Titans will not be releasing here. A trade would need to be made.”
Although a transaction would be required, it would be inexpensive. Payton requested that the Lions trade Burks for the Titans’ conditional sixth-round pick in 2025.
Payton’s trade proposal also included a Day 3 pick for the Lions.
“If Burks makes the Lions roster out of camp and gets targeted 60 times in 2024, that sixth-round pick becomes and fifth round pick,” Payton stated. “If he doesn’t, it stays at six.
“That seems fair to both teams. The Lions receive a player who could play a significant role in Detroit, and the Titans get a strong future asset if everything works out.”
WR Treylon Burks Underperforms as Former First-Round Pick
Burks was drafted to replace A.J. Brown and showed a lot of promise early in his rookie season in 2022. In his NFL debut, he averaged more than 18 yards per reception before going on to post his first 100-yard game in Week 11.
But Burks suffered a turf toe ailment after September 2022. He missed six games as a rookie.
Then, last season, Burks missed another six games, largely due to a knee sprain.
These injuries have hampered his development. He has not always been fruitful on the field, especially last season. Burks concluded the 2023 season with only 16 receptions and 221 receiving yards.
He only had eight receptions for 99 yards in the final six games of last season.
Burks has inherent potential, and Tennessee’s quarterback problems could be the primary cause for his underperformance. However, the Lions would need to be confident in Burks’ ability to stay healthy and contribute to their offense before dealing for him.
How Burks Can Fit With the Lions
While Burks’ output and health could be reasons not to sign him, the Lions’ need at receiver may outweigh those worries.
Veteran Josh Reynolds left Detroit for the Denver Broncos in free agency this offseason. Reynolds finished second among Lions wideouts in the main statistical categories in 2023.
Jameson Williams is likely to play a larger role as a result of Reynolds’ departure. Donovan Peoples-Jones and Kalif Raymond might both play a larger role in the offense.
The Lions, on the other hand, could use another outside target, and Burks is a low-risk, high-reward trade candidate if Detroit can get him in exchange for a late Day 3 conditional choice.
As a rookie, Burks had 33 receptions for 444 yards and one score.
Burks has 66 catches for 1,104 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior at Arkansas. He averaged more than 16 yards per reception throughout his three college seasons.
