The Titans entered Week 1 with arguably the best wide receiver tandem in franchise history. With A.J. Brown and Julio Jones sidelined in Week 4, can Nick Westbrook-Ikhine or Josh Reynolds step up as fantasy football assets?
A.J. Brown, Julio Jones ruled out for Week 4
No Brown or Jones? No problem. Because every fantasy problem has a solution. If you’re desperate for a Week 4 flex option, lesser-known Titans receivers like Westbrook-Ikhine or Reynolds might produce the points you’re looking for.
Should you target Nick Westbrook-Ikhine or Josh Reynolds?
Westbrook-Ikhine has spent most of his 18-month NFL career on Tennessee’s practice squad. An undrafted free agent out of Indiana University, he displayed NFL-level talent against some stiff collegiate competition, including posting a 3-85-1 line as a sophomore against No. 7 Penn State and hanging 5-109-1 as a junior on No. 3 Ohio State.
Last week, he led all Tennessee receivers in every major category, corralling all 4 of his targets for 53 yards and a score. And on Friday, Ryan Tannehill gave Westbrook-Ikhine the patented Tannehill Seal of Approval, praising his blocking skills, toughness, and versatility.
Now, look, Westbrook-Ikhine was never a high-volume guy in college, and this isn’t a high-volume passing attack. So it’s important to consider whether anyone else could compete with this largely unproven talent. And No. 1 on that list is the former underutilized Rams WR, Josh Reynolds.
A 2017 fourth-rounder, Reynolds entered the league backing up Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Sammy Watkins in a stacked offense led by a still-in-his-prime Todd Gurley. In his first start that season in Week 1, Reynolds racked up 4 catches for 37 yards and 1 touchdown. In his third career start the following season, he hit 3-42-2. And last year, he put up a respectable 618 yards despite being sixth on the team in touches. If he’s recovered from his foot injury, Reynolds will be part of this team’s game plan Sunday.
Bet on top-30 Week 4 production for Westbrook-Ikhine or Reynolds
You need — and deserve — a high-upside option you can cheer on for three hours. Westbrook-Ikhine and Reynolds won’t solve all your problems. But one of them realistically could finish in the top 30. If you’re desperate for an impact player available in almost every fantasy league, those are pretty good odds.
Are any other Titans not named Derrick Henry worth rostering?
Beyond these two wideouts, Tannehill doesn’t have much to work with. 27-year-old journeyman Chester Rogers likely will take a backseat if Reynolds returns, while Cameron Batson is only the fourth or fifth option. 2021 sixth-rounder Racey McMath earned a little playing time last week and could be entrusted with a few more targets. And tight ends Anthony Firkser and Geoff Swaim are longshots to pull a C.J. Uzomah and become overnight fantasy sensations.
Meanwhile, on the ground, Derrick Henry probably won’t slow down much despite a record-breaking 453-carry pace. His current handcuff, Jeremy McNichols, could play a mop-up role in the second half if the Titans jump out to a nice lead. And nothing says “nice lead” more than playing the Jets. Despite being undermanned, Tennessee has the weapons to get the win, and McNichols is a capable enough pass catcher to get you 8+ points if things break right.