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NASHVILLE -- For years, the wide receiver position has been an Achilles heel for the Tennessee Titans. And so it is again in 2016 where there isn't one receiver on the roster who can be counted upon as a sure thing for the upcoming season.
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Perhaps the closest thing is newcomer Rishard Matthews, who had 45 catches in 11 games for the Miami Dolphins last year, and does appear to be a player on the upswing. But Matthews, of course, is adjusting to a new system and a new quarterback in Marcus Mariota.
Beyond that, there is a combination of potential and disappointment in the ranks. Filed under potential is last year's second-round pick Dorial Green-Beckham, who showed flashes of being a star in his rookie season with 32 catches for 549 yards and four touchdowns. But he must show more consistency in order to secure a starting spot.
"It's still up-and-down," Titans head coach Mike Mularkey said of DGB. "There's parts you get excited about, and then there's times when you go, 'He shouldn't be doing that right now.' Especially being in the system and at least being familiar enough to play faster in it. He's got to play faster; there's too much thinking going on right now."
That is not the case apparently with rookie fifth-round pick Tajae Sharpe, who has made enough of an early impression in camp to already earn some reps with the first team in OTAs.
"He's taking advantage of the opportunities he's been given. He's made the plays, he's been very impressive in the one-on-ones. He's going against the No. 1 corners," Mularkey said. "A lot of guys, especially rookies, they're very impatient, they shorten their routes, their double moves are too quick. He's playing like he's been in the league for a while. Really is production is why he's been able to move up there."
On the side of disappointing, there are fourth-year pro Justin Hunter and fifth-year receiver Kendall Wright.
Hunter had a sit-down session with Mularkey on Tuesday as the coach wants to try and instill some needed aggression and confidence into the talented wideout, who has not had more than 28 receptions in any of his first three seasons.
"We're giving him opportunities. We're gonna give them fair opportunities to show they have the talent, and he knows. I met with him this morning personally to talk to him," Mularkey said. "I want him to be successful. I'm on his side. What's it gonna take to get you to play at the level we want you to play at?"
As for Wright, he needs to bounce back and has shown signs of that in OTA work. Wright struggled with a sprained MCL and had a career-low 36 catches in 2015. He is entering his contract year and has added about 12 pounds to his frame in order to be sturdier.
Wright might also find himself ticketed to play mostly in the slot for the Titans this year.
As for who will eventually step up among the receivers, that likely won't be sorted out for several months. But one thing is certain: the Titans need significant contributions from more than one receiver.
--Thus far in the battle to see who will be the Titans' starting left guard, the man who ended the season there last year is getting the first-team reps during the open OTA practices. Quinton Spain, an undrafted rookie from West Virginia in 2015, started the final six games of last season and thus far seems to be holding serve in a competition that is just beginning with Jeremiah Poutasi and Sebastian Tretola.
"He was probably one of our most physical linemen that we had up front, which is what we want," Titans head coach Mike Mularkey said. "To be thrown in there as an undrafted o-lineman and to play against some of the guys that he was playing against, I thought he held his own. Now, he's got a fresh start right from the beginning. He's getting a fresh start, he's getting them with the starters. I think his progress has been very good."
