Much of Washington’s post-draft talk has centered around finding a legitimate receiving option to pair opposite Terry McLaurin in David Blough’s new offense. There has been significant chatter about adding Brandon Aiyuk once he’s released from the death-grip John Lynch currently has on him. Although Aiyuk remains a realistic option, the pettiness to which San Francisco’s front office is operating may not allow him to become a part of the team until after September 1st, when he has a nearly $25 million
roster bonus due.
Stefon Diggs is another name who has been linked to Washington. The 32-year-old Gaithersburg, MD native is coming off an 85 reception, 1013 yards season with the AFC Champion New England Patriots and looks to have a little bit left in the tank. He’s been spotted around the DMV this offseason and has even hinted about his interest in joining the team.
But what if that complementary piece to McLaurin is already on the roster?
In 2022, the Tennessee Titans made Treylon Burks the 18th overall pick of the draft. They also traded away star receiver A.J. Brown, who was coming off a 63 reception, 869 yard, five touchdown season (13 games) to the Philadelphia Eagles to obtain the draft pick used to select Burks.
The 6’2”, 225-pound bully was coming off a breakout season with the Razorbacks that saw him collect 66 catches for 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns and 112 rushing yards and a score. He was compared to Brown during the pre-draft process for his size and physical style of play, and the move helped save Tennessee from having to pay $100 million to their former second-round pick – with Burks under team control for five years.
Treylon’s time in Tennessee was marred by injury, inconsistency and poor play around him. His rookie season, where he played in a career-high 11 games, was his best to date, as he posted 33 receptions for 444 yards and a score. His three seasons in Tennessee saw him play in just 27 of a possible 51 games.
During those three seasons, Burks had five different starting quarterbacks (Ryan Tannehill, Malik Willis, Josh Dobbs, Will Levis and Mason Rudolph), and those Titans teams had a 16-35 combined record. Those five quarterbacks combined for 52 total touchdowns and 43 interceptions.
Now, this may sound like a lot of excuses for Burks, but there is a thing called bad luck, and this just may have caught the young man early in his career.
In 2025, after yet another injury (broken collar bone) which was suffered in training camp, he was placed on injured reserve and subsequently waived two days later ending his time in Tennessee.
In mid-October, Burks signed with the Commanders practice squad. With his collar bone now healed, he was tasked with learning Kliff Kingsbury’s playbook and building some chemistry with Washington’s quarterbacks.
Treylon was elevated to the active roster in Week 9 against the Seahawks and caught his first pass as a member of the Commanders.
Burks played in a total of eight games with Washington, catching 10 passes for 130 yards and one SPECTACULAR touchdown.
What can Treylon Burks bring to the new Commanders offense?
First, let’s talk about size…
Washington currently doesn’t have a receiver with Treylon’s type of physical build. At 6’2”, 225 pounds, he uses his body well to shield defenders on short-to-intermediate passes and is not afraid to sacrifice his body over the middle of the field and make difficult catches.
Treylon does a nice job fighting through contact at the catchpoint using that 6’2” frame to come down with deep passes.
Second, Treylon excelled in college with the ball in his hands and his play-strength was exceptional. Washington’s new offense is expected to use a lot of crossers, slants, pop-seams and screens designed to get the ball in the hands of players who can produce YAC. When healthy, Burks can be a major weapon in this area.
Finally, I believe Burks has some position flex. His size profiles as more of a traditional X receiver, but we expect David Blough to use a lot of pre-snap motion to get his players in more favorable matchups. This could see Burks being used on the outside or in the slot where he can use his frame against smaller corners.
With a hodge-podge of receivers and only one alpha-dog, Treylon Burks’ time may be now. Still just 26 years old, he’s in his prime and if he can finally stay healthy, he has the talent to break-out in this new offense.
One thing that needs to be stated is all the changes Burks has gone through during his short time in the NFL. Some consistency, and a quarterback who can get him valuable targets, would be a blessing. Having a full offseason to gel with Jayden Daniels and learn this new offense with his teammates could be just what the young receiver needs to ignite his career.
I believe if utilized correctly, Burks can become a legitimate weapon for Washington. Moving him around the formation to help create mismatches and taking advantage of his size and play strength in the open field will help open things up for this offense.
2026 season predictions:
16 games played
62 receptions
827 yards
5 touchdowns
Can Burks emerge from the crowded, yet inexperienced pack of receivers Washington currently has to become a go-to target opposite Terry McLaurin in Blough’s new offense?
Please discuss in the comments section below.
