Should Tennessee Titans bring Golden Tate home for wide receiver boost?

While Julio Jones watch continues for the Tennessee Titans, there’s another veteran wide receiver who could be an option for the team: Golden Tate. 

Tate, 32, is one of the most accomplished receivers on the free-agent market. A Super Bowl champion in 2013 with the Seahawks and a 2014 Pro Bowler with the Lions, Tate has had a productive 11-year career: 695 catches, 8,278 yards and 46 touchdowns in 160 games. 

Oh, and Tate also is a Hendersonville native and former Pope John Paul II High School star. Joining the Titans would be a homecoming toward the end of his career. 

A look at what signing Tate would mean for Tennessee: 

Why it makes sense

1. A cheap option to fill hole at WR: There’s a reason why Tate is still available. He’s an aging player coming off an underwhelming season with the Giants, who released him in a cost-saving move ahead of free agency. He shouldn’t command much more than veteran-minimum money, and he could slide in as a No. 3 receiving option behind star A.J. Brown and free-agent acquisition Josh Reynolds.

2. The YAC potential: According to ESPN, Tate is tied for first in yards after the catch (4,248) with Antonio Brown since entering the league in 2010. And he entered 2020 leading all receivers over the previous five seasons in yards after the catch by a wide margin, per Pro Football Focus. Between Tate and A.J. Brown, one of the league’s best in YAC, the big-play potential for a passing attack that has concerns would be a major boost for new offensive coordinator Todd Downing. 

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3. Veteran voice at WR: The Titans’ best receiver (Brown) has played two seasons and there’s no one in the room who has played more than four. Tate, with 11 years under his belt, would provide a needed voice of experience in the receiver meeting room.

Why it doesn't make sense

1. His declining play: Tate last season had his least productive season since 2011 (35 catches, 388 yards, 2 TDs). After being a 1,000-yard receiver in both 2016 and 2017, Tate’s numbers have been dipping since 2018. Add his age on top of that, it’s reasonable to believe Tate doesn’t have much left in the tank

2. Leadership questions: Tate brings a wealth of NFL experience to the table, but his time with the Giants was turbulent: a four-game suspension in 2019, a postgame fight with the Rams’ Jalen Ramsey and a one-game benching for complaints about his role in 2020. 

Prediction

The Titans make it happen. Regardless whether Jones comes to Nashville, Tate would provide much-need depth in the room. For his value on the market – a one-year deal around the veteran minimum – it would be a low-risk, high-reward move. If it’s not a great fit, and he is truly on the decline, you cut him at no penalty. But if it works out, you have a dependable option behind Brown at a bargain price in a cap-strained year.

Ben Arthur covers the Tennessee Titans for The USA TODAY Network. Contact him at barthur@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @benyarthur.