Chigoziem Okonkwo Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

New Titans OC Tim Kelly is excited to expand TE Chig Okonkwo's role in 2023. "We're gonna look to continue to grow his skills and his abilities so we can utilize him more," Kelly said from the Combine on Tuesday. "When the ball found him, he caught it. And he was good with the ball in his hands." Okonkwo finished his rookie campaign with 32 catches for 450 yards and 3 TDs. His underlying metrics scream big upside going forward. Okonkwo's 84.6 Pro Football Focus receiving grade and 2.61 yards per route run were both top 3 marks among 31 rookie TEs with 40+ targets over the past 10 seasons. Highlight his name as 1 of 2023's top breakout candidates at TE.

The Titans have promoted passing-game coordinator Tim Kelly to OC. 2022 was Kelly's first season in Tennessee. He spent the previous 3 years as Houston's OC. Those first 2 Texans teams had middling finishes in points and total yards under QB Deshaun Watson before sinking to bottom-3 levels in 2021 with QBs Davis Mills and Tyrod Taylor. It's not an overly inspiring hire by Tennessee. Expect the offense to again revolve around RB Derrick Henry in 2023.

The Titans fired OC Todd Downing. He deployed slow-faced, run-heavy offenses the past 2 seasons. Tennessee sunk from 17th in total yards and 15th in points in 2021 to 30th and 28th this past year. We'll see who the Titans tab to run the offense going forward -- and if that guy will open up the passing game a bit. RB Derrick Henry turned 29 last week, and Tennessee has a couple of intriguing, young talents in WR Treylon Burks and TE Chig Okonkwo.

Titans insider Paul Kuharsky hears that QB Ryan Tannehill is "very likely" done for the season with an ankle injury that may require surgery. Tannehill has hurt this right ankle twice this season -- but was surprisingly allowed to re-enter last week's loss to the Chargers. His absence leaves QB Malik Willis at the controls the rest of the way. The rookie made 2 starts the first time Tannehill went down, TOTALING 135 passing yards on 26 attempts. Tennessee will go as run-heavy as possible with Willis, tanking the fantasy value of pass catchers like TE Chig Okonkwo and WR Treylon Burks.

Titans WR Treylon Burks (concussion) was listed as a full participant at practice on Tuesday. The rookie is trending toward being able to play in Saturday's game vs. the Texans at this rate. It will still be worth monitoring his participation today, however. Fellow rookie TE Chigoziem Okonkwo has stepped up in Burks' absence as a fantasy contributor, so there could be some ripple effects here. We'll keep an eye out.

Titans TE Chig Okonkwo led the team in targets (5) in Sunday's loss to the Chargers, catching 4 for 54 yards. He tied RB Derrick Henry for the reception lead and ranked 2nd in yards. The rookie has caught 4+ balls and cracked 50 yards in 3 straight games. He has matched or beaten TE Austin Hooper in targets for 4 weeks in a row.

Titans WR Treylon Burks (concussion) is out for Sunday's game vs. the Chargers. That leaves Robert Woods and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine as Tennessee's top 2 WRs once again -- and keeps TEs Chig Okonkwo and Austin Hooper in play for fantasy lineups.

Titans WR Treylon Burks (concussion) remained sidelined on Thursday. He now looks like a long shot to be cleared in time for this weekend's game vs. the Chargers. That'll keep Robert Woods and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine atop the WR depth chart -- and keep TE Chig Okonkwo in play as a fantasy spot starter.

Titans TE Chig Okonkwo caught a team-leading 6 passes for 45 yards and a TD on 6 targets in Sunday's loss to the Jaguars. TE Austin Hooper and WR Robert Woods tied for 2nd on the team with 5 receptions apiece, in a game that saw QB Ryan Tannehill throw or 254 yards. WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine drew a team-high 8 targets but caught just 3. He did snag Tannehill's other TD.

Titans TE Treylon Burks (concussion) is out for Sunday’s game vs. the Jaguars. That leaves Robert Woods and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine as Tennessee’s top 2 WRs – and could mean more targets for TEs Austin Hooper and Chig Okonkwo.

Titans QB Ryan Tannehill had a modestly efficient game in Sunday's win over the Colts. He completed 17 of 21 passes for 137 yards (6.5 per attempt) and 2 TDs. Tannehill found WR Robert Woods and rookie TE Chig Okonkwo for his 2 scores. Woods and RB Dontrell Hilliard tied for the team lead with 4 catches apiece. Okonkwo's 3 receptions tied RB Derrick Henry for the next spot, even though Okonkwo trailed both Geoff Swaim and Austin Hooper in routes. WR Treylon Burks left early with a left foot injury.

Titans rookie TE Chig Okonkwo has been a standout in minicamp, catching 4 TDs over the last 2 days, according to Jim Wyatt of the team's official website. Okonkwo is undersized at just 6'3, 238 pounds but led all TEs at the Combine with a 4.52-second 40 time. He projects as a catch-first TE with some intriguing fantasy upside. Austin Hooper remains the favorite to lead Titans TEs in fantasy points this season, but Okonkwo is worth keeping an eye on this summer.

The Titans added Maryland TE Chigoziem Okonkwo with the final pick of Round 4. Okonkwo missed the 2020 season after being diagnosed with myocarditis but rebounded to post a career-best 52-447-5 line last year. The 6'3, 238-pounder led all TEs at the Combine with a 4.52-second 40 time. Okonkwo has drawn comparisons to former Titan Jonnu Smith and looks like an intriguing dynasty sleeper.