There are always surprise releases on cut-down day in the NFL, but the Tennessee Titans made one of the most intriguing moves. On Tuesday, the team released fourth-round pick wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick after an uninspiring preseason. Tennessee still has Fitzpatrick, as he went unclaimed on waivers and was re-signed to the practice squad, but it was still a notable decision.
After his bout with COVID-19, Titans head coach Mike Vrabel returned to the facilities and spoke with reporters on Wednesday. He addressed the decision to waive Fitzpatrick, saying the Louisville product needs to show more consistency and “willingness to play without the football in your hand,” according to the Titans’ official website. Vrabel said his staff will continue to coach him up, “and we’ll see where it all goes as the season unfolds.”
Fitzpatrick was more than just a fourth-round selection. Tennessee actually gave up a fifth-round pick and a seventh-round pick in the draft to move up to select him. CBS Sports NFL Draft Writer Ryan Wilson had the Titans selecting Fitzpatrick nearly 100 picks later in the sixth round in his seven-round mock draft. The 23-year-old has good size at 6-foot-2, 208 pounds, and caught 43 passes for 833 yards and three touchdowns last season with Louisville. He also averaged 19.4 yards per catch in 2020.
Fitzpatrick struggled mightily with drops in training camp and in joint practices, but did make plays in the final two preseason games including a 23-yard touchdown catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which showed what he’s capable of. The Titans are not lacking at wide receiver anymore, and may even have to cut another as players start to come off of the Reserve/COVID list. Fitzpatrick’s story is yet to be written, and it sounds like the team will keep a close eye on him as he continues to develop.
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