Delanie Walker Sees Titans TE Anthony Firkser As ‘Elite’

Travis Kelce, George Kittle, Gronk, Anthony Firkser…Wait, who? If you believe one current NFL free agent, Titans tight end Anthony Frisker is on his way to joining Kelce, Kittle and Gronkowski as the NFL’s premier tight ends. Delanie Walker said as much when he categorized his former teammate as “going to be elite.”

A three-time Pro Bowler, Walker gushed over Firkser on the Talkin with TD podcast hosted by Turron Davenport:  "He sat under me for years and I tried to teach him everything I know, but the dude got wiggles. He can get open, he can catch the ball. I think he going to be elite. Just adding Julio , it’s gonna open … more opportunities for him — over the middle, with matchups against linebackers. And that’s gonna be hard for them to cover him, ’cause he destroys linebackers within seconds. It’s gonna be good.”

Walker should know. He and Firkser were teammates in Tennessee in 2018 and 2019. At the time, Firkser was the proverbial “third banana," competing for playing time behind both Walker and Jonnu Smith – who recently signed with New England.

Since Smith has opted to join the ball-of-fun Patriots and free agent Walker now hopes to catch on with a new team, Firkser has an opportunity to showcase his skills in what should be a potent Titans offense.

"I feel like it's going to be a good year for him," Walker told Davenport. "I'm excited. I hope he does well 'cause I want him to get paid. That's what it comes down to. Just hope he does well. I know he built his confidence over the years. Now he has that opportunity to be the starter. I told him the last time I saw him. I said, 'It's your opportunity, don't lose it.' 'Cause they don't give it to many people often. He has the opportunity to be great. And I think with Julio (Jones) and A.J. (Brown) and Derrick Henry, that opportunity is high.”

Though his numbers aren't yet elite (39 catches for 387 yards last fall), he did receive an invite to last month's "Tight End University"- a camp for nearly 50 of the NFL's most talented tight ends hosted by Kelce and Greg Olsen.

Firkser and the Titans open the season by hosting the Cardinals on September 12th.