Adam Humphries
To much fanfare, we posted a Pro Football Focus take on how Mariota could hinder Adam Humphries this season, with the reasoning being Mariota’s historically poor passer rating (81.7) to the slot, which is where Humphries will line up.
This isn’t simply a case of Mariota not being able to throw to the slot, but rather not having much talent to actually throw to. Without question, Humphries will be the most talented slot receiver Mariota has ever had by far, and that number should go up in 2019.
Now with Tennessee, Adam Humphries had the league's third-highest passer rating when targeted on in-breaking routes in 2018 with Tampa. pic.twitter.com/ICNn8WBW6P
— PFF (@PFF) April 3, 2019
Aside from tight end Delanie Walker, Mariota’s group of pass-catchers is young and doesn’t have a lot of experience. The addition of Humphries adds a veteran receiver into that group who has had success in the past, and he’s a machine when it comes to moving the chains on third downs.
Humphries joins a much different offense this season. He’s going from a pass-heavy offense in Tampa Bay, to a run-first offense in Tennessee. That might not bode well for his final stats, but that doesn’t mean he can’t singlehandedly help Mariota take his game to the next level.
Perhaps the best thing about the 26-year-old is that he chose to be here over the New England Patriots. Humphries is a guy who is motivated to come to Tennessee and make a difference, and he might be the biggest impact receiver the Titans have in 2019.