Titans should feel disrespected by PFF's WR rankings

The Tennessee Titans spent the offseason significantly upgrading their wide receiver corps. General manager Ran Carthon left no stone unturned ahead of a season that should determine whether or not Will Levis is a legitimate franchise quarterback. With a potential future Hall of Famer already on the roster in DeAndre Hopkins, Carthon went out and signed both Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd in free agency.

Hopkins recorded 1,000 receiving yards for the Titans last season. Ridley was a 1,000-yard receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars before signing a four-year, $92 million lucrative contract with the Titans. Boyd is familiar with new Titans head coach Brian Callahan, who was his offensive coordinator for five seasons (2019-23) with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Coach Callahan is expected to utilize 11 personnel (three wide receiver sets) as his preferred offensive grouping. Hopkins will be the "X" receiver, Ridley will command the "Z," and Boyd will play his familiar slot position. Despite the obvious upgrades, Pro Football Focus recently ranked the Titans' group of wideouts as the 12th-best in the NFL.

"It's hard to know what to expect from the Titans’ passing game this year, but they have a handful of intriguing names," Trevor Sikkema wrote. " Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins might not be at his peak but is still a good player, as is newcomer Calvin Ridley. Treylon Burks is a wild card that could put this group over the top, and the Titans signed veteran Tyler Boyd this offseason to raise the floor. Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, who earned a 74.6 receiving grade in 2023, are viable receiving options out of the backfield."

It's important to note that Sikkema factored tight ends and running backs into his pass-catching position rankings. The Titans were probably docked points for their group of unproven tight ends. Chig Okonkwo and Josh Whyle are expected to form the one-two punch in Callahan's offense. Okonkwo still possesses untapped potential as the potential fourth option in the passing game, and Whyle is a sophomore who could develop into an all-around player as a blocker and receiver.

The tandem of Tyjae Spears and Tony Pollard in the backfield should have benefited the Titans in these rankings. Derrick Henry is no longer present, but both Spears and Pollard are more natural pass catchers. Callahan has two running backs with interchangeable skill sets that should positively impact Levis and the passing attack.

Hopkins and Ridley are No. 1 receivers. Tennessee's supporting options feature a mixture of quality depth and ascending talents. That should have placed the Titans within the top 10 of these rankings.