The Tennessee Titans have been known as a run-first team since they moved out of Houston, but the arrival of Cam Ward might signal an evolution to a new style of offense.
While the Titans still have plenty of work to do at receiver, speed was a common denominator when you look at the additions they made at the position this year.
Looking strictly at 40-yard dashes, these are the numbers posted by the new Titans receivers:
-Chimere Dike: 4.34
-Van Jefferson: 4.39
-Tyler Lockett 4.40 (to be fair, this was a long time ago)
-Elic Ayomanor: 4.44
Titans prioritizing speed at WR
New general manager Mike Borgonzi spent close to two decades with the Kansas City Chiefs. When you look at how the Chiefs have handled the position in recent years, the evidence points to this new emphasis on speed being here to stay. In 2017, Brett Veach was internally promoted to be the new GM of the Chiefs, and a year later, he promoted Borgonzi to Director of Football Operations.
Since that promotion, the Chiefs have drafted seven receivers. Their average 40 time? 4.39 seconds. For comparison, the average 40 time of the last seven receivers that the Titans drafted was 4.47 seconds, prior to Borgonzi's arrival. Nearly a full tenth of a second slower.
Just because a receiver is fast doesn't mean they will be a good pro. However, let's not overcomplicate things. No matter what position we're talking about, being slow significantly lowers your chances of being productive in the NFL. We are losing the plot if we start to question whether you want a slow receiver or a fast receiver.
Time will tell whether this plan will work or not, but after decades of drafting slow receivers with little to show for it, the franchise that drafted Chris Johnson (the fastest running back in NFL history) will now prioritize speed at the receiver position as well.
Adding players with top-end speed to this offense should do wonders for No. 1 overall quarterback Ward. Not only does Ward possess the arm strength required to hit any area on the field, but receivers with speed will amplify his ability to pull off magical plays when he extends the pocket with his legs.