Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward is building chemistry with his wide receivers at OTAs ahead of mandatory minicamp. The connection between Ward and No. 1 wideout Calvin Ridley has been especially notable. With a lack of proven talent behind Ridley, Brian Callahan is searching for playmakers to help round out the offense.
There are a ton of candidates. Undrafted rookie Xavier Restrepo, who played alongside Ward at Miami, has been an early go-to target at OTAs, which makes sense given their familiarity. Veteran wideout Van Jefferson has also made an early impression, with his route-running prowess endearing itself to Ward.
Bleacher Report recently wrote an article outlining a breakout candidate for each team in the league. For the Titans, they went with another rookie receiver altogether, despite all the noise Restrepo has been making. Elic Ayomanor is the choice.
Bleacher Report pegs Titans rookie WR Elic Ayomanor for breakout year
"Based on experience and draft capital, you'd think the Titans will start the season with Calvin Ridley, Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson as their three starting receivers," Alex Ballentine wrote. "Elic Ayomanor might have something to say about that, though. Ayomanor was a fourth-round pick, but he could easily outplay his draft slot. The 6'2", 206-pound receiver grew up playing hockey and that shows up in his physicality."
Ballentine is correct that the Titans will probably open the season with Ridley, Lockett, and Jefferson as their starting receivers. You do wonder how long it'll be before Ayomanor supplants Jefferson though. The veteran option hasn't recorded 400-plus receiving yards in a single season since 2021, prior to a brutal and recurring knee injury.
Jefferson signed a one-year contract with the Titans in free agency. Since then, the organization has acquired four more notable wideouts. Lockett was a later-wave signing, and Borgonzi drafted Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, and signed Restrepo in undrafted free agency.
Ayomanor and Jefferson appear to be competing for the same role in Tennessee's lineup, the "X" receiver spot that was occupied by DeAndre Hopkins and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine in last year's offense. Ayomanor possesses the physicality and catch radius required to earn that role on the boundary.
If Bleacher Report nails this prediction, Ward will have one of his go-to playmakers for years to come.