The Tennessee Titans' wide receiver room looks shockingly different compared to where it was last June.
A year ago, the Titans' depth chart at receiver had DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and Treylon Burks in starring roles. Kyle Philips and Jha'Quan Jackson were also on the roster.
Ridley, Burks and Jackson are the lone holdovers from that group and the latter two are competing for their roster spots. Recently, Titans insiders Justin Melo, Justin Graver, and Easton Freeze projected the depth chart on an episode of the Music City Audible Podcast.
The trio of Titans insiders had free-agent signing Van Jefferson in the "X" receiver role with Ridley in his usual "Z/flanker" position. Veteran addition Tyler Lockett is the slot. Rookie Elic Ayomanor will push Jefferson and Chimere Dike is a utility wideout who can play multiple positions.
Xavier Restrepo displayed his chemistry with rookie quarterback (and good friend) Cam Ward at mandatory minicamp. Don't forget about Bryce Oliver, the sophomore UDFA who scored multiple touchdowns during the final practice. Oliver, Restrepo, and veteran signing James Proche (a special teams standout) are competing for one, maybe two roster spots.
Titans have completely revamped their wide receiver room
Considering that the Titans aren't likely to keep more than seven receivers, that means that there would be an 86% turnover rate at the position. The only returning receiver in this scenario would be Ridley, whose 1,000-yard season was the highlight of the team's passing game in 2024.
While the position certainly isn't "fixed," there are reasons to be optimistic about the short-term results and long-term outlook.
The veteran additions were signed to guarantee Ward will be surrounded by players with NFL experience. However, an influx of rookie receivers shows a succession plan behind each of them when you look at what Ayomanor, Dike, and Restrepo could add to the room.
Even if the plan is to let the vets start early in the year, the rookies have been impressive andall three were mentioned by Jim Wyatt as minicamp standouts.
This overhaul is a great case study for the draft-and-develop model the franchise is embracing under Mike Borgonzi and Chad Brinker. Ayomanor will be pushing Jefferson at X while Dike and Restrepo push Lockett for snaps in the slot.
The belief is that young players need snaps to develop, which means if the veterans aren't a clear step ahead of the rookies, then they are at constant risk of losing forfeiting snaps. Not only is it possible for one or more of these rookies to start by the end of the season, but it is possibly the coaching staff's plan.
Titans fans should know to temper expectations for rookies; however, there is a lot of positivity about the passing game after minicamp.
The Titans' wide receiver room could be one of deepest groups the franchise has fielded in a decade.