The Tennessee Titans wide receivers room has become a bit of a jigsaw puzzle that doesn’t quite fit together yet. If you spent any time watching the 2025 season, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s been a revolving door of "what-ifs" and "if-onlys." We went from the high-flying hopes of a revamped veteran core to a 3-14 reality that felt like watching a car stall in the middle of Broadway.
Honestly, it’s frustrating.
You’ve got a young quarterback in Cam Ward who clearly has the arm, but for most of 2025, he was basically throwing into a void. The stats don't lie. When your leading receiver is a tight end—shoutout to Chig Okonkwo for his 56 catches—it tells you everything you need to know about the state of the wideouts. We're at a crossroads now. With the 2026 NFL Draft looming and the Titans holding the No. 4 overall pick, the conversation around the Tennessee Titans wide receivers is no longer about "depth." It's about finding a literal savior for this passing game.
The Ridley paradox and the veteran fallout
When the Titans dropped the bag for Calvin Ridley, the idea was simple: give Will Levis (and eventually Cam Ward) a certified No. 1. It worked... sort of. In 2024, Ridley was a beast, clearing 1,000 yards. But 2025 was a different story.
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Ridley’s 2025 campaign felt like a series of missed connections. He only hauled in 17 catches for 303 yards. Look, the guy is 31 now. While his route running is still crisp, the explosive separation that made him a nightmare in Atlanta and Jacksonville isn't always there. He’s still the most talented name on the depth chart, but asking him to carry an entire offense at this stage of his career is a tall order.
Then you have the Tyler Boyd situation. Boyd was brought in to be the reliable "safety valve" in the slot. He did his job, catching 39 balls for 390 yards, but he’s hitting free agency again. He’s a pro’s pro, but he isn't a game-changer. And don't even get me started on the DeAndre Hopkins departure. Watching "Nuk" catch touchdowns for the Chiefs and then sign with the Ravens in early 2025 was a tough pill for Titans fans to swallow. It left a leadership vacuum that hasn't been filled.
The kids are alright (but maybe not enough)
If there was a bright spot in the wreckage of the 3-14 season, it was the emergence of some unexpected names. Chimere Dike actually led the wide receiver group in catches with 48. That’s wild if you think about it. An undrafted-type energy player becoming the most consistent target for Ward? It says a lot about Dike’s work ethic, but also about the lack of competition.
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- Elic Ayomanor: The Stanford product showed flashes. 41 catches for 515 yards and four scores. He has the size (6'2") you want in a boundary threat.
- Van Jefferson: He’s been a journeyman, but he stepped up when needed, averaging 12.1 yards per catch.
- Xavier Restrepo: This is the one to watch. The Titans signed him to a futures contract in early 2026. He was Cam Ward’s favorite target back at Miami. The chemistry is already there. If Restrepo can overcome those slow 40-times that dropped him in the draft, he could be the steal of the off-season.
Why the Tennessee Titans wide receivers need a total overhaul
Look, the current roster is a collection of "No. 3" receivers. You’ve got a bunch of guys who would be great as the third or fourth option on a playoff team, but nobody who scares a defensive coordinator. When you look at the 2025 stats, the lack of a "go-to" guy is glaring.
The Titans averaged a measly 5.7 yards per pass attempt. That’s bottom-of-the-barrel stuff.
Part of the problem was the offensive line—Cam Ward was sacked 55 times—but part of it was the receivers failing to get open quickly. Mike Borgonzi and the front office have a massive decision to make. Do they use that No. 4 pick on a blue-chip receiver like Tetairoa McMillan (if he’s there) or do they try to fix the defense and pray that a veteran trade becomes available?
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Basically, the 2026 season hinges on this. You can't ask a young QB to develop when his best options are a 31-year-old Ridley and a handful of guys who were on the practice squad in October.
Moving forward: What needs to happen now
If you’re a Titans fan, you shouldn't be satisfied with "potential" anymore. We’ve seen enough 3-yard slants to last a lifetime. The team needs to get younger and faster.
- Draft a true X-receiver. Use the top pick. Stop overthinking it.
- Keep the Ward-Restrepo connection alive. Let them work in the slot during OTAs. Chemistry is free, and they have it in spades.
- Find a veteran mentor. With Boyd's status up in the air, bringing in a veteran who has actually won a ring could help settle a very young room.
The era of ground-and-pound with Derrick Henry is a distant memory. The new NFL is about winning on the perimeter. Right now, the Tennessee Titans wide receivers aren't winning those battles. Until they find a guy who demands a double-team, this offense is going to keep spinning its wheels.
Actionable Insight: Watch the 2026 NFL Combine numbers closely—specifically the 10-yard split for wideouts. The Titans don't just need long speed; they need guys who can win the first five yards to help Cam Ward get the ball out before he gets killed. Focus on players who specialize in "contested catches," as Ward tends to trust his arm in tight windows.