NASHVILLE — When the Tennessee Titans made quarterback Cam Ward the No. 1 overall pick in April, it was their first step towards a long overdue rebuild. With Ward now in place and ramping up towards this month's training camp, the conditions are set for receiver Calvin Ridley to truly flourish.

Rare that a seventh-year receiver might still be considered a breakout season candidate.

Calvin Ridley is essential to maximizing Titans offense

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Ridley signed a four-year, $92 million deal in March of 2024.

Despite the nightmare that was last season's level of quarterback play in Tennessee, Ridley was still able to compile 1,017 receiving yards. Receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine was the next closest on the Titans roster, statistically, with 497 yards. A 3-14 team finish means no one returning from last year gets to brag on themselves, but Ridley soldiered through like a professional and improved as the season dragged on.

So far this offseason, the hope of more effective quarterback play seems to have the 30-year old Ridley refreshed.

"That boy there (is) different," said Ward of Ridley in a recent offseason vlog. "How he moves, everything. Now that I see what a receiver is supposed to be like, Elic (Ayomanor), Chim(re Dike), Strep (Xavier Restrepo), Bryce (Oliver), all the guys in our room, I'm glad they've got him. I ain't never threw to no receiver like him, that move like him, can cut like him. And that boy, he ain't selfish. He want the rookies, all of us, to do better than him because he's gonna end up getting his one-on-ones."

Titans wide receiver preview 

Elic Ayomanor (No. 5): 6-2 / 206 lbs / Age: 22 / Exp: R / College: Stanford

Treylon Burks (No. 16): 6-2 / 225 lbs / Age: 25 / Exp: 4 / College: Arkansas

Chimere Dike (No. 17): 6-1 / 196 lbs / Age: 23 / Exp: R / College: Florida

Colton Dowell (No. 14): 6-3 / 212 lbs / Age: 26 / Exp: 3 / College: Tennessee-Martin

Jha'Quan Jackson (No. 19): 5-9 / 188 lbs / Age: 25 / Exp: 2 / College: Tulane

Van Jefferson (No. 11): 6-1 / 200 lbs / Age: 28 / Exp: 6 / College: Florida

Mason Kinsey (No. 12): 5-11 / 200 lbs / Age: 26 / Exp: 3 / College: Berry College

Tyler Lockett (No. 4): 5-10 / 182 lbs / Age: 32 / Exp: 11 / College: Kansas State

Bryce Oliver (No. 80): 6-1 / 214 lbs / Age: 25 / Exp: 2 / College: Youngstown State

James Proche II: 5-11 / 193 lbs / Age: 28 / Exp: 7 / College: SMU

Xavier Restrepo (No. 87): 5-10 / 202 lbs / Age: 23 / Exp: R / College: Miami

Calvin Ridley: (No. 0): 6-1 / 190 lbs / Age: 30 / Exp: 7 / College: Alabama

TJ Sheffield (No. 82): 5-10 / 188 lbs / Age: 24 / Exp: R / College: Connecticut

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Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.