If Marcus Mariota is going to be the longterm answer at quarterback for the Tennessee Titans, he needs to have a career year in 2019.

There are plenty of reasons why Mariota has failed to reach his potential so far during his four year NFL career. Injuries, coaching changes and a revolving door at wide receiver have all been factors in Mariota's struggles.

Mariota will once again be dealing with a coaching change (new offensive coordinator) and a new wide receiver in 2019, but those are actually a couple of the reasons why the former Oregon standout could thrive this season — specifically off-season acquisition Adam Humphries.

A safety valve at wide receiver

Humphries, a fifth year wide receiver out of Clemson, spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The South Carolina native had a career year in 2018, catching 76 passes for 816 yards and five touchdowns. It was his third straight season with at least 50 receptions.

Those numbers, however, aren't why fans should be excited about Humphries and Mariota playing together. In fact, I don't expect Humphries to see a huge spike in his numbers with the Titans.

It's how Humphries gets his yardage/receptions that's important.

Mariota will have plenty of weapons in 2019. Wide receiver Corey Davis should be the top wide receiver for Tennessee. Running backs Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis will be dangerous. And tight end Delanie Walker will return this season after missing nearly all of 2018. Wide receivers Taywan Taylor and Tajae Sharpe will also be factors.

Humphries, though, brings a different element to the Titans' offense than most of those players. The former Tampa Bay wide receiver is able to get open at any time, at any place on the field.

And when a play breaks down, or when it's third and eight and the Titans need a first down to keep a drive alive in the fourth quarter, Humphries' ability to get open in any situation is going to be incredibly important.

Check out an example of what I'm talking about, captured at Tennessee's practice on Wednesday by A to Z Sports' Austin Stanley.

.@adamhumphries13 stays open all the time.

Marcus Mariota talked about his body language in & out of his cuts. Watch his head on this route and see how it makes his next cut unpredictable #Titans pic.twitter.com/tBUDHIhRiZ

— Austin Stanley (@AustinStanley81) July 31, 2019

That's a simple, short ten yard route. But Humphries, whose 40 time is in the 4.50-4.55 range, is able to create plenty of separation because of his elite route running ability, which Austin points out.

Humphries' ability to get open in those situations is going to be an invaluable asset for Mariota in 2019. And it could be what helps take Mariota's game to the next level.

Mariota, for the most part, won't be judged by his stats. He'll be judged by how often he plays and how many games the Titans win.

With Adam Humphries in the mix, the Titans should be in line to win more games than they have the past three seasons, simply because of his ability to keep drives alive.

Featured image via Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports