Titans 53-Man Roster 2025: The WR roster lock you don't know about, the battle for the seventh spot, and the fate of the rest
How the Titans WR room rounds out will be fascinating
How the Tennessee Titans finish their WR room is a big question mark heading into training camp, and that decision could shape the future of this roster.
This is the second WR portion of an ongoing article series, breaking down the Titans projected 53-man roster one position at a time. So far we've covered the offensive tackles, the interior offensive line, quarterbacks, Kalel Mullings' role, Tyjae Spears' most important season ever, and Tony Pollard's potential ceiling.
In this installment, let's discuss how Brian Callahan & Co. will round out this room:
Wide Receivers
- Calvin Ridley
- Van Jefferson
- Elic Ayomanor
- Chimere Dike
- Tyler Lockett
- Bryce Oliver
- Xavier Restrepo
Cut: James Proche, Colton Dowell, Treylon Burks, Jha’Quan Jackson, Mason Kinsey, TJ Sheffield
Bryce Oliver Is The Lock Nobody Is Talking About
Last call to board the Bryce Oliver train, friends. Because this locomotive is leaving the station in 2025.
NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell talked about how Oliver is a lock to make this team on Nashville radio last week after spending mandatory minicamp inside the Titans building, and from what I’ve heard, he isn’t wrong. The 2nd year UDFA really endeared himself to the coaching staff last year when he was made a gunner on special teams and used on the offense down the stretch. He impressed in both roles, and Brian Callahan hasn’t been shy about the fact that they feel he could be the new NWI for this franchise.
Every team could use a built, strong, willing blocker in the receiver room who has reliable hands and is a valuable contributor on special teams. And Bryce Oliver is capable of doing all of those things at a very high level. Throw in the fact that he’s got another gear in the speed department that NWI never had, and I think he’s set to take the mantle and run with it for the next couple of years in two tone blue. He’s making this team, people. More on his role linked here.
Restrepo, Proche, Or Neither?
To keep a 7th receiver, or to not keep a 7th receiver. That is the question. The Titans receiver room feels relatively established except for what happens on the back end. Could they keep just six and go heavier on the OL? Sure. But two players in particular stand out as possible reasons to keep a 7th, and their names are Xavier Restrepo and James Proche.
Restrepo is a fascinating case study. He’s a slot-only player. It’s doubtful he’ll bring anything on special teams. And so he’s a limited asset. But what he did in college is what we’ve seen him do in Titans practice so far: get open, get targets, and get upfield. Sometimes guys are just ball players! If he has an impressive August, I think he’s on the team more likely than not.
And then there’s James Proche. He’s a “break glass in case of emergency” player on this roster. He was brought in to be a special teams ace, particularly in the return game. But the hope is that somebody with more offensive potential—specifically, Chimere Dike—can earn the returner role that he’d fill. If this team reaches the end of August and still needs a returner, James Proche will make this team. But if they have somebody they trust, he’s a redundancy.
In the end, as reflected in my roster projection, I feel strongly that this team keeps 7 receivers. And I feel less strongly about Xavier Restrepo being that seventh man.
Sifting Through The Leftovers
And then there were six. These cut candidates aren’t all created equal, however.
Proche is what he is, as discussed above. The “9th” receiver on my depth chart that I’ll be keeping an eye on in training camp is Colton Dowell. He’s been out-of-sight, out-of-mind for Titans fans most of his career. But now that he’s healthy, I don’t think it’s impossible for him to carve out a role for himself on special teams. If that’s the case, he becomes harder to cut. He feels like a prime practice squad candidate to me.
As does Mason Kinsey, who is a co-captain in Tennessee’s bespoke offseason program. The same reason he’s stuck around all this time in Nashville is the reason he’ll stick again (if he doesn’t get grabbed elsewhere)—he’s useful. And then there’s what I will call, lovingly, the riff-raff. TJ Sheffield did well to earn himself a spot on the 91-man roster in rookie minicamp. I think the road ends for him after August. Burks isn’t somebody the Titans need to continue on with in 2025. And while it may feel premature, the same goes for Jackson. It’s time for a change on both fronts.
‘You have to assume’ NFL analyst drops nugget on Titans wide receiver as a dark horse roster lock to make the team in 2025
Bryce Oliver is going to be here a while
