Titans Heated Receiver Competition Ranked Ahead Of Mandatory Minicamp: Van Jefferson a lock, Lockett is not, Restrepo's path
Who will the Titans final receiver core be?
This time of year, all eyes are on the QBs and WRs. And the Tennessee Titans have a significant wide receiver race on their hands, where the depth behind WR1 Calvin Ridley is all varying degrees of question marks. But who is actually going to make this team? I’ve broken down all 13 receivers on the depth chart into four buckets:
Locks To Make Titans Roster
- Calvin Ridley
- Van Jefferson
- Chimere Dike
- Elic Ayomanor
Depending on who you ask, different people will give you different answers as to how many true locks there are at receiver so far. Five is probably the consensus opinion at this point, but I think it’s technically four right this moment.
Two veterans, and two rookies: Calvin Ridley is obvious and needs no explanation, beyond pointing out that if he goes down early in the season—God forbid—this receiver room could be in big trouble. And then there’s Van Jefferson, who I have done a total 180 on since getting to see him in person a couple times. Based on his 2024 tape and expendable one year contract, I didn’t think he was a lock. But after seeing him amongst the other receivers in practice, it’s very clear to me that he is one. Does that mean he’ll actually be good on Sundays? No. But I don’t think there’s a path to him failing to make this team.
And then there’s the 4th round rookies, who would have to go to extraordinary lengths to get cut. Basically, you have to be like Dez Fitzpatrick was in 2021: Unambiguously bad, and competing for a spot in a more crowded WR room. Through a couple of practices, it’s clear that Dike and Ayomanor don’t meet either of those criteria. They’ll be on the team.
Likely To Make Titans Roster
- Tyler Lockett
Most people include Lockett as their fourth or fifth lock to make the team. And while I do not, let me be clear: I’d be surprised if he doesn't make the final cut. But the reason he’s not a lock at this point is that I can technically see a path to him not making the team.
At this point in his career, Lockett is a slot-only player. I believe the plan, which is going accordingly so far, is for Chimere Dike to play a lot as the Titans big slot. I think he’s going to be their primary option eventually. And if that’s the case, I think a competition between Restrepo and Lockett could develop for the Titans other slot-only option. And if Restrepo were to establish himself as a must-keep, NFL caliber receiver in training camp… well, there’s the path. I know the natural reaction to that is still an eye-roll, because this is Tyler Lockett we’re talking about! He’s been a fixture of the league for a long time. He’s a reliable veteran!
But he was signed to a very minimal deal late in the offseason process. There’s a reason for that. He’s a declining player. I think he feels like a lock more because of his name value than the actual reality on paper right now.
Tossups To Make Titans Roster
- Bryce Oliver
- Xavier Restrepo
- James Proche
A surprising number of people seem to think Xavier Restrepo is a lock to make this team. I have no clue where that’s coming from. Because it’s not from his coaches, or his draft status, or anything that’s been done on the practice field, or from the media… I’m as high on his chances as anybody in local media that I know of, and even I think it’s just slightly better than a 50/50 shot!
In reality, he’s competing with Bryce Oliver and James Proche for 1 or 2 remaining spots on the depth chart. Carving out a role for himself as a returner somehow would go a long way in him making his case.
Oliver is the one of these three I'm the most confident in making the team. I have faith in his ability after seeing him in limited capacity last year. He played some sneaky nice football for the Titans, albeit in some meaningless moments. If he takes another step at all this summer, I think he makes the team.
And Proche is in the discussion because of his ability as your special teams ace. For him to miss out on the team, folks ahead of him need to establish themselves as viable special teams options, particularly in the return game.
Long-Shots To Make Titans Roster
- Colton Dowell
- Mason Kinsey
- Treylon Burks
- Jha’Quan Jackson
- TJ Sheffield
And finally, these are the players who don’t stand much of a chance to make the team at all. No surprises really. The one thing I will point out is that if you told me one of these guys surprises us this summer and inserts themselves into the conversation, I’d bet on it being Colton Dowell. Titans fans don’t think anything of him because since being drafted in the 7th round, he’s been largely out of sight and out of mind. But he’s back healthy right now, and getting somewhat significant run in OTAs so far. If he becomes a stud special teams option, he could suddenly feel harder to cut.
