The Tennessee Titans have done a lot to improve the wide receiver position this offseason. They drafted Carnell Tate at No. 4 overall and signed Wan’Dale Robinson to a $70 million contract in free agency. Elsewhere, they decided to restructure Calvin Ridley’s deal as opposed to releasing him as a cap casualty.
Ridley took a significant pay-cut to return to the Titans in 2026, as opposed to testing free agency. Analyzing the Titans’ lineup, the expectation is that Tate will be the starting boundary
receiver and Robinson will be the every-down slot guy. Though Ridley is expected to play his most effective “Z” spot, Robert Saleh and Brian Daboll shouldn’t just hand him a starting role without competition.
Ridley was extremely disappointing for the Titans in 2025 after showing offseason chemistry with Cam Ward. Despite all the hype, in actuality, he ended up producing just 17 receptions on 36 targets (under 50 percent) for 303 yards and zero touchdowns in seven games before suffering a season-ending injury. Pro Football Focus credited him with three drops.
Ridley will enter training camp looking to course-correct that disappointment. He played college football at Alabama for Daboll, so a baseline relationship and familiarity should be established. Looking at that “Z” receiver position in 11 personnel, the Titans also have Chimere Dike competing for reps at that spot.
Dike was incredibly impressive for the Titans as a rookie in 2025. He made the Pro Bowl while immediately establishing himself as one of the elite kickoff and punt returners in the game. Dike was also productive as a receiver despite barely playing on offense the first-half of the season, managing to still notch 48 catches for 423 yards and four touchdowns.
Tate is your “X” receiver. Dike can play the slot, but the Titans paid Robinson handsomely to command that role. By process of elimination, Dike’s best opportunity for reps is at the flanker position. His skill set, speed, and lack of physicality, makes him a perfect fit there.
The Titans should have Dike and Ridley compete for reps this summer.
