Why Calvin Ridley is the perfect running mate for DeAndre Hopkins in the Titans offense

"Ridley is a great signing," NFL analyst Greg Cosell said to AtoZ Sports. "He can line up anywhere in the formation. He is a great route runner. He helps define the throw for the quarterback."

According to Matt Harmon of Yahoo Sports, Ridley displayed above average receiving success rates against both man (71.9%) and zone (80.4%) coverages. Having spent the 2023 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, coach Doug Pederson deployed him primarily as the team's "X" receiver. This means that Ridley was typically on the outside of the offensive formation and on the line of scrimmage.

Relegating Ridley to that role primarily in Jacksonville did not play to the versatility strengths of the 29-year old wide receiver. Hopkins will allow Ridley to align in different ways in their various offensive formations. 

It is unclear at this point just how Callahan will see fit to deploy Hopkins and Ridley together when the Titans begin regular season play this September, of course. The two wide outs and their respective skill sets should, however, benefit each other and second-year passer Will Levis immediately in Tennessee. Hopkins' ability to make his quarterbacks right on contested catches was about the only saving grace of the Titans 2023 passing game. 

Adding Ridley to the mix and potential future additions in the upcoming NFL draft is about as much support as a quarterback can ask for.

Offensive coordinator Nick Holz has familiarity with Ridley, of course, having spent last season together with the Jaguars as their passing game coordinator. Assistant general manager Anthony Robinson helped scout and draft Ridley during his time with Atlanta Falcons, coming to Tennessee in 2023 after serving in various roles with Atlanta from 2008-2022. 

Carthon's additions of Ridley, center Lloyd Cushenberry and running back Tony Pollard as the primary features of this free agent class will do wonders for Levis.

Adding those signings to Hopkins and a group of ascending young players from last year's draft class will provide balance on offense. The Titans have not fielded a team with this much offensive firepower since 2019 when a rookie A.J. Brown joined Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry, Corey Davis and Jonnu Smith en route to the team's AFC Championship game appearance.

Ridley, who returned to the field after a one-year hiatus due to a gambling suspension in 2022, put together a statistically productive season with the Jaguars despite some inconsistencies.

Racking up 1,016 yards receiving and eight touchdowns, Ridley did account for six dropped passes. Jacksonville's offense never achieved the heights that it was projected to in quarterback Trevor Lawrence's third season, but Ridley was not the primary issue. Tennessee desperately needs the help that Ridley (and additional offensive reinforcements to come) can provide.

The AFC South continues to be an arms race.