During the Week 2 loss to the New York Jets, Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley looked and played like the prized free agent acquisition he was billed as. He accounted for both Titans touchdowns and was the dynamic playmaker the team was hoping for.
How good was he? Well, he recorded the fastest speed of any receiver in the league during Week 2. His 20.93 mph touchdown run was the best by a receiver and fourth by any ball carrier.
Good and bad #Titans‘ WR notes from @NextGenStats: pic.twitter.com/wgHqFHv9sd
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) September 18, 2024
The game marked a significant step forward for Ridley, who was solid but not a game-changer in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. While his stat line of three receptions for 71 yards and one touchdown might not jump off the page, he averaged 24.6 air yards per target and was the only wideout in the NFL to average more than 20 yards.
Ridley was mostly followed by one of the best young cornerbacks in the game, the Jets’ Sauce Gardner, who had a rough day. Ridley and the rest of the Titans corps gave Gardner the worst statistical day of his career; he allowed five receptions for 97 yards and a score.
With Ridley stepping up, the Titans need another receiver to do the same. DeAndre Hopkins has been invisible, playing fewer snaps than Treylon Burks over the first two games, and free agent Tyler Boyd has not added much production. In fact, his 1.1 yards of separation on his five targets were the worst in the NFL during Week 2.
With the line struggling and quarterback Will Levis making some huge mistakes, the offense needs a boost. Ridley made the first impact; which receiver will be next?