Tag: Josh Reynolds

Titans’ biggest fantasy football sleepers for the 2021 season

The Titans have four sleepers for fantasy managers to consider in 2021.

The Tennessee Titans are loaded with fantasy football assets on their roster, which is a far cry from pre-2019 when the team wasn’t anywhere near as good offensively and maybe had one or two players at most to choose from.

In fact, the Titans’ top options could all be elite fantasy assets. Wide receivers Julio Jones and A.J. Brown are among the best in the NFL at their position, and running back Derrick Henry figures to post RB1 production once again.

The most underrated of the Titans’ top fantasy assets is quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who posted over 4,000 total yards and 40 total touchdowns in 2020, his second impressive season in a row.

But successfully navigating a fantasy football season requires more than just having top-notch players on your roster. It’s also important for managers to find those diamonds in the rough who can provide depth or make a bigger-than-expected impact throughout the campaign.

The way we see it, the Titans have four big fantasy sleepers going into the 2021 season. Let’s take a look and see who they are.

Titans listed among teams who helped their QB the most this offseason

The addition of Julio Jones sent the Titans’ receiving corps. from shaky to rock solid in one fell swoop.

The Tennessee Titans have made a ton of moves this offseason, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, but their additions at wide receiver have no doubt bolstered quarterback Ryan Tannehill and the passing attack.

The Titans looked to be in trouble earlier this offseason, as the team was lacking depth in their group of pass-catchers after the departures of Corey Davis, Adam Humphries and Jonnu Smith in free agency.

Granted, the Titans did add Josh Reynolds in free agency, and then drafted Dez Fitzpatrick, but those two moves were hardly adequate to replace what Tennessee lost.

But then the Titans went from shaky to rock solid in one move after making a blockbuster trade with the Atlanta Falcons for superstar wide receiver, Julio Jones.

As a result of the addition Jones — and to a lesser extent, Reynolds — CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo believes the Titans are among the three teams who helped their quarterback the most this offseason.

Tennessee pulled off arguably the biggest trade of the 2021 offseason when they acquired seven-time Pro Bowl receiver Julio Jones from the Falcons. While he is coming off of an injury that sidelined him for seven games last season, the 32-year-old Jones looked like his old self during his first minicamp as a Titan. Jones is embracing the chance to work alongside A.J. Brown, a Pro Bowler last season after catching 11 touchdowns and averaging 15.4 yards per catch. Along with having one of the league’s top receiving duos at his disposal, quarterback Ryan Tannehill still has running back Derrick Henry, the league’s rushing champion each of the last two years. Both players will benefit from the team’s second-round selection of former North Dakota State tackle Dillon Radunz. The Titans also were able to sign veteran receiver Josh Reynolds, who set career highs in receptions (52) and receiving yards (618) during his final season with the Rams. 

The other two teams joining the Titans on this list are the New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals, both of whom have made significant additions to their group of pass-catchers in their own right.

Assuming everything works out the way we expect it to, the addition of Jones puts the Titans’ offense on another level for 2021, as Tennessee’s pick-your-poison offense will be a nightmare for opposing defenses to defend.

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Tennessee Titans 2021 training camp preview: Wide receivers

The Titans figure to have at least two spots up for grabs at wide receiver going into training camp.

Before the acquisition of superstar wideout Julio Jones, the Tennessee Titans had major concerns at the wide receiver position, as it was sorely lacking depth behind A.J. Brown and Josh Reynolds.

However, now that Jones is in the mix, everyone has been pushed down a spot on the depth chart, giving the Titans much better depth than they had beforehand.

While we can lock-in four spots at wide receiver on the Titans’ 53-man roster when you include 2021 fourth-round pick, Dez Fitzpatrick, the roles beyond Tennessee’s top three (Brown, Jones, Reynolds) are up for grabs.

As we take a closer look at the position ahead of Tennessee’s training camp, we’ll try to sort things out with what is a crowded but uncertain situation at wide receiver going into training camp, which begins on July 27.

Note: In case you missed our other training camp previews, we’ve linked to them at the bottom of this article.

Titans’ Josh Reynolds talks Julio Jones, getting targets in 2021

Reynolds compared the atmosphere with the Titans to being back at college.

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While every single wide receiver on the Tennessee Titans’ roster will benefit from the knowledge that star wide receiver Julio Jones brings to the table, there is also a downside for some in the group.

With Jones in the mix, everyone in the receiving corps. ( perhaps other than A.J. Brown) gets bumped down a spot on the depth chart, and in turn there will be less targets to go around for everyone.

That could be a problem for fellow wideout Josh Reynolds, who stood to be the No. 2 option in Tennessee’s passing attack before Jones arrived. Now, Reynolds’ chances of having a breakout campaign in a contract year are seriously hurt.

Reynolds doesn’t appear to be worried about that, though — at least not publicly. The former fourth-round pick says everyone is on the same page and believes that as long as he does his job, the ball will find him.

Reynolds noted that Jones was already showing his leadership by “coaching guys up” during his practice debut on Thursday.

One of the intriguing things about Tennessee’s wide receiver group is that it offers versatility, as Reynolds, Jones, Brown, and even fourth-round rookie Dez Fitzpatrick can all play on the outside or in the slot.

While Reynolds isn’t exactly sure how he’ll be deployed, he did say that there is a rotation among the team’s wideouts at practice.

One thing Jones and Reynolds have in common is that both say being with the Titans is almost like being back at college because of the atmosphere, which is definitely a good sign for Tennessee.

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Titans’ WR corps. finished with top 3 PFF grade in 2020

Can the Titans re-create their 2020 success at wide receiver in 2021?

The Tennessee Titans’ wide receiver corps. finished with a top-three grade during the 2020 campaign, according to Pro Football Focus.

Tennessee’s unit finished last season with an overall mark of 85.4, which ranked third in the NFL. Only the Minnesota Vikings’ (89.9) and Buffalo Bills’ (89.0) wideouts had a better combined grade.

That grade was made possible by the Titans’ top-two wideouts from last season, Corey Davis and A.J. Brown, both of whom finished with a top 10 PFF grade in 2020.

Of course, the former is no longer with the team after signing with the New York Jets in free agency, and the Titans also parted ways with oft-injured slot receiver Adam Humphries, and lost tight end Jonnu Smith in free agency, forcing Tennessee to revamp its group of pass-catchers.

Despite adding Josh Reynolds in free agency and Dez Fitzpatrick in the 2021 NFL draft, the Titans are still lacking depth at wide receiver, leading us to believe that another move is coming somewhere down the line.

Most Titans fans are hoping that move is a trade for Julio Jones, who the team has reportedly been having talks with the Atlanta Falcons about. However, Tennessee is considered a “long shot” to acquire him.

Granted, the Titans don’t necessarily need to make that big of a splash to shore up their receivers room, but it’s a go-for-it move we’d love to see nonetheless.

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Josh Reynolds hopes to be deep threat with Titans after running ‘a lot of hitches’ with Rams

Josh Reynolds expects an uptick in deep shots and 50-50 balls with the Titans after running “a lot of hitches” with the Rams.

Josh Reynolds became a starter for the Rams last season after Brandin Cooks was traded to the Texans during the offseason. He saw a career-high 81 passes thrown his way, catching 52 of them for 618 yards and two touchdowns.

Those weren’t bad numbers for the fourth-year receiver, but his yards per reception sat at just 11.9. While that ranked 68th in the NFL, he still led all Rams receivers by more than a yard.

Now a member of the Titans after signing a one-year deal in free agency, Reynolds hopes to run a more expanded route tree. Last season, he says he ran a lot of hitches on the outside, making it difficult for him to pick up yards after the catch.

He told Titans media members that’s part of the reason his yards-per-catch average was lower than in the previous two years.

“We were doing a lot of hitches – or I was doing a lot of hitches on the outside instead of just the strikes, the strikes and the three-level throws where I’m running the over route across the field. So I think that’s a big reason why the yards per catch wasn’t like it was in the past,” he said.

With the Titans, Reynolds hopes to get more chances to catch balls deep down the field. While he didn’t call out the Rams for those limited opportunities, but there was clearly a lack of downfield throws in Los Angeles’ offense last season.

“It’s almost basically going to be a plug-and-play with me and to be able to come in and do what I was doing with the Rams and maybe get a couple more deep balls than I was getting over there.

“We had deep balls in the game plan, but sometimes it just didn’t happen like we were planning on. Reps were just limited as far as deep-ball wise. We couldn’t get our play actions going too much when would struggle in the run game.”

Ryan Tannehill ranked 15th in the NFL in intended air yards, throwing it an average of 7.3 yards down the field. He took plenty of deep shots to A.J. Brown and Corey Davis, so Reynolds is hoping to get some of those opportunities, too.

Jared Goff, on the other hand, had the fourth-lowest intended air yards, rarely throwing it deep to his receivers.

“Tannehill, he likes to throw ’em deep,” Reynolds said. “That’s basically what I did and I am looking forward to being able to kind of have those three-level throws and the strikes like I was doing with the Rams. I’m definitely excited to be able to bring that deep ball kind of threat, and 50-50-ball kind of threat to the Titans.”

Reynolds has the frame to be a 50-50 receiver, but he simply never developed into that type of player. At 6-foot-3 and 196 pounds, he’s built to go up and box out defenders. Those plays just never materialized with the Rams.

He hopes that changes in Tennessee, and the Rams hope that aspect improves with Matthew Stafford and DeSean Jackson joining the fray.

Contract details for Titans’ deal with WR Josh Reynolds

The Josh Reynolds signing amounts to a low-risk move for the Titans.

One week after the Tennessee Titans made the signing of wide receiver Josh Reynolds official, we’re getting our first look at the details of his one-year deal.

According to Spotrac, Reynolds will make a base salary of $1 million and is getting a signing bonus of $750,000, which equals out to a $1.75 million cap hit in 2021.

This is a great deal for the Titans, especially when you consider some of the other receiver contracts that have been handed out this offseason.

Per Spotrac, of the 33 free-agent wideouts whose contract details have been released after signing, Reynolds’ annual average of $1.75 million ranks 23rd and is lower than guys like DeSean Jackson, Andre Roberts, John Ross and David Moore, to name a few.

Granted, Reynolds is a bit of a wild card, but the potential is certainly there for him to have the kind of success Corey Davis did in 2020 when he notched 984 yards and five scores as Ryan Tannehill’s No. 2 target.

Last season, Reynolds was the Los Angeles Rams’ No. 3 option in the passing game and still managed career-highs with 52 receptions and 618 yards. It stands to reason that Reynolds is capable of much more in an offense where he has a bigger role and has players like A.J. Brown and Derrick Henry to take pressure off.

If he falls short of what we’re hoping for, the amount paid out in this deal will soften the blow. If he can match or surpass Davis’ production, Reynolds could end up being the biggest steal of 2021 NFL free agency.

What Josh Reynolds said in first presser since joining Titans

Josh Reynolds believes he can take the role of Corey Davis in 2021.

One of the newest members of the Tennessee Titans, wide receiver Josh Reynolds, met with the media on Thursday for a Zoom press conference for the first time since joining the team on a one-year deal.

Reynolds is entering his fifth season in the NFL and after being part of a crowded receiving corps. during his time with the Los Angeles Rams, he’ll have an opportunity to stake a claim as the Titans’ No. 2 receiver.

That’s because Corey Davis, who was the team’s No. 2 option behind A.J. Brown last season, is no longer with the team after signing with the New York Jets in free agency.

Of course, how prominent Reynolds is featured in the offense will depend upon the moves the Titans make from here on out, but he’s no doubt the favorite to take Davis’ role at the moment.

Reynolds spoke about possibly taking that role over, the versatility he brings to the table and much more during his introductory presser on Thursday. Here’s a look at what he had to say.

Josh Reynolds has message for Titans after signing is made official

Josh Reynolds expressed his excitement to be joining the Tennessee Titans.

On Tuesday, the Tennessee Titans made the signing of wide receiver Josh Reynolds official, and shortly thereafter the 26-year-old had a message for the team and its fans on Twitter.

Reynolds has been inked to a one-year deal, although at the time of this writing it isn’t clear for how much. Barring an obscene amount of money, we’re big fans of this move, giving it an “A” grade.

Reynolds figures to be taking the role of Corey Davis, who left in free agency to the New York Jets, but of course that could change depending on what else the Titans do at the position.

Whatever the case may be, here’s a look at Reynolds’ first message to the Titans and their fans, posted on social media:

From here, the Titans need to make at least one more move to address the position in free agency, and it appears they are intent on doing so after a rumor surfaced that they have interest in Sammy Watkins.

Whether it’s Watkins or another signing, the Titans shouldn’t be done there and must also look to the 2021 NFL draft to add depth and a more long-term solution with one of their first two picks.

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Grade for Titans agreeing to terms with Josh Reynolds

No matter what role he plays, Josh Reynolds was a good signing for the Titans.

After not securing a wide receiver in the wake of Corey Davis and Adam Humphries departing, the Tennessee Titans finally landed one, agreeing to terms with former Los Angeles Rams wideout, Josh Reynolds.

Reynolds enters Nashville on a one-year deal and as a bit of a wild card. He definitely flashed potential during his four-year stint with the Rams, however he had a ton of competition for targets, so he never really got to break out.

Even with that being the case in 2020, Reynolds, who is just 26, still had a solid career year, securing 52 catches for 618 yards and two scores in 16 games (13 starts).

What we don’t know about Reynolds is what role he’ll have in 2021.

The early assumption is that he’ll be a replacement for Davis and be the man to lineup opposite A.J. Brown on offense, a role he could flourish in.

However, it’s also possible Tennessee sees him as a No. 3 at best after another signing in free agency and/or spending an early pick on a wide receiver in the 2021 NFL draft.

No matter what role he plays, we like this signing a lot.

Reynolds brings a 6-foot-3 frame that is great for the red zone, he’s a chain mover (29 of his 52 catches in 2020 went for first downs), he has a reliable set of hands (three drops last season) and has the speed to be a deep threat.

The former fourth-round pick’s versatility is another trait we like. Reynolds can lineup inside and out, as evidenced by his 227 snaps in the slot in 2020.

Furthermore, the offense Rams head coach Sean McVay ran in Los Angeles has similarities to the Titans’ current system, so the transition for Reynolds should be rather smooth overall.

If given a prominent role opposite Brown, Reynolds has the ability to match Davis’ production in our eyes. If he’s any lower on the totem pole, Reynolds is about as good as you can get for a No. 3 receiver.

Grade: A

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