Titans Rookie WR Elic Ayomanor Starts Hot, But Recent Struggles Show Where Growth Is Needed
When the Titans selected Elic Ayomanor with the 136th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, it looked like they might’ve landed one of the biggest steals of the class. The former Stanford standout had been ranked 70th on Arif Hassan’s consensus big board, and he wasted no time validating that buzz. Through the first four games of the season, Ayomanor led Tennessee in both receiving yards and touchdowns - not bad for a Day 3 rookie in one of the league’s most limited offenses.
Dig into the numbers, and the early returns were promising. According to PFF, Ayomanor averaged 1.29 yards per route run during that opening stretch - 54th among 91 qualifying receivers (minimum 75 routes). That’s a respectable mark, especially for a rookie adjusting to NFL speed while working in a struggling offense still trying to find its identity.
But fast forward 11 weeks, and the story has taken a turn.
Ayomanor’s production has nosedived. Over that span, his yards per route run has dropped to 0.74 - ranking 82nd out of 89 receivers with at least 200 routes.
And if you zoom in on just the last five weeks? It gets even more concerning: 0.39 yards per route, the lowest in the league.
So, what happened?
The biggest shift coincides with the loss of veteran wideout Calvin Ridley. Ridley has played just seven snaps since Week 5, and his absence has had a domino effect on the Titans’ passing game.
With Ridley on the field, defenses had to respect his presence, often rolling coverage his way and leaving Ayomanor in more favorable matchups. Ayomanor was getting single coverage, usually against CB2s or even nickel corners.
He was thriving as the X receiver in that setup.
But with Ridley sidelined, Ayomanor became the de facto No. 1 - and defenses adjusted. Suddenly, he wasn’t just the rookie with upside; he was the focal point of opposing game plans. And that spotlight hasn’t been kind.
One area where the shift is most noticeable is in contested catch situations. In the five games with Ridley, Ayomanor hauled in seven of 13 contested targets - a solid 54% success rate, and those plays accounted for half of his total receptions during that stretch.
Since Ridley’s been out? Just four contested targets in eight games, and only two catches.
The Titans aren’t throwing him those jump-ball chances anymore, and without them, Ayomanor has had to rely on creating separation - an area where he’s clearly still developing.
Right now, route running is a major hurdle. Ayomanor’s not yet processing coverage quickly, and he’s often too deliberate in his movements. His breaks can be rounded instead of sharp, and he sometimes uses technique for the sake of it - like slowing down or flashing his eyes at a defender he’s already beaten, which gives the DB a chance to recover.
There’s a learning curve here, and Ayomanor is right in the middle of it.
A recent clip that’s been making the rounds illustrates the issue perfectly. Off the line, Ayomanor creates early separation - but instead of accelerating into his route, he slows down and shows his eyes to the defender, effectively inviting them back into the play. It’s a small detail, but it’s the kind of nuance that separates good route runners from great ones in the NFL.
The good news? Ayomanor brings effort and energy, especially as a blocker.
That’s not just coach-speak - it matters. His willingness to do the dirty work allows him to stay on the field in single-receiver sets and gives him a role in play-action-heavy looks where he can sneak behind the defense for a shot play.
Right now, that’s where he fits best: as a rotational piece who can flash when the situation is right. But the tools are there. If he can refine his route running and develop a better feel for how to manipulate defenders, there’s still plenty of upside.
For now, though, the Titans are seeing the growing pains that often come with young receivers thrust into big roles too soon. Ayomanor started strong, and there’s reason to believe he can get back on track - but it’s going to take time, reps, and a little more help around him.