Context:

Elic Ayomanor has been tasked with filling the significant void left by Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who departed the Tennessee Titans for the Miami Dolphins in free agency. Ayomanor, a fourth-round draft pick from Stanford, is expected to step into the WR-X position, previously occupied by the Titans' top touchdown scorer and second in receiving yardage. Highlighted by his remarkable 2023 season performance, Ayomanor's potential was showcased in a notable game where he made a critical touchdown catch against Colorado. With Cam Ward at quarterback and other receivers like Tyler Lockett and Calvin Ridley adjusting to their roles, Ayomanor is positioned to become a crucial target for the team. As the Titans transition into a new era, they are relying on younger talent like Ayomanor rather than veteran players to anchor key positions.

Dive Deeper:

• Elic Ayomanor, a fourth-round draft pick from Stanford, has been chosen to replace Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who signed with the Miami Dolphins, leaving behind a critical role at the WR-X position for the Tennessee Titans.

• Ayomanor is recognized as a promising downfield threat and is anticipated to contribute significantly to the Titans' offense by filling in for Westbrook-Ikhine, who was the team's top touchdown scorer and second in receiving yardage.

• During his 2023 season, Ayomanor demonstrated his capabilities with a standout performance against Colorado, where he caught a crucial touchdown that helped Stanford overcome a 29-0 halftime deficit to win 46-43 in double overtime.

• The Titans are undergoing a transition with Cam Ward as a key quarterback, while veteran receivers like Tyler Lockett and Calvin Ridley play more selective roles due to age and other uncertainties, making Ayomanor a focal point in the receiving game.

• The shift in focus towards younger talent such as Ayomanor marks a new era for the Titans, as they move away from relying on aging veterans to lead their receiving corps.

• Ayomanor's role is emphasized as part of a broader strategy to rejuvenate the Titans' lineup and maintain competitiveness in the league following significant changes in their roster.

• The team is looking to Ayomanor to become a reliable target for Cam Ward, especially with the absence of other established players to fill the void left by Westbrook-Ikhine's departure.

• Tennessee’s fourth-round 2025 NFL draft pick, Elic Ayomanor, has sizable shoes to fill this season. The Titans lost Nick Westbrook-Ikhine in free agency to the Dolphins, but drafted the Stanford product to produce at the WR-X spot.

• ESPN’s Turron Davenport reported Ayomanor’s assignment – replacing the top touchdown scorer and No. 2 in receiving yardage in Tennessee’s receiving corps – in his piece titled, “What questions do Cam Ward, Titans face after the draft?”

• “Ayomanor is a big target who showed flashes as a downfield threat and should help fill the X position vacated by Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who signed with the Miami Dolphins this offseason,” Davenport wrote.

• Ayomanor had a more stellar 2023 season than his final season with the Cardinal in their first campaign in the ACC. His career highlight was undoubtedly a third touchdown catch, one in which he “Moss’d” Travis Hunter to force a second overtime, during a 294-yard masterpiece. Stanford beat Colorado 46-43 after being down 29-0 at halftime.

• Ayomanor immediately becomes one of Cam Ward’s workhorse targets, with Tyler Lockett expected to pick spots more at the age of 32 and Calvin Ridley being a question mark in general.

• Given the change under center from Will Levis and Mason Rudolph to the No. 1 overall pick from April’s draft, there is no transition from Westbrook-Ikhine to anyone under center.

• That’s barring an untimely injury to the former Miami star, of course.

• Tennessee is moving into a new era, and Ayomanor is as big a part of that as any. Titan fans aren’t continuing to hold out hope for aging veterans to anchor one of the game’s most important positions.