Titans get good value in ex-Rams WR Josh Reynolds

As soon as the season ended, the question of the LA Rams re-signing WR Josh Reynolds formed in the minds of many. That question can finally be put to rest. Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t think there was any coincidence that within 24 hours of the Rams signing speedy veteran wide receiver DeSean Jackson, Reynolds signed with a new team.

In fact, it seemed that as soon as the Rams proved that they were moving on, he did too. In the aftermath, that may have been what prompted Reynolds to sign after all.  This morning, Tennessee Titans beat writer Terry McCormick confirmed that the team did in fact sign LA Rams free-agent wide receiver Josh Reynolds.

So why did Reynolds sign with the Tennessee Titans, and what will he deliver to their offense?

It seems that several teams sought Reynolds. Per reports, the Tennessee Titans overcame competition from the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs. Of course, the LA Rams know what they are losing in Reynolds.  Was it the right move?

Reynolds odd man out

The LA Rams had extended both Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp in 2020, which committed significant cap dollars to their receivers. Unfortunately, the musical chairs game of NFL Free Agency now means that the younger less experienced Reynolds needed to find his big paycheck from another NFL team. And it seems that he has, at least on a one-year prove-it deal.

So what are the Tennessee Titans getting in terms of a new weapon for quarterback Ryan Tannehill? Well, Reynolds made great strides to become a formidable receiver in 2020. He dropped in yards per reception, but his yards per target remained consistent over the past three years.

How is that? He caught far more passes, raising his completion percentage. But those new catches happened in traffic, lowering his YAC (yards after catch). So while he caught more passes, he did so among closer coverage. The results are desirable but were such that he was unable to sustain a good YAC number.

Reynolds ready to step up

Reynolds elevated his game in 2020. So much so that he became the go-to receiver in a number of games. While only three of four passes were completed in the 2020 NFL Playoffs, all three moved the chains. And he averaged nearly 22 yards per catch.  That is quite a step up from his previous three years, and it’s that on-the-rise performance that makes him so intriguing for the Titans. He proved that he can be the number two wide receiver.

The Titans lost WR Cory Davis to free agency. Now the 6-foot-3 196-pound receiver will make up that lost production. Cory Davis was 65 of 92 for 984 yards and five touchdowns. Compare Reynolds 52 of 81 for 618 yards and two touchdowns and Reynolds is comparable production at a fraction of the cost.

Look for even more progress for Reynolds on the Titans roster. Now, with a steady diet of playing and passes in store for him each week, he could improve quickly in the Steady-Freddie passing of Ryan Tannehill. My gut instinct tells me that the Titans will re-sign Reynolds to a multi-year deal after his 2021 audition.