Fantasy Preview: Ward Should Immediately Improve Titans' Fantasy Opportunities

By Todd Cordell

The Titans were the worst team in the NFL last season and more pain is coming in 2025. Quarterback Cam Ward should give them improved play at the league’s most important position, but there will be growing pains and he doesn’t have enough support around him to compensate.

Factor in the defense should once again be a subpar unit at best, and the only pathway to competitiveness is likely the division they play in. The Titans need to suffer through another rebuilding year and splash resources to better support Ward next off-season.

Odds to Make Playoffs: +425

• Quarterback: Cam Ward

  • 2024 Stats (University of Miami): 13 games, 305-454, 67.2% completion, 4,313 yards, 9.5 avg, 331 yards/game, 39 TD, 7 Int

  • Cam Ward won’t have a lot to work with in his rookie season, which is common for a 1st overall pick since they always land on bottom feeders. The Titans offensive line should be competent with the investments made in free agency, but they don’t have many gamebreakers for Ward to get the ball to and make his numbers pop. Keep expectations in check for Ward in Year 1.

• Running Back: Tony Pollard 

  • 2024 Stats: 16 games, 260 carries, 1,079 yards, 4.2 average, 5 TD, 67.4 yards/game, 2 fumbles lost

  • Tony Pollard had a solid but unspectacular season in 2024. He should be a reliable contributor again in 2025 as the No. 1 back in an improving offense. With Ward at quarterback and an improved offensive line to run behind, the Titans should have an easier time moving the ball this season. They won’t be a prolific offense but they should be competent, making Pollard a valuable asset as the RB1 in Tennessee.

• Wide Receiver: Calvin Ridley

  • 2024 Stats: 17 games, 64 receptions, 120 targets, 1,017 yards, 15.9 average, 4 TD, 59.8 yards/game, 231 yards after catch

  • Calvin Ridley caught just over half of his targets in 2024, which is at least partly attributed to a lot of inaccurate throws from his quarterbacks. Ward should help with that, as should a bolstered offensive line allowing for more time for plays to develop. Ridley may not have the same kind of explosiveness in terms of yards per catch, but he should be a target hog and is likely to best last season’s touchdown output. 

• Tight End: Chig Okongwu

  • 2024 Stats: 17 games, 52 receptions, 70 targets, 479 yards, 9.2 average, 2 TD, 28.2 yards/game, 253 yards after catch

  • Chig Okongwu has just six touchdowns through three NFL seasons and has never recorded more than 530 yards receiving yards. He shows occasional flashes making big plays after the catch, but he just doesn’t command many targets — nor has he established himself as a consistent red zone threat. He could offer a little more value with better quarterbacking and offensive line play, but he’s unlikely to be a focal point in the offense. He’s likely nothing more than a stream starter.

• Defense

  • 2024 Stats: 27.1 points allowed per game, 41.3% 3rd down, 76.9% 4th down, 11 interceptions, 32 sacks, 10 fumbles caused, 6 fumbles recovered, 0 touchdowns

  • The Titans were a Swiss cheese defensive unit in 2024 and things don’t look a whole lot better moving forward. They don’t have much in the way of established pass rushers and there are question marks on all three levels of the defense. Don’t expect many big plays from this unit.