UDFA wide receiver Xavier Restrepo has been at the back of the Titans’ WR rotation throughout the first week of training camp.

The story of Xavier Restrepo’s entry into the NFL unfolds against a backdrop of high expectations, academic productivity at Miami, scouting skepticism, and a critical door‑opening endorsement from Tennessee’s new franchise quarterback, Cam Ward. Now, during the early stages of training camp, Restrepo’s slide toward the bottom of the wide‑receiver rotation reflects both the steep competition he faces and the tug between roster realities and intangible potential.

From record‑setting to undrafted
Restrepo arrived at the University of Miami after an impressive high‑school career, concluding his five-year college tenure as Miami’s all‑time receptions leader (200 catches), receiving yards leader (2,844), and receiving touchdowns leader (21. His senior season in 2024 saw him catch 69 passes for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning consensus All‑American and first‑team All‑ACC honors

Despite that college production, NFL teams shied away on draft day. Restrepo recorded a 4.83‑second 40‑yard dash at his pro day—well underwhelming by receiver standards—and that performance appears to have wiped out enthusiasm from several teams. As one draft analyst put it, “there has essentially been no successful receivers in the modern era to have found legitimate success in the NFL running in the 4.8s or lower” (Reddit). Another hypothesis among draft watchers: an injured hamstring may have sabotaged his official time; some insiders believe his athleticism could be closer to the 4.6 range he ran previously, had he not been hurt (Reddit, Reddit).

Regardless, Restrepo went undrafted, which made him available as a free agent. Cam Ward, the Titans’ No. 1 overall pick in 2025, immediately lobbied for his old Miami teammate; their preexisting chemistry—built during joint film sessions and practice routines—became a key reason Tennessee ran the deal (ussportupdate, Tennessee Titans, Motociclismo).

Signing and early buzz
The Titans ultimately signed Restrepo to a three‑year, $2.9 million undrafted rookie contract. Ward publicly advocated for the selection, saying: “He’s one of the most underrated players … best route runner in college football last year” (Talksport, ussportupdate). Head coach Brian Callahan acknowledged Restrepo’s talent and productivity: “he might not necessarily be the biggest or the fastest … but he’s been incredibly productive and has found ways to play football the right way” (SI, Tennessee Titans).

At OTAs and rookie minicamp, Restrepo quickly surfaced as a standout performer. In OTAs, he worked often with Ward, tied for team lead with multiple receptions, and showed a knack for executing “dirty‑work” slot routes that coaches value (Soy Futbol, Tennessee Titans). In minicamp, he led all receivers with six catches during team drills, four of which were throws from Ward; he ran sharp timing routes, showcased strong hands, and earned praise from WR coach Tyke Tolbert for his ability to “get open in the slot” even without elite speed (Our Esquina, Soy Futbol).

Special teams coach John Fassel also highlighted Restrepo’s potential in the kicking and return game—an important avenue to roster inclusion when battling for a low WR spot (Our Esquina).

Entering training camp: a deep, stacked receiver room
As training camp opened in late July 2025, the Titans’ wide receiver corps was crowded. Several veterans and recent draft picks assuredly ranked ahead:

• Tyler Lockett, a proven veteran signing who expects a major offensive role
• Calvin Ridley, a former first‑round pick with big‑play ability
• Treylon Burks, a 2022 first‑rounder with upside
• Van Jefferson, experienced and versatile
• Plus rookies Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor, fourth‑round draft picks heavily invested by the team.

With four returning or returning‑level starters already locked and two drafted rookies projected to be high on the depth chart, that potentially leaves only two roster spots open—and Restrepo is competing perennially for one of those last slots (Talksport, M Sports, Fan Recap).

Early in camp, reports indicated that Restrepo was working his way in on special teams and slot assignments but clearly lagging behind the more established names in the rotation. Coaches repeatedly emphasized the importance of versatility—able to contribute in return sets, inside route combos, and perhaps situational outside snaps—but Restrepo still had to earn trust beyond off‑script OTAs and minicamp flashes.

Why the “back of the rotation” status?
Despite his chemistry with Ward and strong tape, several factors explain why Restrepo is currently near the bottom of the depth chart:

1. Lack of elite physical traits: His 40‑yard time was among the slowest for receivers in combine history at 4.83 seconds. That deficiency in top‑end speed limits his upside as a vertical threat or outside option. Analysts have compared him to slot‑only threats like Danny Amendola or Julian Edelman, emphasizing his lack of size and speed but steady production and toughness (Bleacher Report, Motociclismo, Reddit, Reddit).
2. Elite competition ahead: The Titans invested real draft capital in Dike and Ayomanor, and retained veteran core pieces. Breaking into that mix requires extraordinary camp or preseason production.
3. Roster pragmatism: Starting the season with six wide receivers is typical. With four locks and two rookies, Restrepo may only beat out another backup if he shows value on special teams or in packages. Coaches emphasize value versatility in borderline players—and while he is showing that, he still must prove consistency in coverage drills, blocking, and adaptability to different roles (Our Esquina, M Sports).
4. Slow start vs. assumptions: While initial camp reps are encouraging, being near the bottom doesn’t necessarily reflect negatively—it’s just where undrafted rookies usually begin. Many UDFA’s earn early reps on scout teams, with limited first‑team run until injuries or standout camp performances force push.

What he brings—and why he still matters
Though positioned near the tail end of the rotation, Restrepo still brings distinct traits and intangibles that keep his roster hopes alive:

• Elite route precision and short‑area quickness: As Bleacher Report’s scouting department noted, Restrepo is elite in option routes, zone exploitation, and timing concepts. He commands the soft spots in coverage rather than trying to out‑athlete defenders (Bleacher Report).
• Football IQ and timing rapport with Cam Ward: Their early morning film sessions didn’t stop at Miami—they’ve continued in Nashville. That timing helps elevate his value in RPO and quick‑passing schemes where precision beats athleticism (Tennessee Titans, NEWZECHO, Motociclismo).
• Production under pressure: Despite subpar testing numbers and small physical frame, Restrepo’s consistent collegiate output demonstrates reliability and polish—a model of “football intelligence over raw athleticism” (ussportupdate, Tennessee Titans).
• Work ethic and grit: Accounts from camp—both open and bystanders—describe him as among the hardest workers in the building. His willingness to take reps, lace up for special teams, and earn trust through any role earns respect from coaches (NEWZECHO, M Sports).
• Special teams and return flexibility: Fassel and Tolbert both highlighted his ability to contribute on return units and even block in space—adding value outside just passing downs (Our Esquina).
• Positive reaction to elite coaching: His recent participation in Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson’s wideout workshop—which included players like Tyreek Hill, Ja’Marr Chase, and Amon‑Ra St. Brown—demonstrates his desire to keep improving. He described the event as “legendary vibes,” and insiders note he took away techniques for releases, route deception, and footwork refinement that can help compensate for lack of speed (Fan Recap, PFSN).

Camp performance and narrative so far
During the first week, Restrepo’s performance is best summarized as productive but still provisional. He’s not commanding first‑team reps, but he’s showing up in the WC (special teams) and third‑string packages. Observers report him running crisp routes in seven‑on‑seven drills, catching everything in sight, and finding soft zones quickly. Yet with Lockett, Ridley, Burks, Jefferson, and the two drafted rookies entrenched ahead, he’s still fighting for recognition beyond depth depth charts.

The main narratives coming out of camp—thus far—are:

• Ward and Restrepo continue to build their timing and connection.
• Coaches value his instincts and route intelligence, but wait to see reliable consistency in fuller contact drills and scrimmage settings.
• Special teams remain the most plausible path to the roster for him.
• The depth chart spot he’s occupying now is common for camp: unless injuries or surprises occur, he’s likely to remain near the bottom until preseason game reps allow him to move up.

What would vault him forward?
Restrepo’s path to cracking the Titans’ final 53 hinges on several potential scenarios:

1. Dominant preseason games: Explosive catches, precise route running, and even spark in return sets can force coaches to elevate him. UDFA’s often live or die based on preseason film.
2. Injury in front of him: Should one of the 6 locked receivers suffer injury, the Titans may turn to Restrepo if he’s showing ready chemistry with Ward.
3. Special teams core role: If he locks down gunners, return options, or consistent blocking in those units—showing plus contributions in a phase where starters often aren’t used—that alone can earn a roster spot.
4. Continued Ward chemistry: If public early season film shows Ward looking to him in quick game packages or in goal‑line red zone sets, coaches may be more inclined to keep him active on gameday rosters (even if not on the offensive starting rotation).
5. Steady improvements in practice discipline: Limited false starts, clean releases, smart blocking in space, and consistent film study show maturity. Coaches love dogs who minimize negatives while maximizing game awareness.

Challenges and long‑term outlook
Still, several realities temper his odds:

• The offense was redesigned to target vertical threats, perimeter speed, and downfield stretch plays—areas where Restrepo lacks pre‑season athletic upside.
• Coaches and front office clearly spent draft capital on Dike and Ayomanor—so Restrepo must outperform them in camp/preseason for roster priority.
• His physical limitations (small catch radius, lack of separation against press, modest size) continue to trickle into evaluations. While he’s a technician, press corners and physical secondaries remain challenging matchups for him
• At 23 years old, with a slower breakout and durability concerns from a foot injury in college, some evaluators peg him with limited ceiling—even if he is reliable (Reddit).

In the broader arc: if Restrepo beats the odds, his career path may resemble Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, or Wes Welker—undersized, slot‑specialist receivers who carve out long careers through intelligence and reliability, not sheer athleticism (

Summary of the current moment (Week 1 camp)
As of this first week of Titans training camp, Xavier Restrepo is firmly perched at the back of the wide receiver rotation. He trails behind veterans and drafted rookies on the depth chart. But behind that placement lies a compelling story:

• Undrafted after a productive college career and poor testing, he’s working from nothing.
• Cam Ward’s endorsement both invited opportunity and set expectations.
• Restrepo has been consistent in drills, especially timing routes and chemistry sessions, but has not yet overtaken established players.
• His best shot for making the 53‑man roster lies in special teams impact and standout preseason play.
• Coaches respect his craft and effort. But they still need to trust him in live‑contact, press‑coverage, and blocking packages to elevate him.

Beyond camp, his long‑term projection depends on continued development in beat press technique, refining his release speed (such as learning from workouts with Tyreek Hill and others), and absorbing coaching from veterans like Ridley and Jefferson. If he can continue to earn attention through crisp, dependable play at every rep—and elevate his special‑teams impact—he could transform from a depth candidate into a schemed slot contributor.

In short: Restrepo isn’t in the spotlight yet—but he’s quietly seeding his opportunity. Training camp’s early narrative places him at the back, but the storyline is still unwritten.