Tennessee Titans: Why Andre Johnson is a Perfect Fit

Here’s why Andre Johnson can be a perfect fit for what the Tennessee Titans need in 2016.

Multiple reports surfaced on Tuesday about veteran wide receiver Andre Johnson being spotted at the Tennessee Titans facilities. ESPN’s Adam Schefter went on to report that it was a ‘feel out session’ for both parties involved, and that a contract isn’t really on the table as of right now.

Related Story: Which 5 Titans Must Step Up in 2016?

Titans GM Jon Robinson can not be feeling too confident about his current crop of pass catchers- and for a good reason. Not one name sticks out as a top pass-catching threat out of the group, and the most seasoned veteran player out of the wide receivers is Harry Douglas, who may not even make the final cut come September.

A veteran wide receiver who has put up impressive numbers for a long stretch is exactly what the Tennessee Titans need for a variety of reasons.

First, people need to understand that Johnson is 35 years old, and his days of 100 catch seasons are in the rearview mirror. Last season with the Indianapolis Colts, we saw signs of the former Miami Hurricane slowing down, as father time will eventually catch up to everybody, including a player who has seen the success Andre Johnson has over the course of his career.

In Tennessee, however, Johnson wouldn’t be asked to be the primary playmaker on the outside. Titans head coach Mike Mularkey is implementing the ‘exotic smash-mouth’ offense he coined during his time in Pittsburgh. It’s based around running the football, physically.

What that means for Johnson is less reps/targets, which will help allow his body to make it through an entire season with minimal wear and tear. His primary gig would be as a chain-mover, someone Mariota can look to in pressure situations, like third downs, when the defense is already keying in on Pro Bowl tight end Delanie Walker, whom the signal -caller relied on far too heavily last season.

The former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback needs someone who can stay composed in key moments of the game, and Johnson has proved to do that over and over again.

Titans fans are quick to forget it’s only Mariota’s second season in the NFL, and that he is still developing despite having an impressive rookie season with little talent around him.

Last season, nobody on the outside was a consistent threat, which needs to change if he is to make the leap into the elite quarterback category.

Having a veteran who knows how to run routes and beat defenses with body positioning can be huge for the development of a young face of the franchise, especially one who relies on anticipating routes as much as any passer in the league.

Andre Johnson would not only speed up Mariota’s development, but also second year pass catcher Dorial Green-Beckham, which my fellow NFL Spin Zone writer Nick Ziegler was also quick to point out.

"Even though Johnson is not the wide receiver that he was in his prime, he can still be a productive veteran for the Titans. With a young receiving corps, Johnson would be a very good teacher to a player like Dorial Green-Beckham."

Both Johnson and Green-Beckham are big, physical pass catchers who are still extremely athletic, despite their large frames. “DGB” is actually bigger than Johnson being listed at 6’5″, 237 pounds, while the former Texan and Colt is listed at 6’3″, 228 pounds Both players were able to run in the 4.4s, in the forty yard dash (via NFLDraftScout.com).

Those physical comparisons are great, but they will mean absolutely nothing if Green-Beckham never comes around as the play maker he was drafted to be when he was selected in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Over his 13-year career, Johnson has gone over the 1,000 yard mark seven times. With that type of production, there is no question the established veteran has a thing or two to teach the incredibly raw but talented Green-Beckham, who was able to accumulate 550 yards on only 32 grabs in his debut NFL campaign.

Winning a disappointing total of five games over the past two seasons, the Titans need to do better within their division if they are to have a chance at the playoffs come 2016. Johnson is someone who can help ignite the fire for the team for the pivotal divisional games, as he’s played for two out of the three other teams in the division.

In 2015, Johnson’s best game was against his old Houston team, when he caught six balls for 77 yards and two touchdowns. That passion and emotion from a veteran presence like Andre Johnson can be huge for a young offense like Tennessee’s.

More nfl spin zone: Which Titan Determines the Offense's Success Come 2016?

In the end, I only expect this pairing to happen if an injury occurs during the pre season, but it could wind up being a brilliant move by Robinson if he decides to take a flier on the veteran.