Once upon a time--specifically, roughly 365 days ago--Xavier Restrepo was the new kid on the block, a rookie trying to carve out his niche in the NFL. Now, entering his second season, he's the seasoned veteran at rookie minicamp. That is the strange, beautiful math of professional football, and it was on full display Friday as Restrepo took the field with the Tennessee Titans' newest batch of draft picks and undrafted rookies.
Per Titans Wire, the second-year wideout was on-field and active during the team's rookie minicamp on May 2, 2026. While that might not sound like a headline that shakes the foundations of the AFC South, it is a quietly significant development for a Titans team undergoing a massive offensive renovation under head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
Why Restrepo's Presence Matters
Let's be clear: Rookie minicamp is not mandatory for returning players. Most second-year players use this weekend to rest, train elsewhere, or ease back into the facility. By choosing to be on the field--going through drills, running routes, and helping the rookies learn the system--Restrepo is sending a signal to the coaching staff.
He is committed. He is invested. And perhaps most importantly, he is healthy.
For a Titans receiving corps that has undergone an absolute facelift since last season, Restrepo's involvement is a high-value sign. The Titans are entering 2026 with a fundamentally reimagined wide receiver room. Calvin Ridley remains the alpha on the perimeter, and Wan'Dale Robinson came over in free agency to provide a dynamic slot presence. The team invested draft capital in Carnell Tate and Elic Ayomanor, signaling that this is a group built for the future, not just the present.
Where does that leave Restrepo?
Somewhere between "camp body" and "core contributor" -- and rookie minicamp is where that distinction gets defined.
From Miami to Nashville: The Restrepo Profile
For those who need a refresher, Restrepo arrived in Nashville as an undrafted free agent out of Miami (FL) in 2025. He was a fan favorite in Coral Gables, known for his crisp route running, reliable hands, and an almost obsessive approach to technique. He wasn't going to blow anyone away with a 4.4 40-yard dash or a 40-inch vertical, but he understood how to get open.
That skillset translates beautifully to Brian Daboll's offensive scheme. Daboll, who is now installing his system in Tennessee after his successful stint as New York Giants offensive coordinator, prizes versatility and football intelligence. He needs receivers who can align in multiple spots, read coverages the same way the quarterback does, and make the correct split-second decision.
That is Restrepo's game.
During his rookie season in 2025, Restrepo was primarily a practice squad player who saw limited action. He flashed in the preseason, showing the same separation ability that made him a college standout, but he was buried on a depth chart that, at the time, featured different personnel. Now, with a new offensive coordinator, a new quarterback room, and a new philosophy, the slate is clean.
The Rookie Minicamp Factor
Rookie minicamp is often overlooked by the broader NFL media. It's shorts and helmets. It's install periods and walkthroughs. There are no padded collisions or game-speed reps. But for a player like Restrepo, this weekend is an extended job interview.
He is competing against the rookies--namely, the Titans' 2026 wide receiver draft picks and undrafted free agents--but he is also being evaluated alongside them. The coaching staff gets a live look at Restrepo running the routes they just taught the new players. They see his timing, his understanding of the playbook, and his ability to communicate adjustments.
If he looks like he belongs--if he looks like he's been here before, which he has--he solidifies his spot in the pecking order.
More importantly, Restrepo being on the field now builds chemistry with the quarterbacks who are also in attendance. Cam Ward, the Titans' rookie quarterback and presumed future of the franchise, was taking plenty of reps this weekend. Second-year signal-caller Hendon Hooker, still in the mix for the starting job, was also present. For Restrepo to be running routes for those two quarterbacks--establishing timing and trust--is invaluable.
Will Levis, the incumbent starter, was not on the field for rookie minicamp, but the quarterback competition in Tennessee is very much alive. Every rep Restrepo takes now is a rep that could pay dividends in the fall.
What This Means for the Wide Receiver Room
Let's look at the Titans' current wide receiver roster, directly from the authoritative source:
Calvin Ridley, Wan'Dale Robinson, Carnell Tate, Elic Ayomanor, Chimere Dike, Mason Kinsey, Lance McCutcheon, Bryce Oliver, K.J. Osborn, Hal Presley III, Xavier Restrepo, Tyren Montgomery, and Hank Beatty.
That is a crowded room. Ridley and Robinson are locked into starting roles when healthy. Tate, a talented rookie, and Ayomanor, another rookie with high upside, are expected to push for significant playing time immediately. That leaves a deep rotation of players fighting for the final few spots on the 53-man roster and practice squad.
K.J. Osborn is a veteran who has produced in the NFL. Chimere Dike has shown ability. Mason Kinsey is a fan favorite with special teams value.
Where does Restrepo fit?
His niche is the slot. Wan'Dale Robinson is the projected starter there, but Robinson has a history of injuries and is at his best when he is not forced to play 70 snaps per game. Daboll loves using multiple slot receivers to create matchup problems. Restrepo, with his quickness and route savvy, is a natural backup to Robinson.
If Restrepo has improved his physicality and special teams value over the offseason, his path to the roster becomes much clearer. Being on the field for rookie minicamp--voluntarily--suggests he is putting in the work.
Broader Context: The Titans Offensive Reset
This minicamp clip is a small piece of a much larger puzzle. The Tennessee Titans are in the midst of a full-scale offensive rebuild. General manager Mike Borgonzi and head coach Robert Saleh have made it clear that the offense will not look like the ground-and-pound units of years past.
Brian Daboll is installing a system that emphasizes pre-snap motion, run-pass options, and attacking the middle of the field. That system requires receivers who can think on their feet and adjust on the fly. Route precision and separation are the new priorities.
Restrepo fits that mold. He is not the biggest, fastest, or strongest receiver on the roster. But he might be one of the smartest. And in a Daboll offense, that counts for something.
The Restrepo Outlook
So what should Titans fans expect from Xavier Restrepo in 2026?
Realistically, the ceiling is a rotational slot receiver who catches 20-30 balls and provides valuable depth. The floor is a practice squad player who gets called up when injuries hit. Training camp and the preseason will determine exactly where he lands.
But his decision to be on the field at rookie minicamp--working alongside the drafted rookies, showing the coaching staff he is ready to compete--is a step in the right direction. It is the kind of move that front offices notice. It is the kind of move that turns a roster bubble player into a roster lock.
At this point, Restrepo is not a household name. He is not the player fans are buying jerseys of. But in the NFL, success is often built on the margins. It is built by second-year undrafted free agents who show up to the facility early, stay late, and refuse to let their opportunity slip away.
Restrepo was on the field at rookie minicamp. That is not a guarantee of anything. But it is a start.
And in a wide receiver room suddenly bursting with talent and competition, every start matters.
Final Thoughts
The Titans are building something new. Robert Saleh and Brian Daboll are laying the foundation for an offense that looks fundamentally different from what Nashville has seen in recent years. Rookie minicamp is the first brick in that foundation.
For Xavier Restrepo, it was the first chance to show he belongs in the new regime's plans. By taking the field with the rookies, he demonstrated that he is not taking his spot for granted. He is fighting for it.
That is the kind of mentality that wins jobs. And it is the kind of mentality that could make Restrepo a valuable piece of the Titans' puzzle in 2026 and beyond.
Keep an eye on No. 87 this preseason. He might just surprise you.