The Tennessee Titans decided to spend their fourth overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft by investing in franchise quarterback Cam Ward. They took former Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate with the pick. Tate is expected to immediately play a legitimate role in Brian Daboll’s offense in 2026.
Tate was excellent at OTAs, catching three touchdowns at the first open practice. He continued to grow and develop at minicamp. We’re now officially underway at training camp, where Tate has taken advantage
of additional opportunities to get better and develop chemistry with Ward.
It wouldn’t be shocking if Tate was the primary read on most passing dropbacks. Of course there will be competition for targets though. The Titans signed Wan’Dale Robinson to a $70 million contract in free agency. Robinson knows Daboll’s offense.
Mike Borgonzi also retained Calvin Ridley via a restructured contract. Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor are developing sophomores. Ayomanor and Ridley have been good at camp. The Titans are deeper at receiver than they’ve ever been, but Tate is still expected to be a focal point.
Rookie wideouts have hit the ground running in recent years. There’s been a 1,000-yard rookie receiver every year in the NFL since 2019, starting with the Titans and A.J. Brown. We had Justin Jefferson in 2020, Ja’Marr Chase and Jaylen Waddle in 2021, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave in 2022, Puka Nacua in 2023, Malik Nabers, Ladd McConkey, and Brian Thomas Jr. in 2024, and Tetairoa McMillan in 2025. Brock Bowers and Kyle Pitts also achieved it from the tight end position.
Of all the rookie receivers in the NFL this season, Tate certainly possesses the best opportunity to produce 1,000 yards. He has Daboll as his offensive coordinator and a developing franchise quarterback in Ward. We’ll see how the Titans’ depth at receiver impacts Tate. He possesses every trait in the right environment to be this year’s 1,000 yard rookie wideout.
