The 2026 NFL Draft is behind us, and teams are preparing to get a first look at their new draftees as rookie minicamps are about to take center stage.
Tennessee Titans
The 2026 draft pivoted when the Titans shocked the world with the Carnell Tate pick at No. 4 overall. Although most observers viewed the Ohio State star as the No. 1 wideout in the class, the decision to take a collegiate WR2 over a freakishly athletic pass rusher (Arvell Reese) and off-ball linebacker (Sonny Styles) has put Robert Saleh’s debut class under the microscope. Perhaps Tate will silence the critics by playing at a superstar level, but he will need to adapt to a new role and more responsibility as the WR1 for a team that lacks an elite supporting cast around him.
The Titans traded back into the first round to acquire a big-bodied edge rusher, Keldric Faulk, with modest sack production. While there was plenty of love in the scouting community for the Auburn star as a run defender, the Titans are counting on the 21-year-old to transform into an Arik Armstead-type defender with inside-outside versatility. Considering how collegiate sack production typically translates into NFL performance, the Titans will need their second first-rounder to remake his game to match his draft expectations.
With second-round pick Anthony Hill slated to be a Day 1 starter at middle linebacker, the Titans are counting on three developmental playmakers to fill voids on a squad looking to climb out of the AFC South cellar.
The logic being displayed by this (and a few other national) takes is somewhat confusing. Tennessee chose to add a weapon with the fourth overall selection, and they clearly scouted and valued Carnell Tate as a player, and are being somewhat criticized for drafting a player that was widely regarded as a top 5 to 10 player in this class.