NFL executives weigh in on Titans' draft class

The fallout from the 2026 NFL Draft continues to unfold, even as teams welcome their rookies to facilities across the league for minicamps, and the Tennessee Titans continue to get mixed reviews.

In a class that has been polarizing across the media landscape, it appears NFL executives have a different take than some analysts and insiders who have criticized the haul. Mike Sando of The Athletic spoke with NFL executives for unfiltered reactions, and, of course, they touched on the Titans.

Tennessee Titans

Execs saw the selection of receiver Carnell Tate as a safe pick for a second-year GM (Mike Borgonzi), whose profile has grown with the team president’s resignation.

“Here is a guy (Tate) that is never going to screw up,” one exec said. “He is a guy you are going to want on a second contract. They have had horrible receivers there for a decade-plus. He doesn’t have any injury history like (Jordyn Tyson), and those were the only receivers worthy of a top-10 pick.”

Not long after the Titans used the fourth pick to select Tate, the Chiefs traded up three spots to No. 6 for cornerback Mansoor Delane.

The implication seemed clear: Tate was one of the players the Chiefs were strongly considering, and when he disappeared from the board, Kansas City moved up to make sure it got one of the players on its short list.

The shared interest in Tate tracked after the Titans, led by Borgonzi, a former longtime Chiefs executive, described Tate as a receiver who could threaten all three levels of a defense. That sounded straight from Chiefs coach Andy Reid.

“Solid player,” a different exec said of Tate. “Not explosive fast, but he’s strong and tough. I’d like him to have more instincts and a little more burst.”

Tennessee traded up four spots for edge rusher Keldric Faulk at No. 31.