The Tennessee Titans drafted wide receiver Carnell Tate from Ohio State with the No. 4 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. This move aims to enhance the passing game for second-year quarterback Cam Ward under new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
Key points
Tennessee Titans drafted Carnell Tate with the No. 4 pick
Tate is from Ohio State
Investment in quarterback Cam Ward's development
Brian Daboll is the new offensive coordinator
Tate expected to be a top target in the passing game
After bolstering the defense in the offseason, it's a clear investment by the Titans in second-year quarterback Cam Ward, last year's No. 1 overall pick, adding a weapon to the passing game as Brian Daboll takes over as offensive coordinator.
Tate projects to emerge as Ward's top option in the passing game, but how does he fit in among Tennessee's current crop of receivers?
Mar 5, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) stretches with wide receiver Reis Stocksdale (87) during the first spring practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
Q&A
Who did the Tennessee Titans draft in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Tennessee Titans drafted wide receiver Carnell Tate from Ohio State with the No. 4 pick.
What impact will Carnell Tate have on the Titans' offense?
Carnell Tate is expected to become the top option for second-year quarterback Cam Ward in the passing game.
Why did the Titans draft a wide receiver in 2026?
The Titans aimed to bolster their offense and support quarterback Cam Ward after focusing on defense in the offseason.
Who is the new offensive coordinator for the Titans?
Brian Daboll is the new offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans.
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Nov 4, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) congratulates wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) after he scored a touchdown during the NCAA football game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Ohio State won 35-16.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) talks with the media during Ohio State football coach and player news conferences on Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025 at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in Columbus
Aug 8, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receivers Carnell Tate (17) and Jeremiah Smith (4) catch passes during football practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Complex.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) runs the ball against the Michigan Wolverines in the first half of the NCAA football game at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) blows a kiss to the fans in the first half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) runs toward Penn State Nittany Lions safety Zakee Wheatley (6) during the NCAA football game at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. Ohio State won 20-13.
August 31, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) yells as he scores a touchdown during the second half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game against the Akron Zips at Ohio Stadium.
Sep 2, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Louis Moore (20) breaks up a pass intended for Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) during the first half of the NCAA football game at Indiana University Memorial Stadium.
Oct 7, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) catches the ball despite attempts from Maryland Terrapins defensive back Gavin Gibson (26) during their game on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.
Sep 16, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) makes a touchdown catch against Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defensive back Nazir Ward (27) during the third quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium.
Aug 1, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receivers Carnell Tate (17) and Emeka Egbuka (2) run between drills during football camp at the Woody Hayes Athletic Complex.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) celebrates a touchdown catch with tight end Max Klare (86) during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Ohio Bobcats at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 13, 2025. Ohio State won 37-9.
Ohio State football wide receiver Carnell Tate ignites the match prior to the MLS soccer game against Chicago Fire FC at Lower.com Field in Columbus on Feb. 22, 2025.
Mar 7, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) stretches with wide receiver Reis Stocksdale (87) during spring football practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) catches a pass and scores a touchdown against Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Zion Tracy (7) in the first half of the college football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) makes a touchdown catch against Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Malcolm Hartzog Jr. (7) during the first quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium on Oct 26, 2024, in Columbus.
Sept. 7, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) is pursued by Western Michigan Broncos defensive back Josh Franklin (21) during the first half of an NCAA Division I football game on Saturday at Ohio Stadium.
Nov 9, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) and Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrate a touchdown by Smith during the first half of Saturday’s football game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ohio Stadium.
Nov 9, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) is tackled by Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Antonio Stevens (11) during the second half of Saturday’s football game at Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) catches a touchdown pass in front of Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Josh Fussell (13) during the first half of the NCAA football game at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
Aug 8, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receivers Emeka Egbuka (2), Carnell Tate (17) and Brandon Inniss (11) watch during football practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Complex.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) catches a touchdown pass in front of Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Josh Fussell (13) during the NCAA football game at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. Ohio State won 31-7.
Aug 31, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) celebrates a touchdown with teammates during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Akron Zips at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 52-6.
Oct. 14, 2023; Lafayette, In., USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) runs the football during the second half of Saturday's NCAA Division I football game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium in Lafayette.
Oct 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) celebrates a first down during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) celebrates his touchdown with Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) against Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium on Oct 26, 2024, in Columbus.
Sep 16, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) celebrates a touchdown with offensive lineman Carson Hinzman (75) during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 63-10.
August 31, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) is upended by Akron Zips defensive back Malcom DeWalt IV (17) during the second half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game at Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates with wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) after Smith scored a touchdown in the first half at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.
Sep 28, 2024; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) is tackled by Michigan State Spartans in the first half at Spartan Stadium on Saturday.
Aug 31, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates a touchdown by wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Akron Zips at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 52-6.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) heads up field against Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Isaac Gifford (2) after a catch during the first quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium on Oct 26, 2024, in Columbus.
Oct 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) can't come up with the catch against Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Daequan Hardy (25) during the first quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium.
Nov 4, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) lines up for a play during the NCAA football game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Ohio State won 35-16.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receivers Carnell Tate (17), Brandon Inniss (1) and Jeremiah Smith (4) talk during spring football practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on March 17, 2025.
August 31, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) is tackled by Akron Zips defensive back Paul Lewis III (9) during the first half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game at Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State Buckeye Carnell Tate (17) signs autographs after the spring game at Ohio Stadium on April 12, 2025.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) catches a pass against Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Mike Gerald (13) in the first half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
Oct 5, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) walks off the field after not playing against Iowa Hawkeyes during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) catches a touchdown pass over Texas Longhorns defensive back Jaylon Guilbeau (3) during the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025. Ohio State won 14-7.
Mar 5, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) stretches with wide receiver Reis Stocksdale (87) during the first spring practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
Mar 5, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) stretches with wide receiver Reis Stocksdale (87) during the first spring practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
Nov 4, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) congratulates wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) after he scored a touchdown during the NCAA football game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Ohio State won 35-16.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) talks with the media during Ohio State football coach and player news conferences on Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025 at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in Columbus
Aug 8, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receivers Carnell Tate (17) and Jeremiah Smith (4) catch passes during football practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Complex.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) runs the ball against the Michigan Wolverines in the first half of the NCAA football game at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) blows a kiss to the fans in the first half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) runs toward Penn State Nittany Lions safety Zakee Wheatley (6) during the NCAA football game at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. Ohio State won 20-13.
August 31, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) yells as he scores a touchdown during the second half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game against the Akron Zips at Ohio Stadium.
Sep 2, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Louis Moore (20) breaks up a pass intended for Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) during the first half of the NCAA football game at Indiana University Memorial Stadium.
Oct 7, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) catches the ball despite attempts from Maryland Terrapins defensive back Gavin Gibson (26) during their game on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.
Sep 16, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) makes a touchdown catch against Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defensive back Nazir Ward (27) during the third quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium.
Aug 1, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receivers Carnell Tate (17) and Emeka Egbuka (2) run between drills during football camp at the Woody Hayes Athletic Complex.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) celebrates a touchdown catch with tight end Max Klare (86) during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Ohio Bobcats at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 13, 2025. Ohio State won 37-9.
Ohio State football wide receiver Carnell Tate ignites the match prior to the MLS soccer game against Chicago Fire FC at Lower.com Field in Columbus on Feb. 22, 2025.
Mar 7, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) stretches with wide receiver Reis Stocksdale (87) during spring football practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) catches a pass and scores a touchdown against Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Zion Tracy (7) in the first half of the college football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) makes a touchdown catch against Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Malcolm Hartzog Jr. (7) during the first quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium on Oct 26, 2024, in Columbus.
Sept. 7, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) is pursued by Western Michigan Broncos defensive back Josh Franklin (21) during the first half of an NCAA Division I football game on Saturday at Ohio Stadium.
Nov 9, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) and Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrate a touchdown by Smith during the first half of Saturday’s football game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ohio Stadium.
Nov 9, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) is tackled by Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Antonio Stevens (11) during the second half of Saturday’s football game at Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) catches a touchdown pass in front of Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Josh Fussell (13) during the first half of the NCAA football game at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
Aug 8, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receivers Emeka Egbuka (2), Carnell Tate (17) and Brandon Inniss (11) watch during football practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Complex.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) catches a touchdown pass in front of Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Josh Fussell (13) during the NCAA football game at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. Ohio State won 31-7.
Aug 31, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) celebrates a touchdown with teammates during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Akron Zips at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 52-6.
Oct. 14, 2023; Lafayette, In., USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) runs the football during the second half of Saturday's NCAA Division I football game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium in Lafayette.
Oct 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) celebrates a first down during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) celebrates his touchdown with Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) against Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium on Oct 26, 2024, in Columbus.
Sep 16, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) celebrates a touchdown with offensive lineman Carson Hinzman (75) during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 63-10.
August 31, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) is upended by Akron Zips defensive back Malcom DeWalt IV (17) during the second half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game at Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates with wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) after Smith scored a touchdown in the first half at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.
Sep 28, 2024; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) is tackled by Michigan State Spartans in the first half at Spartan Stadium on Saturday.
Aug 31, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates a touchdown by wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Akron Zips at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 52-6.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) heads up field against Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Isaac Gifford (2) after a catch during the first quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium on Oct 26, 2024, in Columbus.
Oct 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) can't come up with the catch against Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Daequan Hardy (25) during the first quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium.
Nov 4, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) lines up for a play during the NCAA football game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Ohio State won 35-16.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receivers Carnell Tate (17), Brandon Inniss (1) and Jeremiah Smith (4) talk during spring football practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on March 17, 2025.
August 31, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) is tackled by Akron Zips defensive back Paul Lewis III (9) during the first half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game at Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) catches a pass against Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Mike Gerald (13) in the first half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
Oct 5, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) walks off the field after not playing against Iowa Hawkeyes during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) catches a touchdown pass over Texas Longhorns defensive back Jaylon Guilbeau (3) during the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025. Ohio State won 14-7.
Ward will be surely be excited about the outlook of the Titans' receiver room heading into his second season.
Last season, tight end Chig Okonkwo led all Titans receivers with 560 yards on 56 receptions, while rookies Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike added 515 and 423 yards respectively. Former All-Pro receiver Calvin Ridley played in just seven games last season due to a broken fibula suffered in a loss to the Texans on Nov. 16.
Not only is Ridley returning, but Tennessee also added former Giants pass-catcher Wan'Dale Robinson in the offseason, who recorded 1,014 yards on 92 receptions last season.
Now insert Tate into the mix and Ward's receiver room has taken a 180-degree turn from his rookie season when he threw for 3,169 yards with 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
With Robinson expected to operate primarily from the slot, Tate could develop into a dangerous deep ball threat for Ward, having caught 75% of his targets in three years of college and 69% of targets on contested throws.
Last season Tate caught 48 passes for 838 yards and nine touchdowns, playing alongside future top-five pick Jeremiah Smith, while the previous year he had 52 receptions for 733 yards and four touchdowns while splitting time with Smith and Emeka Egbuka.
Having opted for the former Buckeyes star over his college teammate, edge Arvell Reese, the expectation is that Tate will develop into the clear No. 1 option for Ward. Ridley should slide in behind him in his return from injury, while Robinson, Ayomanor and Dike will all be contributors.