Titans predicted to draft 14-TD weapon for Cam Ward in 2026 draft

The Tennessee Titans did not have a great 2025 season, to say the least. 

The team finished with a 3-14 record and now owns the fourth pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The good news is that former top pick Cam Ward showed some encouraging signs at quarterback, so the team should be good there. 

Now, weapons need to be added around Ward. The team has arguably the worst group of pass-catchers in the league, but luckily there should be plenty of talented options in this draft class. 

T.J. Randall of PFSN recently published an updated seven-round mock draft that has the Titans using their first-round pick on Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate. 

Regarding Tate's fit on the Titans, Randall offered the following: 

I made this connection last month, really as a form of humor above anything else. As the draft takes shape, it’s a realistic plan of action. Cam Ward took his lumps in what was a reasonably normal rookie season for an NFL quarterback, minus the unevenness from those catching his passes.

The top-graded wide receiver on our end is the first receiver off the board, and for good reason beyond Tennessee’s need. At 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, Tate’s athletic profile helps him separate at all three levels and win at catch points in different environments. A premium selection on a premium player will provide an ascending quarterback with a welcoming perimeter threat.

As Randall mentioned, Tate is considered by many to be the top receiver in this draft class. The Ohio State product could eventually become the true No. 1 target that's been missing in Tennessee since A.J. Brown was traded away. 

In 2025, Tate played in 11 games for the Buckeyes and caught 51 passes for 875 yards and nine touchdowns. It was the second consecutive season of at least 50 catches and 700 yards for Tate. 

In Tennessee, Tate would undoubtedly play a big role from the jump. Chimere Dike impressed as a rookie, but there's not much to get excited about with this receiver group. 

Tight end Chig Okonkwo led the Titans in receiving yards with just 560 in 2025. Okonkwo is headed for free agency, as is Van Jefferson and James Proche II, potentially making the team's weapons even thinner. 

If this were a solid quarterback class, the Titans would likely be open to trading back from this pick with a quarterback-needy team. However, there may only be one or two quarterback selected in the first round, so the Titans will likely take the best player available. 

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