Why Titans chose Carnell Tate over Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles to pair WR with Cam Ward

If Jeremiyah Love was off the board, the Tennessee Titans were widely expected to go with a defensive player at No. 4 overall in the NFL Draft. Love was indeed unavailable by the time the Titans moved onto the clock, but they instead chose to upgrade their offense.

The Titans selected Ohio State WR Carnell Tate, adding a weapon for young QB Cam Ward but passing on Tate's Buckeyes teammates Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles.

Robert Saleh's defensive background made Styles a popular mock draft projection for the Titans, while Reese was considered a contender to be drafted as high as No. 2 overall before the Jets selected Texas Tech's David Bailey.

Here's what you need to know about the Titans' decision.

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Why Titans drafted Carnell Tate over Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles

Many teams have made mistakes by not surrounding their young quarterback with the best possible supporting cast. For all of Zach Wilson’s failures with the Jets, Saleh watched as his young quarterback dealt with a less-than-ideal developmental situation. The Titans are evidently determined to make sure that doesn’t happen to Ward.

Wan’Dale Robinson joined the Titans’ wide receiver corps in free agency and veteran Calvin Ridley agreed to return on a restructured deal, plus second-year WR Elic Ayomanor had promising moments in his rookie season. It’s hard to call anyone from that trio a legitimate No. 1 receiver, though. The Titans evidently believe Tate can be a No. 1 and give Ward the best chance to develop into a franchise quarterback.

Tate was considered one of the safest prospects in the draft, though his ceiling has been debated. A good-not-great receiver isn’t ideal at No. 4, but after Emeka Egbuka faced similar concerns out of the same school entering the NFL and had a strong rookie season in Tampa Bay, Tennessee is betting that Tate will beat those expectations.

Tate said after being drafted that he plans to be “always open” for Ward, so he sounds like he’s ready to validate the Titans’ confidence.

Tennessee certainly has needs at the linebacker position. Styles is a pure off-ball linebacker, while some teams believe Reese can become an edge rusher even if he starts out as an off-ball linebacker. Inside linebackers, however, aren't valued as highly as most other position groups on either side of the ball. It isn't clear whether the Titans didn't believe Reese could become an edge rusher, but Tennessee did already add a pass-rusher this offseason by acquiring Jermaine Johnson II.

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Titans WR depth chart

It’s rare for a rookie to step in and be a team’s No. 1 receiver, but the Titans showed their commitment to Tate by taking him ahead of potential defensive studs, and Tennessee doesn’t exactly have a clear-cut top target for Ward outside of him.

Robinson signed a $72 million deal to reunite with OC Brian Daboll, so he figures to have a sizable role, while Ridley is the most experienced receiver in the room for the Titans.

After showing flashes in their rookie seasons, Ayomanor and returner Chimere Dike should both see roles in Tennessee’s passing game, even if Tate’s arrival makes the path to targets more complicated.