The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft raises a massive question about the Tennessee Titans:

At face value, the answer should be no, right? The Titans went 3-14 in 2024 and then went 3-14 again in 2025. They hired a new coach and followed that hire with an offseason of moves that raised the floor but didn't put anyone on roster who'd make anyone think this squad's ready for a playoff push.

Then the Titans pushed their chips in during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft in a peculiar way. With the No. 4 pick, they passed on high-upside edge Arvell Reese and all-world linebacker Sonny Styles to draft Ohio State teammate Carnell Tate, a wide receiver who projects as a No. 1 despite never being one in college. Then, come the No. 31 pick, the Titans traded up four spots and picked edge defender Keldric Faulk, a top-tier talent who doesn't have the production to match and who doesn't fill the wide-nine speed rusher role the Titans needed to address.

So... are these the habits of a team that's trying to win now or the habits of a team that's focused on development now that the floor's been raised?

Emily Duncan of Paducah, Ky., center, reacts to the Arizona Cardinals pick of Jeremiyah Love during the 2026 Titans Draft Party at Nissan Stadium Thursday, April 23, 2026. She was hoping, as many Titans fans were, he would be the Titans fourth pick. Instead, the Titans took wide receiver Carnell Tate.during the 2026 Titans Draft Party at Nissan StadiuTennessee Titans fans react to the announcement of wide receiver Carnell Tate as the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft during the 2026 Titans Draft Party at Nissan Stadium Thursday, April 23, 2026.1 / 2Tennessee Titans celebrate first-round draft pick at Nissan StadiumEmily Duncan of Paducah, Ky., center, reacts to the Arizona Cardinals pick of Jeremiyah Love during the 2026 Titans Draft Party at Nissan Stadium Thursday, April 23, 2026. She was hoping, as many Titans fans were, he would be the Titans fourth pick. Instead, the Titans took wide receiver Carnell Tate.1 / 2Tennessee Titans celebrate first-round draft pick at Nissan StadiumEmily Duncan of Paducah, Ky., center, reacts to the Arizona Cardinals pick of Jeremiyah Love during the 2026 Titans Draft Party at Nissan Stadium Thursday, April 23, 2026. She was hoping, as many Titans fans were, he would be the Titans fourth pick. Instead, the Titans took wide receiver Carnell Tate.2 / 2Tennessee Titans celebrate first-round draft pick at Nissan Stadiumduring the 2026 Titans Draft Party at Nissan StadiuTennessee Titans fans react to the announcement of wide receiver Carnell Tate as the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft during the 2026 Titans Draft Party at Nissan Stadium Thursday, April 23, 2026."I'm really excited about the two guys we added here tonight," Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi said. "Carnell Tate, we thought he was the best receiver in the draft. Then coming back up to get Keldric Faulk who really fits this defense. He's long. He can play outside-inside. I'm really excited about adding these two guys here tonight. Good character guys too."

We have to face the facts about Titans history repeating itself here: Vince Young and Kenny Britt didn't develop into a great QB-WR combo. Jake Locker never developed alongside Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter. Marcus Mariota didn't thrive even with Dorial Green-Beckham and Davis drafted to be his guys. Now it's Tate and Cam Ward in back-to-back years. You draft a quarterback. You surround him with receivers. You try to make it work.

The Titans' problem, historically, is that they don't make it work.

Is Tate the guy to make it work? He certainly can be. The trio of Tate, Ridley and Wan'Dale Robinson gives the Titans three pass catchers who would've been their best receiver in December when Ward was playing his best football despite throwing to rookies and glorified practice squad players. Squint and you can see the makings of a three-level attack that lets the shifty Robinson handle underneath routes, the physical and composed Tate make contested catches and the speedy Ridley taking the top off defenses deep.

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 ColumbusAug 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 14-7.1 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverMar 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.1 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverMar 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.2 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverNov 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 35-16.3 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverOhio 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 Columbus4 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverAug 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.5 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverOhio 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.6 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverOhio 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.7 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverOhio 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 20-13.8 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverAugust 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.9 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverSep 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.10 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverOct 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, 2023.11 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverSep 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.12 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverAug 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.13 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverOhio 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 37-9.14 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverOhio 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, 2025.15 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverMar 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.16 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverOhio 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.17 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverOhio 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.18 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverSept. 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.19 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverNov 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.20 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverNov 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.21 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverOhio 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, 2024.22 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverAug 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.23 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverOhio 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 31-7.24 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverAug 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 52-6.25 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverOct. 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.26 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverOct 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.27 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverOhio 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.28 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverSep 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 63-10.29 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverAugust 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.30 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverOhio 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.31 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverSep 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.32 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverAug 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 52-6.33 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverOhio 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.34 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverOct 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.35 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverNov 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 35-16.36 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverOhio 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, 2025.37 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverAugust 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.38 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverOhio State Buckeye Carnell Tate (17) signs autographs after the spring game at Ohio Stadium on April 12, 2025.39 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverOhio 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.40 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverOct 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.41 / 41Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, Ohio State wide receiverOhio 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.But that's a committee projection much more than it's a Tate projection. The offense feels more complete, but Tate feels less like a missing piece and more like a final piece, a utility player rather than a game-changer.

Faulk's the same thing: Utility, not game-changer. Here's a guy who logged two sacks last season despite preseason All-America hype, and a guy who plays big instead of with speed. He gives the Titans the starter they're missing on the line, but he doesn't give them anything new. He's an upgrade by talent, not by transformation.

Our primary question is valid. Tate just turned 21 in January. Faulk doesn't turn 21 until September. These are projects. But they're also players drafted to fill needs in the present-tense. It's not a surprise this regime believes in exposure therapy; just look at how last year's rookie class was thrown into the deep end.

But all offseason, the Titans made moves that indicated they were taking things slow. Build a baseline secondary. Build a baseline defensive interior. Bring in offensive players familiar with coordinator Brian Daboll's scheme to ease transition.

Now it's two premium-position players who don't quite fit the Titans' precise premium needs. On the surface, these are win-now moves. In practicality, they're win-now moves that have to be better than they've ever been in order for the Titans to win now.

It's an aggressive strategy, and it's one that shows a lot of confidence in Ward to take the leap the Titans expect him to. Even if these picks aren't necessarily the kinds of players who'd help him make that leap steadily.

Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X @nicksuss. Subscribe to the Talkin’ Titans newsletter for updates sent directly to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What Titans picks Carnell Tate, Keldric Faulk accomplished NFL draft Day 1