Well, the Tennessee Titans made their first selection of the 2026 NFL Draft, and it wasn't who many expected. With a need for additional playmakers for quarterback Cam Ward and the offense, the Titans selected Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate.

While Tate was expected to be drafted in the top 10 of the draft, the Titans' selection of him at number four was a shock. The New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals took away two of their targets in edge rusher David Bailey and running back Jeremiyah Love just before their pick, leading to the shocker. Was it a shock in a bad way?

The Titans have been searching for a true #1 wide receiver since trading A.J. Brown during the 2022 NFL Draft. Tate might be considered a reach at #4, but if he truly was projected to be a top 10 pick, then he was projected to have the ability to become a WR1 in the NFL.

The 6'2" Tate is a reliable target who offers excellent route-running and ball tracking ability. Those are intangibles that make a wide receiver great in the NFL. He also played at a college that has a good track record for wide receivers succeeding in the NFL at a high level.

Cam Ward needed weapons, and Tate will likely slide into a starting role next to free agent signee Wan'Dale Robinson and the returning Calvin Ridley. That potential starting group, along with last year's draft picks Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, makes for an intriguing wide receiving room for Cam Ward to elevate the offense to new heights next season.

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans: Why Carnell Tate is a perfect fit