While the spotlight shines on top draft picks, one player is quietly evolving into a physical playmaker poised to redefine Tennessee’s offense with elite ball-tracking.
The focus this offseason was on who the Tennessee Titans were going to pick No. 4 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Why wouldn't it be?
The team is entering a pivotal period in franchise history. They have gone 6-28 in the last two seasons and need to make great improvements. The Titans have a new head coach and General Manager who is in his second year with the organization.
These rookies are going to play a big part in the turnaround of this team.
The Titans selected Carnell Tate, Keldric Faulk, Anthony Hill Jr., Fernando Carmona, Nicholas Singleton, Pat Coogan, Jackie Marshall and Jaren Kanek in the 2026 NFL Draft.
For one reason or another, each of those rookies has a chance to make an impact on this team in 2026. The focus on Thursday was actually about someone from the 2025 NFL Draft class.
Cam Ward was the most significant pick that the Titans made in 2025. He is in a position to make a big leap this season now that he has Robert Saleh as his head coach and quarterback guru Brian Daboll as his offensive coordinator.
Ward wasn't the focus of a recent ESPN article.
ESPN's Ben Solak wrote about breakout candidates for every NFL team and didn't pick Ward or Tate for the Titans. He went with Gunnar Helm instead.
Solak believed that next year a lot of people are going to know about Helm.
"Big Gunnar Helm guy here," Solak said. "He has the tools of an NFL starter -- length, size, speed, ball skills above the rim/away from his frame and toughness through contact. If he's an A-plus in any one trait, it's his ability to track and adjust to the football. He makes the sort of tough downfield catches a tight end needs to make in order to become an explosive-play receiver. Helm won't lead the Titans in receptions given their offseason investments in Wan'Dale Robinson and Carnell Tate. But he is a QB-friendly third option in the passing game who can move the needle as a blocker if his technique improves to match the physical toolkit. The lightbulb was starting to go on last season, and as more eyes turn to Tennessee this season, I think he'll have national recognition by this time next year."
Helm definitely has the tools to make a big leap at tight end this season. If you look at his highlight tape from last year, it's full of contested catches that moved the chains, which you love to see from a young tight end.
He is also physical enough to make a big impact in the running game, which the Titans will need to improve if the offense wants to get better. Tennessee averaged 93.5 rushing yards per game last season, the third-fewest in the NFL.
When it comes to the Titans players predicted to have a breakout year in 2026 this offseason, it's either Ward or Tate. So, this isn't a knock on Helm, but he definitely hasn't been talked about as much this offseason compared to Ward or Tate.
Helm can absolutely have a breakout season for the Titans as he enters his first season in a pass-friendly offense led by Daboll.
Hopefully we'll be talking about how good Helm was this time next year.
