Tennessee prioritized explosive playmakers for Cam Ward, shocking experts by passing on defense to secure a dynamic receiving corps and high-upside weapons for their young franchise quarterback.
The Tennessee Titans had a clear plan for the 2026 NFL Draft.
It started with two picks in the first round. The Titans first picked Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate. Then, they traded back into the first round with the Buffalo Bills to get Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk.
Tennessee no longer had a second-round pick following the Bills trade. However, that changed after it sent a trade to the Chicago Bears to acquire the No. 60 pick. With that pick, the Titans selected Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr.
Tennessee then had two picks in the fifth and sixth rounds. The Titans picked Arkansas guard Fernando Carmona and Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton. Singleton fell to the fifth round after suffering a foot injury at the Senior Bowl.
He left Penn State as the all-time leading career touchdown (55) scorer and fourth all-time leader rusher (3,461).
The final three picks of the draft for the Titans were Baylor defensive tackle Jackie Marshall, Indiana center Pat Coogan and Oklahoma tight end Jaren Kanak.
After analyzing all the Titans' pick, at first glance it seems like the Titans had two goals in mind. One was getting Cam Ward more help, and the other was to give Robert Saleh more defensive weapons.
Sports Illustrated's Eva Geitheim detailed one thing we learned about each team after the 2026 NFL Draft. For the Titans, it was providing for their franchise quarterback.
"The Titans made it a priority to support Cam Ward," Geitheim said. "Many thought the Titans would go defense with the No. 4 pick, but they surprised by taking Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate instead. The Titans ensured they got their young signal-caller a dependable weapon. Last season, no Titans receiver recorded more than 600 yards, and their leading pass catcher, tight end Chig Okonkwo, departed for the Commanders."
Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles were both on the board at No. 4, but it became clear that the Titans were focusing on upgrading the receivers after taking Tate.
The Titans' receiving corps last season was a major disappointment. Chig Okonkwo led the team with 560 receiving yards. Promising rookies Elic Ayomanor (515) and Chimere Dike (423) were second and third on the team.
Adding Tate to the mix gives him another target and someone who can challenge for a top receiving spot. He also gives the team something that they haven't really had since the days of A.J. Brown, a deep threat on the outside, which is painful, but true.
The team even thought of Ward when they picked Kanak. If he pans out, the Titans could be more motivated to move on from Daniel Bellinger when his contract expires in 2028.
With Singleton, if he can be the kind of player he was in college, watch out. Having a consistent running game is going to be huge for Ward's development. While Pollard had yet another 1,000-yard season, the team as a whole struggled, finishing with the third-fewest rushing yards per game last season.
Adding Singleton to the mix means that the Titans are trying to take the pressure off their young quarterback in the hopes that a the rushing attack will improve.
Then, there's Carmona and Coogan. Both of those picks are for the future at the least, but General Manager Mike Borgonzi believes they can challenge for starting roles at right guard and center.
After a closer look at the draft, the Titans were looking for more support for their franchise quarterback all along.