Tennessee Titans Select Wide Receiver Carnell Tate and Edge Rusher Keldric Faulk in First Round of 2026 NFL Draft
Introduction
The Tennessee Titans made two first-round selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, held on April 23 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. With the fourth overall pick, the team chose Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate. Subsequently, the Titans traded back into the first round, acquiring the 31st pick from the Buffalo Bills in exchange for selections 35, 69, and 165, to select Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk. These moves are intended to provide second-year quarterback Cam Ward with a primary receiving target and to reinforce the defensive front under new head coach Robert Saleh.
Main Body
The selection of Carnell Tate at No. 4 reflects the Titans’ assessment of him as the best wide receiver in the draft class, according to General Manager Mike Borgonzi. Tate, listed at 6-foot-2 and 192 pounds (some sources cite 6-foot-3 and 190–195 pounds), recorded 51 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns in 11 games during his final season at Ohio State, missing three contests due to injury. NFL.com assigned him a prospect grade of 6.7, indicating a projected first-year starter. Football analysts have highlighted his contested-catch ability—an 85.7% contested-catch rate in 2025—and his lack of dropped passes on 66 targets that season. His 40-yard dash time of 4.53 seconds was noted by some observers as a potential limitation, but the Titans emphasized his route-running efficiency, ball-tracking skills, and catch radius. Borgonzi stated that Tate’s ability to make contested catches downfield and contort his body would complement Ward’s skill set. The acquisition of Keldric Faulk at No. 31 involved a trade that cost the Titans three picks. Faulk, who measures 6-foot-5 7/8 inches and 276 pounds, is regarded as a strong run defender but has limited pass-rush production. Borgonzi compared Faulk to Arik Armstead, a player Saleh coached in San Francisco, citing Faulk’s length and versatility to play both outside and inside. Analysts have noted that Faulk’s youth—he will turn 21 shortly before his NFL debut—and physical traits offer developmental potential, particularly under Saleh’s defensive scheme. Some observers expressed skepticism about his pass-rush upside, while others viewed the fit as promising given the Titans’ existing edge rushers, including Jermaine Johnson and Femi Oladejo. The Titans entered the draft following a 3–14 season, their fourth consecutive losing campaign. The team fired head coach Brian Callahan after a 1–5 start in 2025 and hired Saleh in January. Brian Daboll, formerly of the New York Giants, was appointed offensive coordinator. Tennessee ranked 30th in the NFL in passing yards per game (166.1) in 2025 despite Ward starting every game. The team was the highest spender in free agency, primarily adding defensive players, and had signed wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson while restructuring Calvin Ridley’s contract. Fan reactions to the first-round picks were mixed: some expressed satisfaction with addressing two key needs, while others criticized the decision to select a wide receiver at No. 4 instead of trading down or addressing the offensive line. A subset of fans questioned Tate’s speed and the cost of trading up for Faulk. Tate became the second Ohio State wide receiver selected in the top five of an NFL draft in the past decade, following Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2024. His selection ahead of Ohio State teammates Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles—both defensive players—surprised some observers. The top of the draft also saw quarterback Fernando Mendoza go first overall to the Las Vegas Raiders and running back Jeremiyah Love third to the Arizona Cardinals. The Titans’ decision to prioritize offensive skill players in the first round reflects a broader trend among teams seeking to upgrade offensive production.
Conclusion
The Tennessee Titans addressed two positional needs in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft by selecting wide receiver Carnell Tate and edge rusher Keldric Faulk. The effectiveness of these selections will depend on Tate’s transition to a primary receiving role and Faulk’s development under defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. The team’s offseason moves, including coaching changes and free-agent acquisitions, indicate a focus on improving both offensive and defensive performance after a prolonged period of sub-.500 records.