The Tennessee Titans understandably put a lot of weight on the shoulders of rookie quarterback Cam Ward in 2025, fresh off being the number one overall pick in the NFL Draft.

He wasn’t alone.

Tight end Gunnar Helm was the second of three fourth round pick pass catchers the Titans drafted in 2025, sandwiched between wide receives Chim Dike and Elic Ayomanor.

The Texas product immediately stood out to us in the local media during spring practices and summer training camp for his natural pass catching and smooth abilities. However, it’s known how difficult the transition is from college to the NFL at the tight end position.

As the NFL focus shifts to “breakout” player conversations for the 2026 season, Helm has been a Titan flying under the radar. It’s fair. Ward owns the headlines. Dike was an All-Pro return man as a rookie. Ayomanor lead the team in pass targets in 2025. Then, add in big name free agent Wan’Dale Robinson and fourth overall pick Carnell Tate to the receiver room… Helm’s hype continues to get forgotten, until Connor Rogers and Chris Simms toss some respect where it’s due.

Titans’ Gunnar Helm named “Sophomore Jumps” name to watch on Chris Simms Unbuttoned

Who will be the biggest sophomore jump? That’s the topic from Rogers and Simms this week that found its way into my algorithm.

I expected to hear a Titans offensive player, but I was pleasantly surprised it was Helm to get the nod by Rogers, as he and Simms rotated through 2025 draft picks they expect to build

“He might be the number one tight end on his team, Gunner Helm, Tennessee,” Rogers began. “Now I know they brought in (free agent Daniel) Bellinger for a bit of a different role. (Brian) Daboll has familiar with Bellinger, but Cam Ward’s going to be looking for a pass catching tight end.”

“Chig Okonkwo out. They got Carnell Tate. They got some receivers now, but Helm should be on the field, which is the most important part of this. And quietly, had over, I think, 40 catches.”

“He came on as the year went on,” Simms jumped in with excitement about the fellow former Longhorn. “He can run. He can run routes. He’s a great pass catching tight end. Probably still needs some work in the run game, certainly, but damn, I’m with you there. That’s that’s a good call by you. I would not be shocked by that at all.”

Where does Helm fit in the Titans new offense with Brian Daboll at the controller?

Summer stat projections and predictions are always a fun go-to conversation starter. But, I can’t yet get a grasp of what this offense will look like under Daboll as the offensive coordinator, even with having several seasons as a head coach, coordinator in the NFL.

Daboll does such a good job adapting his plan to his quarterback’s strengths, which is a massive plus.

Helm was Ward’s fourth most targeted outlet in 2025 (55) behind Ayomanor (86), Okonkwo (79), and Dike (74). Okonkwo, who lead the team in receptions and yards, is in Washington. Calvin Ridley only played in five full games, dealing with multiple injuries.

It’s expected for Robinson and Tate to be atop the target list at season’s end. Helm could easily be third or fourth, depending on Ridley’s health, and development from Ayomanor and Dike.