Titans wide receiver rankings, tiers after Carnell Tate’s head-turning start to OTA practice in his Tennessee debut
Carnell Tate has asserted himself in a top-tier way at Tennessee Titans OTA practices. Now, how does that affect the rest of the 2026 WR room?
Carnell Tate has objectively stolen the show in the first two Tennessee Titans OTA practices open to the local media as the rookie fourth overall pick has his teammates calling him “the truth” and “cold”.
The former Ohio State product is living up to his school’s Wide Receiver U reputation by making highlight plays in both days. Jim Wyatt, the Titans team reporter, has Tate with 10 total catches in two practice. He scored three touchdowns during the May 21 practice and had two spectacular catch moments on May 29.
Tate is living up to his draft slot as much as one possibly can as the calendar flips to June. There were questions about his ability to play a WR1 role in the NFL due to him being alongside all-world 2027 draft prospect Jeremiah Smith the last two years with the Buckeyes. It’s only voluntary practices with no pads, but Tate is checking the boxes.
Early Titans Wide Receiver Rankings/Tiers
Before the NFL Draft I crafted an X post overviewing what the WR room looked like. After the free agent addition of Wan’Dale Robinson and retention of veteran Calvin Ridley (after a pay reduction), we had a clear view of what was missing in the room.
My opinion was the Titans needed to find a player in the 2026 NFL Draft who had the capabilities to develop into a WR1 for the team in 2027, without being forced to rely on a rookie in that spot.
Tate was the surprise of pick of the Top 10 draft picks, but it’s one that has already begun to age very well.
WR 1 tier
Carnell Tate
He and QB Cam Ward are already doing a great job forming an on-field relationship that can translate to the NFL show. Tate is the most polished rookie WR I’ve seen in my soon to be 14 seasons covering the team.
His moves are smooth and effortless. His ability to catch the ball with his 94-percentile hands is even more effortless. He was trained by the best WR coach in the college game in Brian Hartline (now the USF head coach), but Tate has some things that are just him, and can’t be taught.
Starting WR tier
Wan’Dale Robinson, Calvin Ridley
The Titans have two quality starters to flank Tate which should take some of the pressure to perform off the rookie. That’s a great thing. Both of these guys have 1,000 yard NFL seasons under their belts. Robinson has familiarity with offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and will be instrumental for all of his teammates in getting in sync.
Ridley, with the pay cut, has everything to prove and fight for off an injury riddled 2025. The 2018 first round pick did play under Daboll in college at Alabama, and still has the athletic juice. I wonder if the new dynamic in this room will allow him to play more freely in 2026.
Up and coming WR tier
Elic Ayomanor, Chim Dike
The fourth round pick rookie pair combined for 89 catches, 950 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025. They mostly got their 163 combined targets out of necessity with injuries and talent deficiencies the roster presented.
It’s a different story in 2026: Ayomanor and Dike are not starters. What will their snap and target share look like? It will probably look more appropriate for two guys picked in the fourth round.
Speaking of different, Ayomanor looks different. He’s noticeably stronger, more explosive like he’s lived in the weight room over the last four months.
Depth and/or special teams role
K.J. Osborn, Bryce Oliver, Mason Kinsey
Osborn is the new name in this group as a free agent signing after the main waves concluded. During a three seasons stretch in Minnesota between 2021-2023, Osborn had 158 catches, 1,845 yards, and five touchdowns with the Vikings. He’s only played in eight total games the last two years, but is the one who is benefiting most from Ayomanor and Ridley not participating regularly in team drills this spring.
Will Osborn make the team? This is entirely hinged on two things: health around him and special teams. Oliver and Kinsey have proven to be reliable special teams contributors, with Oliver being one of the best here the last two years.
Developmental prospects
Tyren Montgomery, Xavier Restrepo
There are a few other names on the Titans 90 man roster, but these are the two who I think have the best chance of that group to stick on the practice squad with developmental upside.
Restrepo is a known fan favorite, and former Cam Ward go-to target at Miami. Restrepo’s long shot upside took a hit with the addition of Robinson. He’s still very active and asserts himself to get reps in practice.
Montgomery is one of the more intriguing stories of all the undrafted crop. The former college basketball player, turned flag football star, turned John Carrol Division III college football receiving star looks like he belongs from a physical/athletic standpoint. His routes still need efficiency work, where you can see his basketball background. Can he play special teams? He’ll have to learn.