With the 2026 NFL Draft now behind the Tennessee Titans, it is time to discuss some way too early projections for each draft pick during their rookie seasons. That, of course, begins with the No. 4 overall draft selection: wide receiver Carnell Tate. The conversation didn’t stop there, working all the way down to Oklahoma tight end Jaren Kanak in the seventh round.

Along with A to Z Sports Titans insider Easton Freeze, we discussed each rookie and the most likely year-one impact. We also spoke about the best-case and the worst-case scenarios for each prospect. Some things Freeze and I very much agreed on, but several we saw quite differently.

Here is what Titans fans should expect from their talented rookie crop.

WR Carnell Tate (Ohio State)

Freeze’s outlook:

So much of our pre-draft discourse on Tate revolved around him living up to being a top 5-ish draft pick, and that often overshadowed how attractive a prospect he was, in my opinion. If we’re quibbling over whether he’s really a top-5 or more of a top-10 draft pick talent historically, I think we’ve lost the plot. Each class is different, and this year, he was the top offensive player on the board when the Titans picked. They got their guy to help Cam Ward, and there is little doubt in my mind that he will do just that. But to what extent?

I think Tate’s floor is the career arc of the former Titan whom he’s sometimes compared to: Corey Davis. If Tate struggles with inconsistency and fails to at least flash WR1 dominance, never quite cracks the 1,000-yard mark, never becomes a redzone threat, and isn’t considered for a second contract, that will be a failure. Barring injury, that “very useful, but not worth the investment” storyline is the worst case I could see here.

Best case? Tate can become a dominant route runner with all-world hands and ball skills, a la Davante Adams. But that’s the dream scenario. I think his success on a rookie contract is as simple as this: In 3-4 years, the Titans offer him a healthy WR1-level contract, and nobody is particularly surprised by it. A Tee Higgins career arc is a popular comp for Tate that I think is very realistic.

Roberts’ outlook

With Wan’Dale Robinson and Calvin Ridley in the room, there are some solid veteran options to lean on, but Tate still needs to come in and be a difference maker based on his draft slot. I believe the floor is extremely high, which gives me a lot of hope that Tate will come in and be the top pass catcher on the roster. I could very much see a 70-catch, 1000-yard season as a rookie. From there, the deeper upside conversation will be answered during the second and third seasons of his rookie contract.

EDGE Keldric Faulk (Auburn)

Freeze’s outlook:

Faulk’s outlook to me is similar to Femi Oladejo’s last draft, but different in one key way. Ultimately, I think his success will be defined by what he is 2-3 years from now. I expect the Titans to groom him in the John Franklin-Myers/Arik Armstead role in Robert Saleh’s defense: Outside on early downs, inside on late downs. He has the frame and strength to fit that mold. If he becomes the plus-starter in that spot for the Titans a year or two from now, once JFM starts to age out, then he will be a success.

Where he’s different from Femi in my eyes is that while he still has a lot of upside to develop towards, I’m not going into his rookie year with nearly as low immediate expectations. I think Faulk needs to be a valuable contributor in a rotational role by the stretch run of the season at the very least. Saleh is going to rotate these guys heavily all year, and he needs to be noticeable on that carousel. I won’t be surprised if he finishes the year with a handful of sacks to his name despite playing on the inside much more than a true EDGE.

Roberts’ outlook

I am not really sure what to expect from Faulk during his rookie season. With such a deep defensive line, you could argue that the defense doesn’t necessarily need a player like Faulk, a high-floor run defender, to come in and contribute. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Titans utilize Faulk as a bit of a mismatch weapon as a movable chess piece on passing downs with his combination of size (6-6, 276 pounds) and movement skills. In Year One, you want Faulk to be a flashy piece for a really talented unit. 2027 is when I see the true breakout happening.

LB Anthony Hill Jr. (Texas)

Freeze’s outlook:

Hill is somebody I can already tell I’ll be pumping the brakes on relative to the fanbase. Perhaps he comes along rapidly and proves me wrong, but if we’re playing the odds, I don’t think it’s wise to write Cody Barton on the bench in pen just yet. Eventually, Hill’s success will be measured by whether he can establish himself as a bona fide starting middle linebacker on this team. If he isn’t that by the end of Year 2, I will be disappointed. But at the beginning of his rookie season, I won’t see it as a failure at all if he is still proving himself to this coaching staff in a rotational third LB capacity. The linebacker position is amongst the trickiest transitions from college to the pros. Because of the hash marks and the way the two leagues generally play the game, it’s basically two different positions. You’re asked to do entirely different things in the NFL. This acclimation and trust-earning period will be especially vital if he’s to become the MIKE linebacker that he was in college.

A gifted communicator who sees the game well is critical to Saleh’s defense at that spot. It’s ok if that takes a little time for Hill to become.

Roberts’ outlook

I was lower on Hill than most analysts, so I see this fit similarly to Freeze. Hill is a very good blitzer, so I think a niche role as a second level pressure player in 2026 would be ideal. With substantial struggles as a processor, I just don’t see Hill as a plug-and-play performer at inside linebacker. This is my selection for the biggest letdown of the draft. While I would expect to see Hill as a full-time starter by the start of the 2027 season, there is a reality where Hill caps off as an average starting option.

OG Fernando Carmona (Arkansas)

Freeze’s outlook:

The Day 3 rookie linemen in this class are, for my money, the hardest to place expectations on. That’s mostly because I get the sense that the Titans’ own (as well as fans’) expectations for them are a tad higher than what I honestly think is fair.

Day 3 starters of any kind are rare! And Day 3 plus-starters are even rarer! So if either of Carmona or Coogan became serviceable starters (especially as rookies) I will view that as a roaring success.

What’s actually likely? I think Carmona has “Corey Levin” upside. If he settles into a role as the swing interior lineman on this roster, who you are very comfortable with in a pinch, that’s still a definite success to me. And I find this outcome to be the most reasonable.

Roberts’ outlook

After playing mostly at left tackle with San Jose State and in 2024 with Arkansas, Carmona ended up transitioning inside to guard last season. That outlook fits Carmona’s skill set much better, and I actually am intrigued to see what he looks like after more experience on the inside. While there is an opportunity to compete up front, I tend to believe that Carmona will be a pure depth player in 2026. If he is fighting for playing time during Year Two or Three, then that is a successful selection for a fifth rounder.

RB Nicholas Singleton (Penn State)

Freeze’s outlook:

Singleton’s February Jones Fracture surgery on his foot complicates this projection. Without knowing how quickly he’ll be back to 100%, as well as (more importantly) how behind the eight ball it will put him in his rookie studies/development, is the biggest question we need answered.

Because of that, my expectations are largely being pushed into the beginning of 2027. How much was he able to prove in his rookie season behind Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears? With both of those veteran contracts expiring, is he viewed as the heir to the throne in his second season? That would be a massive success. Is he viewed as a definite contributor in a new-look stable of backs? That’s a success as well. A failure this year for him is to fall into the seat it appears Kalel Mullings is in; buried by new acquisitions and fighting to make the roster already.

Roberts’ outlook

For anyone who has followed me over the years, you know that I was never a huge fan of Singleton as a prospect. Yet, I am actually higher on his prospects heading into his rookie season. Perhaps it’s because of some of Spears’ durability issues, but I do believe that Singleton will take over as the team’s top third down and change of pace option during the 2027 season. Depending on what happens with Pollard after next year, it will be interesting to see how the Titans view Singleton’s place in that running back room.

DT Jackie Marshall (Baylor)

Freeze’s outlook:

In such a busy room of interior defensive linemen, it’s hard to place immediate expectations on this Day 3 acquisition. Titans brass has said they saw pass-rush upside that can be drawn out of him, so that’s certainly a start. If he develops into a useful rotational player that brings more than just two-down run stopping ability, then that will be a win. But he isn’t somebody that needs to be a big factor in Year 1 if you ask me, nor is that particularly likely. They need to see what he might become in a year or two.

Roberts’ outlook

There is a world where Marshall doesn’t even make the roster at a pretty crowded interior defensive line position, but I am very much intrigued by his potential fit. Jordan Elliot and Solomon Thomas were quality veteran additions this offseason, but they still aren’t untouchable. I do believe that Marshall will make his name on special teams during his rookie season. If Marshall is able to make the team, he will be my heavy favorite to be a Year Two breakout as an interior pass rusher in 2027.

C Pat Coogan (Indiana)

Freeze’s outlook:

A lot of what I had to say about Carmona applies to Coogan here as well. I liked him a lot as a prospect heading into draft weekend to take in this exact range and develop into a backup center option. If he becomes a rosterable NFL backup, that’s a win in my book. But I get the sense that the Titans would like to see him earn the starting role this year or next, and given his athletic limitations, I would regard that as a roaring success. Prove me wrong, Pat!

Roberts’ outlook

I was admittedly a bit lower on Coogan as a prospect overall. He is a tenacious competitor who won’t shy away from a challenge. The physical skill set is just below average all around. The best-case scenario is that Coogan earns a roster spot as an interior swing during his rookie contract. I would be pretty shocked if he becomes a quality starter down the road.

TE Jaren Kanak (Oklahoma)

Freeze’s outlook:

Kanak has the skillset to earn a roster spot this August through special teams contributions. A 7th round tight end prospect from this class is an easy grade: if they can make the team and contribute meaningfully on special teams, it’s a successful pick. If they offer anything on offense, that’s a giant bonus.

Roberts’ outlook

I tend to agree with Freeze on this one. With Kanak beginning his Oklahoma career at linebacker, along with his overall athleticism, there is a pretty intriguing floor as a core special teamer. If Kanak can make a roster, I imagine potential on offense is more of a year two through four conversation.