NASHVILLE — Tennessee Titans tight end Gunnar Helm has been named the franchise’s 2026 breakout candidate by NFL analyst Ben Solak. The piece, featured on ESPN.com, predicted one such player for all 32 clubs.

Helm earned the nod over other candidates such as quarterback Cam Ward or veteran wide receiver Calvin Ridley. It speaks to what Helm could mean for an offense desperate for reliable pass-catching options beyond its wide receiver room.

What Solak sees in Gunnar Helm

Helm possesses “the tools of an NFL starter, the length, the size, speed, ball skills above the rim, away from his frame, and toughness through contact,” according to Solak.

That was on display during the former fourth-round pick’s rookie season. Helm was one of the few bright spots that Tennessee fans had to watch as the team finished with a regular season record of 3-14 for the second consecutive year. The tools Solak describes of Helm are critical for a player with Ward’s skill-set.

The Titans quarterback’s style drew comparisons to franchise legend Steve McNair and Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes throughout Ward’s pre-draft process. Few tools have served those players better during their respective careers than the tight end position.

Tennessee’s version of investing around Ward will feature sophomores in Helm and receivers Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike. Adding Wan’Dale Robinson and Daniel Bellinger in free agency with a spend on Ohio State wide out Carnell Tate this year at No. 4 overall improved Ward’s options by miles.

Why the selection makes sense for Tennessee

Helm’s rookie contributions were steady.

He played in 16 games, catching 44 passes for 357 yards and two touchdowns. His production picked up as the season progressed before a foot injury slowed him late. He also provided value as a blocker, an area where he outperformed Chig Okonkwo, who graded as one of the worst blocking tight ends in the league.

Okonkwo departed Tennessee this offseason in free agency.

The more compelling argument for Helm as a breakout candidate comes when you expand the lens beyond position groups. Framing the Titans’ pass-catching hierarchy as Calvin Ridley, Wandale Robinson, and Carnell Tate at wide receiver misses the bigger picture. If you instead evaluate the top three pass-catching options regardless of position, Helm has a real case to slot in alongside Robinson and Tate.

Ridley, now in his 30s, is coming off a broken leg.

Even before that injury, drops and what appeared to be shaken confidence plagued his 2025 season. Helm may lack Ridley’s explosive ceiling.

Right now, Ward needs reliability more than anything else.

Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.