NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans made a unanimous decision to select Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate at No. 4 in the draft, a pick that drew visible excitement in the team’s draft room. Receivers coach Greg Lewis applauded as offensive coordinator Brian Daboll finished the call introducing Tate to the team, and the organization views the 6-foot-3, 195-pound All-American as a player who can develop into a No. 1 target opposite last year’s first-round pick, quarterback Cam Ward.
The choice came after the Arizona Cardinals took Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3, leaving top defensive prospects such as Arvell Reese or Sonny Styles available. Head coach Robert Saleh said his priority was creating a runway for Ward, adding, “The quarterback is a pretty damn important piece. So we’re doing everything we can to help [Ward] and surround him with players who can get the ball in their hands and go score.” He called Tate “by far the top receiver on our board.”
Ward targeted the rookie frequently during the first OTA session open to reporters, praising Tate’s skill set. “He’s got great hands, wins in man coverage, and he’s a strider,” Ward said. Tate’s deep-play production at Ohio State caught the Titans’ eye: five of his nine touchdowns last season went for 40 yards or more, and he easily hauled in a 50-plus yard touchdown from Ward during a team period after a coverage breakdown by Marcus Harris and Kevin Winston Jr., according to the team report.
General manager Mike Borgonzi highlighted Tate’s contested-catch ability and large catch radius, saying his capacity to “go up and catch the football, contort his body in certain ways” will be valuable for Ward and the offense. Borgonzi also noted Tate’s burst at the line of scrimmage, an attribute the Titans value for an X receiver who will face more press coverage.
Offensive coordinator Daboll said he plans to use more motion and bunch formations with closer splits to combat press coverage, and he cited Tate’s preparation at Ohio State under position coach Brian Hartline. Assistant general manager Dave Ziegler said there was “a consensus vision” for how Tate fits Daboll’s scheme, and the staff already has worked Tate into quick-decision looks such as slants during team periods.
