The Train Daddy is back with sports news, life lessons and politically incorrect talk. All aboard!

It’s turning into summer—before we know it, a new football season will be kicking off in Tennessee!

Let’s keep it simple this issue; the Titans just wrapped up the 2026 NFL Draft with eight selections, so let’s talk Titans!

In Round 1 the Titans didn’t make one pick, but got to take two players in the first round. Haters are always going to hate, but that’s okay because Cam Ward was a happy, happy man after the Titans drafted the top receiver in this class, Carnell Tate.

Tate was the top prospect for a reason. He is a reliable, talented receiver and had a big part in Ohio State’s success and national championship run in 2024. Sure, this pick shocked some. Many fans in Tennessee had Love in mind. After the Cardinals stupidly picked Jeremiyah Love—being a team with low-ceiling quarterbacks—it doesn’t really add up. The Cardinals now find themselves in a strange financial situation.

Did I want Love to become a Titan? I would be lying if I told you no. The idea of Cam and Love had me hyped up. But as talented as Love is, I highly doubt he makes the selection worth it for Arizona. Before playing a single snap, he became the highest-paid running back in the NFL by average annual salary and guaranteed money with his $53 million over four years, thanks to the NFL’s mandatory guaranteed salaries based on draft position.

Positional drafting matters, and it’s why you hear many experts continually telling us you never draft a running back in the first round. It’s not a knock on Love. Dude’s a 100% stud, but even if he plays like a top 5 back in 2026, many would argue it still wouldn’t validate the pick. I am no genius, but this was a checkers move. The proper chess moves early in round 1 prioritizes high-value positions like QB, Edge, WR, OT and CB, while generally positions like RB, LB and Safety get looked at later due to lower replacement cost and fewer high-salary contracts.

It certainly makes me feel better about Carnell Tate’s 4-year, fully guaranteed contract worth around $51 million. Tate has been put in a situation where he more than likely outplays the investment.

Tate has good size and, while he isn’t going to burn you with top speed, he can dominate defenders with his tracking ability and he has elite body control. Most importantly, the kid doesn’t drop balls, and with a large catch radius he consistently wins those contested balls.

If anything, the Titans didn’t just take the best WR in this class, they took the safer pick as well. Maybe the Saints’ new wideout Jordyn Tyson becomes the class’s best receiver—he truly has that kind of potential, taken behind Tate at the 8th overall spot. But given Tyson’s lengthy injury history at such a young age, I wouldn’t touch this dude with a 10-foot pole.

I saw a few people saying the Titans drafted a dude at four who wasn’t even the best receiver on his team. If you know ball then you know Tate’s Ohio State teammate Jeremiah Smith is different; Smith may end up being one of the greatest receiving prospects the league has ever seen next draft.

That doesn’t take away from the fact that Tate was the best prospect in this 2026 class and has more than enough potential to offer the Titans. I had one ask of pick number 4, and it was that the Titans help Ward rather than adding to Big Jeff Simmons’ stout-looking defense. The Titans did exactly that.

Does Carnell Tate have a chance to win Offensive Rookie of the year? Panthers rookie Tetairoa McMillan took it last year, Ja’Marr Chase did in 2021 and Garret Wilson in 2022. The Titans are a team that a 4th-round rookie WR led the way for in 2025 with 515 receiving yards. So the simple answer is yes, Tate has a great chance. I do expect he will have between 750–1,200 receiving yards this season, and that may be enough to get the award over Fernando Mendoza or J-Love.

Just when I thought opening night of the draft was over, the Titans traded with the Bills and drafted a 6-foot-5, 275-pound power rusher off the edge. The Titans gave up a little capital to make this happen, but not much. They gave up picks 35, 66 and 101 in exchange for 31, 69 and 165, and they got the dude they wanted by wiggling around a little.

I don’t love this pick as much as the Tate selection, because it’s clear that Keldric Faulk still has some growing to do as a player.

But Faulk, one of the youngest players in this draft at 20 years old, has game-changing potential and now has one of the best defenders in Jeff Simmons and defensive-minded coaches in Saleh to get the best out of him. He is a big, long, fast and violent player who fits this new-look defense perfectly, unlike former Titan heavyweight T’Von Sweat. Faulk was a player out of Auburn who few expected to be available near the end of the first round, and I love the aggression Titans GM Mike Borgonzi showed in trading up and landing him.

With the next pick in this draft, it became clear as ever this is Coach Saleh’s team. The defensive-minded head coach got his linebacker, and they once again traded up to make it happen. Borgonzi was cooking, and you won’t hear me complain about giving up a 5th-round pick to make it happen.

The Titans selected Anthony Hill Jr. out of Texas, a former 5-star recruit in the Texas high school system. There is nothing but positive things to say about this player. He had outstanding collegiate stats and posted a 4.5-second 40-yard dash at the combine. The 6-foot-2, 238-pound linebacker also recorded a 37-inch vertical jump, logging in the second-best athleticism score of all linebackers.

There probably isn’t a better situation in the league for a young linebacker than to be wanted by Coach Saleh, who has a proven track record finding talent at the position. Hill posted 31.5 tackles for loss, 17 sacks and eight forced fumbles in three seasons at Texas as he received national recognition and was a finalist for the Butkus Award this past season.

Anthony Hill Jr., photo courtesy tennesseetitans.com / Eric Gay

Hill is a true three-down linebacker who excels in pass coverage. He is a strong blitzer, has the speed to pursue runners’ sideline to sideline, and will, I believe, quickly become a fan favorite. I have this overwhelming feeling he may end up being the best selection of this draft and be a serious contender for defensive rookie of the year.

All of these first three draft selections should be immediate impact players as rookies. Sure, these moves created a gap of talent between the second- and fifth-round picks, but it doesn’t mean these last five players don’t offer upside.

With the 142nd overall pick the Titans selected Fernando Carmona, an OG out of Arkansas. He certainly will get the opportunity on a Titans line that still has question marks. Many view Fernando as a sleeper pick who has real potential to battle for a starting spot inside. This solid blocker also has experience starting at tackle.

With the 165th overall pick the Titans selected Nick Singleton, a running back out of Penn State. I like this selection! He is an explosive dual-threat back with the ability to pass-protect. The full package! Singleton runs with power and vision, and can turn nothing into points from anywhere on the field. Nick will get playing time, and more than any of these late round picks is my bet to see the reps increase quickly. The former 5-star prospect has all the ability and, after playing on a bad Penn State team, is ready to take the next step. His health is worth monitoring after suffering a foot injury at the senior bowl and missing the NFL combine.

With the 184th overall pick the Titans selected Jackie Marshall, a DT out of Baylor whom I would imagine becomes a reserve player. He has some studs to learn from, though. Soak it all up in camp!

Later in the sixth round, with the 194th overall pick, the Titans selected Pat Coogan, a center out of Indiana. Certainly not undersized, the 6-foot-5, 300-plus-pound national champion is ready to make his mark with Tennessee. Being selected in the sixth round worked for future hall of famer Jason Kelce, who was a 6th-round pick by the Eagles back in 2011.

Pat brings experience and a championship pedigree. They say he has a lack of athleticism; they said the same thing about Kelce. Pat is a stout blocker, and leader is a word used often in scouting reports. I really hope they find Cam Ward’s guy soon after releasing Cushenberry this offseason. Pat certainly will get the opportunity to snap the football in Tennessee and outperform his draft selection.

With the Titans’ final draft selection and the 225th pick the team selected Jaren Kanak, a tight-end out of Oklahoma. I am intrigued! Dude played linebacker for three seasons before transitioning to tight end his senior year. He had a big enough impact—he was named third-team All-Conference in the mighty SEC, catching 44 balls for over 500 yards. We will see what kind of noise he can make in camp. I imagine he is the perfect player for “Bones” Fassel to notice and throw out on special teams—a headhunter kind of player!

The Z-Train is rolling into the station! If you can’t tell already, I am excited for year two of Cam Ward and this new coaching staff. One more season at Old Nissan and then that new $2 billion-plus stadium is open for business. Exciting times in Tennessee with the rebrand and fresh hope in this team. It’s been tough lately for Titans Nation, but brighter days are here. Titan Up!