Titans OC Brian Daboll sends warning to Carnell Tate after controversial draft selection

Many were stunned when the Tennessee Titans made Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate the fourth overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. 

First-year Titans offensive coordinator Brian Daboll sent somewhat of a warning to Tate regarding what is expected of the promising prospect this spring. 

Titans are happy to have Carnell Tate, but now the real work begins

"The draft picks, Tate was a good player for us on our board," Daboll explained, per Christian Gonzales of the NFL's website. "Again, he's going to have to come in here and earn everything. But he has a good skill set. He could do a variety of things, contested catches, run routes, very smart. So, we were happy to get him along with the other draft picks and free agents that we got."

On paper, the Titans getting a weapon for young quarterback Cam Ward makes plenty of sense. That said, the perception exists that Tennessee "over-drafted" somebody who may never become a top-tier receiver. Specifically, NFL insider Connor Hughes of SNY spoke with one unnamed general manager who said that Tate is viewed by some as a "high-end No. 2" option at the position. 

Additionally, some feel that Titans head coach and known defensive guru Robert Saleh will regret that his club didn't select Ohio State pass-rusher Arvell Reese instead of Tate. Before the draft, Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranked Reese as the top overall prospect in this year's class. 

Carnell Tate feels he already has something to prove

"Just prove my worth," Tate recently said about what he hopes to accomplish this spring. "And prove to the coaches that they can trust me. Just get up to the level of the older guys, the vets here, and prove that I am trustworthy to them as well."

Perhaps Tate will use what has been said and written about him since the draft as bulletin-board material to help motivate him to prove doubters wrong. If he reaches his advertised ceiling, he and Ward could form quite the successful one-two punch.