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Every team is excited about their incoming class of rookies, but how will those new players affect each team in 2026?
Let's look at the Tennessee Titans, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from their class while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
Tennessee Titans 2026 Draft Class: Which Rookies Will Make an Impact?
The Titans made the wise decision to further invest in the development of Cam Ward by selecting Carnell Tate (first round) and adding to an already solid receiving corps. Tate will immediately start on the outside along with Calvin Ridley, giving Ward two legitimate downfield weapons. Although Tate doesn’t have blazing speed, he is an efficient route runner who still creates separation and also has the height to pluck the ball from the air in contested situations. During his three years with the Buckeyes, Tate caught an impressive 82% of his catchable targets at 15 or more yards downfield. Titans receivers caught just 67% of those throws last year, ranked 20th.
Keldric Faulk (first round) was a surprising addition by the Titans due to the scheme that Robert Saleh and coordinator Gus Bradley are likely to run. Both Saleh and Bradley traditionally have lined up almost exclusively in four-man fronts, which probably limits the value a versatile lineman like Faulk can provide. In this scheme, Faulk is a traditional strong-side defensive end and will likely serve as the backup to John Franklin-Myers, who was given $42 million guaranteed this offseason. Maybe Faulk can also compete with Jermaine Johnson for reps on the opposite side, but he’s probably not athletic enough to be a full-time weak-side end in the Titans’ scheme. Faulk’s pass-rush production was suppressed by his versatile role at Auburn. He generated a decent 14.5% pressure rate when lined up from the seven-tech position or wider, but that is likely not strong enough to push Johnson or backup Oluwafemi Oladejo for playing time.
Anthony Hill Jr. (second round) was one of the best selections of Day 2 and will compete with Cody Barton for the starting middle linebacker role and will likely wear the green dot if he wins the job. Hill’s 4% missed-tackle rate last year was the second lowest among linebackers in this draft class, behind only Sonny Styles. Both Saleh and Bradley have excellent track records developing prospects for that role in their defense, so there’s reason to believe Hill locks down that role for years to come in Tennessee.
Fernando Carmona (fifth round) and Pat Coogan (sixth round) both add depth to the interior offensive line. Carmona was a standout left tackle at San Jose State before moving to Arkansas and struggling with the initial transition to the SEC. However, he switched to left guard in 2025 and quickly made an impact. Coogan played left guard and center during his time at Notre Dame and Indiana.
The 220-pound Nicholas Singleton (fifth round) brings a more physical skill set to the Titans' backfield and could see some opportunities on early downs. Singleton had over 600 carries during his career at Penn State, and his performance was all over the map. The only constant in his career was the ability to avoid negative plays. He’ll take what the offensive line gives him and find a way to push forward for positive yards, making him an ideal early-down back even if he lacks the explosive athleticism to be a reliable feature back.
Jackie Marshall (sixth round) is a developmental prospect who has the athleticism and length to be a pass-rush force on the interior, but never figured out how to consistently collapse the pocket at Baylor. Marshall’s 4.8% pressure rate when lined up as a three-tech ranked 68th out of 98 qualified power-conference interior linemen. Jaren Kanak (seventh round) is another developmental prospect who only spent one year at Oklahoma as a tight end after switching from linebacker, but immediately carved out a role for himself in the offense.
This looks like a solid class for the Titans, with Tate and Hill likely playing critical roles immediately. The Faulk selection was confusing, but if there’s a plan to get him involved as a rookie, this could be one of the stronger classes in terms of immediate impact.
This analysis continues in the 2026 Football Preview
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