Beat: Robinson to lead Titans in scrimmage yards

Wyatt notes that Tate “had been quiet in recent practices, and he still doesn’t have a catch in two preseason games.” Today’s standout showing comes at the right time. The end of the preseason is fast approaching and the first-round rookie will be asked to contribute right away this season, especially with WR Wan’Dale Robinson currently undergoing evaluation for a concussion. The Titans’ offense is still a work in progress, so producing as a WR3 could be Tate’s ceiling for quite some time. Still, today’s report is nice to read.

FOX Sports’ Ben Arthur reported earlier that Bears DB Xavier Woods “laid out Wan’Dale Robinson over the middle of the field” during today’s joint practice, which “justifiably” prompted a response from the Titans’ sideline. Titans coach Robert Saleh called the hit “cheap.” The NFL reviews practice footage when available. We’ll see if anything comes of it. Losing Robinson for Week 1 would be consequential for QB Cam Ward, and would likely shift more work toward rookie WR Carnell Tate.

Cam Ward’s preseason has been as bad or even worse than his rookie campaign. Ward in last week’s preseason game against Seattle completed eight of his 12 attempts for 69 yards. His average depth of target on completed passes this preseason sits at a meager 1.2. Carnell Tate, meanwhile, has been targeted five times on his 23 preseason routes and does not have a reception to show for it. Daboll has been somewhat defensive this month when asked about Ward’s immense struggles after working on basic fundamentals with the second-year QB in the offseason. Ward, one of the most inaccurate passers in recent NFL history, is unlikely to support more than one fantasy-viable pass catcher in 2026.

Tate reportedly took a hard hit during Monday’s practice and missed a few days of practice as a result. The rookie receiver is now back on the field and should have a chance to suit up for the Titans’ second preseason game, which is set for Sunday against the Seahawks. Tate did not catch any of his three targets in last week’s preseason outing against the 49ers.

Tate apparently took a hard hit during Monday’s practice, but coach Robert Saleh said Tate’s stiffness is unrelated. The first-round rookie wide receiver had a good showing in spring practices, but may currently be behind slot WR Wan’Dale Robinson in the target pecking order. As is the case with many rookie wide receivers, Tate’s production could be back-weighted toward the end of the season this year.

Davenport penned a lengthy piece detailing how OC Brian Daboll is focused on developing QB Cam Ward’s play on third down, in the red zone and in the two-minute drill. This is pretty straightforward. Those are all high-leverage situations, so harping on Ward’s performance there makes sense. Robinson played on all three drives in the Titans’ first preseason game while veteran Calvin Ridley was on the field for one. Rookie WR Carnell Tate was on the field for the first and third drives. A featured role on third downs could help Robinson return FLEX value — he’s certainly being paid like he is going to be featured.

Cam Ward played three series, but Tate was most active on the opening drive, playing 10-of-11 snaps (via NFL Network’s Michael F. Florio). The goose egg looks disappointing, of course, but it is utterly inconsequential. Slightly more concerning has been a hype-free start to Titans camp for the No. 4 overall pick, though he has been lauded for a few highlight plays of late. Emphasis on “a few,” we guess. It’s hard to muster too much concern, but then again, this was always likely to be a bumpy road for the Titans’ revamped offense this season. Tate is a WR3/4 with plenty of upside but “slow start” risk to match.

We expect first-round picks to shine in these environs, so this is not necessarily a surprise, but Glennon notes that the same could not be said for the Titans’ last first-round wide receiver, Treylon Burks. Titans QB Cam Ward complimented Tate’s hands and ability to win against man coverage. Fellow WR Wan’Dale Robinson said Tate “had a really good day and was just making some incredible catches.” Tate has a chance to be WR3/FLEX-viable right away.

The deal is fully guaranteed and includes a signing bonus worth more than $33.6 million. Tate, 21, is expected to step into the Titans’ No. 1 wide receiver role right away and can be treated as a WR3/FLEX in spring drafts. He posted a 44/793/8 receiving line in his third and final season at Ohio State last year, while averaging 3.52 yards per route run.

Although he never reached 1,000 yards during his three years in the Buckeyes’ perennially loaded receiver corps, Tate (6’2/192) emerged as one of college football’s cleanest perimeter separators last season. The now 21-year-old turned 67 targets into 51 receptions for 875 yards (17.2 YPR) and nine touchdowns with a 76.1 percent catch rate. That’s eye-popping efficiency. Tate was particularly lethal downfield, converting 11 deep receptions into six scores, posting a zero percent drop rate in the process. Tate’s ability to consistently create explosive gains was reflected in his 85.7 percent contested-catch rate and top-tier 147.7 passer rating when targeted deep. He provided true three-level value. Tate also showed strong situational reliability, posting 35 first down conversions on 51 receptions, a 68.6 percent chain-moving rate. On the whole, he averaged a stellar 3.03 yards per route run, torching man (3.12 yards per route run) and zone coverage (2.71) alike. With polished ball skills, pro-ready route pacing, down-field economy, and no glaring usage red flags, Tate projects as a high-floor, high-efficiency NFL X/Z hybrid who can immediately step into a starting role to help Cam Ward and an offense that finished 30th in scoring last season.