The Titans are a very interesting team heading into next season that could surprise many as I absolutely think they have what it takes to go from being likely the worst team in the NFL over the past two seasons to now a potential playoff team. The fanbase should be optimistic about the coaching staff and QB spot, as #1 overall pick QB Cam Ward is heading into year 2 in the NFL, they have hired defensive mastermind head coach Robert Saleh, and the team has also brought on two former head coaches as coordinators as well. The roster outside of the QB spot remains the biggest concern however and it will need to be better in order for the Titans to reach their potential playoff ceiling next year. Here I will go into detail assessing the skill position grouping of Tennessee as the 2026 season approaches.
At running back, the team is led by veteran Tony Pollard who is very talented but at times inconsistent. Pollard in seven seasons in the NFL has graded as a top six overall running back according to Pro Football Focus on three separate occasions. Pollard however has graded in the below average range in that department for the past two seasons in a row now. That could of course be attributed to the Titans being likely the worst team in the NFL over the past two seasons with also likely the worst offensive infrastructure and Pollard’s production being compromised as a result. Prior to the past couple of seasons, Pollard was consistently among the better if not the best overall running backs in the NFL. Perhaps I am overstating his inconsistencies as the drop off in his play has likely been due to the Titans putting him in spots to fail with regularity over the past few seasons. Pollard is set to play next season at only 29 years old and the Titans in my estimation will have a borderline elite to an elite player at the position as his production can be expected to return to its typical form as the team gets its act together.
2023 3rd rounder Tyjae Spears is set to back up Pollard at running back and is among the most talented #2 backs in the NFL. Spears was drafted pretty highly for a running back and in his time in the NFL thus far he has looked strong. Spears in three seasons in the NFL has graded in the above average to well above average range among players at his position according to Pro Football Focus twice. Spears in his limited time in the NFL has consistently been ranked by Pro Football Focus as one of the premier receiving backs in the NFL, ranking in the top ten twice and ranking third in that department last season. While 2021 4th rounder Michael Carter has also shown a high ceiling in the NFL and is among the better if not the best overall #3 backs in the sport today.
At tight end the team has question marks but still some promise and the unit is weak as of now and will need to be better in order for the Titans to reach their potential in 2026. 2025 4th rounder Gunnar Helm leads the unit as of now and is coming off a solid rookie season. Helm graded in the middle of the pack among players at his position despite being a rookie and despite the Titans having maybe the worst offensive infrastructure in the NFL this past season. Helm will need to breakout next season in order for the Titans to have a strong tight end unit capable of carrying a potential playoff team. The Titans also lack depth behind Helm as of now as the team does not even have a surefire NFL caliber player behind him in the unit.
At wide out the Titans are an interesting team heading into next season as the team could have a potentially electric wide receiver core that ranks among the best in the NFL. 2026 4th overall pick Carnell Tate is listed as the team’s #1 wide out as of now and was touted as perhaps the best overall wide receiver entering the draft. Tate is on a short list of wide outs taken that high and will be in line to become a potentially transcendent player in the NFL. Veteran former first rounder Calvin Ridley is the team’s #2 wide out as of now and is a talented player with some concerns, however. Ridley has made a second team All-Pro and has graded in the above average to well above average range in terms of an overall offense grade among players at his position in every season he has stayed healthy and was not a rookie. Ridley however is coming off an injury riddled season and will turn 32 years old at the end of the 2026 campaign. If Ridley is healthy and on his A game and does not show much signs of aging, he will be among the premier #2 wide outs in the NFL next season. The Titans also have decent depth at wide out as well as they have multiple players with a high ceiling who could step in and produce at a strong rate. 2022 2nd rounder Wandale Robinson has shown some promise in the NFL as such a high draft pick. While 2025 4th round rookies in Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike looked solid as rookies and are in line to build off it in year 2.
Overall, from a skill position player standpoint the Titans have an electric ceiling as their running back unit and their wide receiver unit have elite ceilings although question marks. If either or both of those units can live up to their potential and if the highly suspect tight end unit can play well enough, then Tennessee could have an elite grouping of skill position players next season. A breakdown of the skill position grouping of the Titans can be found below heading into the 2026 season.
2026 Notable Titans’ Wide Receivers
WR – Carnell Tate – 2026 4th overall pick
WR – Calvin Ridley – B to B+
WR – Wandale Robinson – C to C+, 2022 2nd rounder, has shown promise as such a high draft pick
WR – Elic Ayomanor – C as rookie in 2025, 2025 4th rounder
WR – Chimere Dike – C as rookie in 2025, 2025 4th rounder
2026 Notable Titans’ Running Backs
HB – Tony Pollard – B+ to A-
HB – Tyjae Spears – B to B-, one of premier receiving backs in the NFL
HB – Michael Carter – C+
2026 Notable Titans’ Tight Ends
TE – Gunnar Helm – 2025 4th rounder, C+ as rookie
