The Titans are heading toward training camp with plenty of attention on Cam Ward, but ESPN’s Ben Solak sees a different second-year player as the one most likely to break out in 2026: Gunnar Helm.
Solak made the case that Helm has the kind of traits that can translate into a real NFL starting tight end. He pointed to Helm’s “length, size, speed, ball skills above the rim/away from his frame and toughness through contact.” Of all those tools, Solak said Helm’s best trait might be his ability to track and adjust to the football.
That skill set matters because it shows up in the kind of plays tight ends have to win to become difference-makers in the passing game. Solak said Helm “makes the sort of tough downfield catches a tight end needs to make in order to become an explosive-play receiver.”
Even with that upside, Helm is not expected to be the Titans’ main target. Solak noted that Tennessee’s offseason investments in Wan’Dale Robinson and Carnell Tate mean Helm “won't lead the Titans in receptions.” But he still sees a valuable role for him as a “QB-friendly third option in the passing game” and a blocker who can help the offense if his technique catches up to his physical tools.
Solak also believes the momentum was already starting to build last season. He said, “The lightbulb was starting to go on last season, and as more eyes turn to Tennessee this season, I think he'll have national recognition by this time next year.”
Helm did show flashes in 2025 and stayed under the radar for much of the offseason. By the end of the year, he had emerged as arguably Tennessee’s top tight end and was more consistent than Chig Okonkwo from game to game. Now that he enters the season as the clear top tight end on the roster, he should get every chance to keep climbing.
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