Tennessee Titans GM Mike Borgonzi Praises Carnell Tate and Kendrick Faulk as Draft Day Gems

The Tennessee Titans made two significant moves on Thursday night, selecting Carnell Tate, a wide receiver from Ohio State, with the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Later, the team traded back into the first round to select Kendrick Faulk, a defensive end from Auburn, at No. 31.

Following the selections, Titans General Manager Mike Borgonzi shared his enthusiasm about the two additions, highlighting their potential impact on the team.

“Carnell Tate, we thought he was the best receiver in the draft,” Borgonzi said, via the team’s website. “And then coming back up and getting Keldric Faulk, who really fits this defense. I mean, long, can play outside, inside. Looking back to some of [Robert] Saleh's defenses, too, it reminded me a little bit of [Arik] Armstead when he had him there in San Francisco. So, really excited about adding these two guys here tonight. Great character guys, too.”

Why Carnell Tate Stands Out

The Titans are particularly excited about the profile of Carnell Tate, a 6-foot-2, 192-pound wideout with standout athleticism.

“Well, he's a bigger, vertical guy. The route running, very efficient, his route running,” Borgonzi said. “I thought he had exceptional ball skills to be able to track the footballs, catch radius downfield. I think he's going to be a great fit in this offense. And you know, he's 20 years old last year playing at Ohio State. He's a young kid.

Borgonzi emphasized Tate’s ability to dominate downfield, particularly in contested situations:

“But Tate has the ability to play big downfield. That's the one thing, all these contested catches downfield, his ability to go up and catch the football, contort his body in certain ways. I think it's going to be great for Cam [Ward].”

Kendrick Faulk’s Versatility and Fit

In addition to Tate, the Titans secured Kendrick Faulk, a defensive end whose physical attributes and versatility align with the team’s defensive scheme under head coach Robert Saleh.

Faulk’s ability to play both outside and inside positions makes him a valuable asset for Tennessee’s defensive front. Borgonzi drew a comparison to Arik Armstead, a player Saleh previously coached in San Francisco, underscoring Faulk’s potential impact.

The Titans’ front office views both Tate and Faulk not only for their on-field contributions but also for their character, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to building a cohesive and high-character roster.