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The focus this offseason has been on the 2026 NFL Draft class for the Tennessee Titans, and it should be.
This group of rookies in the second draft class that General Manager Mike Borgonzi has overseen will play a big role in the franchise's turnaround.
The Titans got their quarterback in Cam Ward last year, and this draft was about building around him and the defense. The Titans already acquired Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency, and then gave Ward another receiver in Carnell Tate after selecting him No. 4 overall.
The focus for Tennessee recently was actually on a player from the 2025 NFL Draft that the franchise picked. The Titans selected Ward, Femi Oladejo, Kevin Winston, Chimere Dike, Elic Ayomanor, Gunnar Helm, Jackson Slater, Marcus Harris and Kalel Mullings.
Most of those players saw the field as rookies, but not as much as Dike, Helm, and Ayomanor. Dike and Ayomanor saw more consistent playing time after Van Jefferson underperformed and Tyler Lockett was traded at the deadline to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Ayomanor started on the outside, and Dike became the slot receiver. Helm was one of the team's starting tight ends alongside Chig Okonkwo.
NBC Sports Philadelphia's Ryan Fowler covers the NFL Draft and went through and named players he thought would become household names this season. Not every NFL team had a player featured, but the Titans did.
For the Titans, it was Dike, the receiver and return specialist.
Dike made quite the impression as a rookie. He made the Pro Bowl and was First-Team All-Pro for his return skills, and showed he has potential as a slot receiver.
He had two punt return touchdowns and led the NFL in yards per punt return (17.2). He also had 1,588 kick return yards and led the league in all-purpose yards (2,427)
As a receiver, Dike compiled 423 yards and four touchdowns.
The road is going to be tougher for Dike in 2026. Last year, he became a starter after Van Jefferson and Lockett were no longer viable. Dike and Elic Ayomanor got solid playing time as rookies, but now the Titans have added more talent at receiver.
Robinson is cemented as a starter with his multiple years of NFL experience in the slot. Tate is expected to be the Titans' WR1. This means players like Ayomanor and Dike will likely come off the bench to relieve either Calvin Ridley, Robinson, or Tate this season.
Dike's role as the team's main return specialist won't be changing. If he can earn himself more playing time as a receiver, there's a chance he could breakout and become a household name like Fowler believes he can.
With Tate and Robinson now in the mix, not enough people are talking about Dike. That's something they may come to regret.
Continue reading...
This group of rookies in the second draft class that General Manager Mike Borgonzi has overseen will play a big role in the franchise's turnaround.
The Titans got their quarterback in Cam Ward last year, and this draft was about building around him and the defense. The Titans already acquired Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency, and then gave Ward another receiver in Carnell Tate after selecting him No. 4 overall.
The focus for Tennessee recently was actually on a player from the 2025 NFL Draft that the franchise picked. The Titans selected Ward, Femi Oladejo, Kevin Winston, Chimere Dike, Elic Ayomanor, Gunnar Helm, Jackson Slater, Marcus Harris and Kalel Mullings.
Most of those players saw the field as rookies, but not as much as Dike, Helm, and Ayomanor. Dike and Ayomanor saw more consistent playing time after Van Jefferson underperformed and Tyler Lockett was traded at the deadline to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Ayomanor started on the outside, and Dike became the slot receiver. Helm was one of the team's starting tight ends alongside Chig Okonkwo.
NBC Sports Philadelphia's Ryan Fowler covers the NFL Draft and went through and named players he thought would become household names this season. Not every NFL team had a player featured, but the Titans did.
For the Titans, it was Dike, the receiver and return specialist.
Dike made quite the impression as a rookie. He made the Pro Bowl and was First-Team All-Pro for his return skills, and showed he has potential as a slot receiver.
He had two punt return touchdowns and led the NFL in yards per punt return (17.2). He also had 1,588 kick return yards and led the league in all-purpose yards (2,427)
As a receiver, Dike compiled 423 yards and four touchdowns.
The road is going to be tougher for Dike in 2026. Last year, he became a starter after Van Jefferson and Lockett were no longer viable. Dike and Elic Ayomanor got solid playing time as rookies, but now the Titans have added more talent at receiver.
Robinson is cemented as a starter with his multiple years of NFL experience in the slot. Tate is expected to be the Titans' WR1. This means players like Ayomanor and Dike will likely come off the bench to relieve either Calvin Ridley, Robinson, or Tate this season.
Dike's role as the team's main return specialist won't be changing. If he can earn himself more playing time as a receiver, there's a chance he could breakout and become a household name like Fowler believes he can.
With Tate and Robinson now in the mix, not enough people are talking about Dike. That's something they may come to regret.
Continue reading...
