​Nashville’s Tennessee Titans have a rising pass-catching option to watch in 2026, and ESPN analyst Ben Solak believes the franchise’s breakout candidate will be tight end Gunnar Helm. In a feature published on ESPN.com, Solak spotlighted Helm as the one player from the Titans who could emerge as a breakout star for all 32 NFL clubs in the coming season. Helm earned the nod over other strong possibilities, including quarterback Cam Ward and veteran wide receiver Calvin Ridley, underscoring the value he could bring to an offense in need of dependable options beyond its primary wide receiver group.
Solak emphasizes that Helm possesses the traits and toolkit typical of an NFL starter. He noted Helm’s length, size, speed, ball skills both on the move and away from his frame, and toughness through contact as key qualities that could translate into sustained success at the professional level. Those attributes were evident in Helm’s rookie campaign, when the Titans were navigating a challenging season. Tennessee finished 3-14, marking the second straight year of underperformance, yet Helm stood out as one of the brighter spots for a fan base eager for signs of offensive improvement.
The evaluation aligns with a broader assessment of Helm’s potential in a Titans offense that has often leaned on its tight end room as a stabilizing factor. The rookie showed the kind of versatility that can help an offense diversify its playmaking options, a critical attribute for a team that has been searching for reliable pass-catching threats beyond its top targets. Helm’s skill set complements the evolving quarterback landscape in Tennessee, particularly given the team’s investment in developing playmakers around Ward, who has been compared to franchise legends and current stars for his ability to extend plays and create opportunities with accuracy and vision.
The Titans’ plan to build around Ward includes a mix of young talents and proven acquisitions. Helm sits alongside sophomores Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, as well as veteran additions Wan’Dale Robinson and Daniel Bellinger through free agency. The 2024 fourth-round pick’s potential is further amplified by Tennessee’s high-profile selection of Carnell Tate at No. 4 overall in the recent draft, a move designed to boost Ward’s options and expand the offense’s vertical and intermediate targets. This constellation of pass-catching weapons signals an intentional shift toward more dynamic and reliable options, with Helm positioned to benefit from increased opportunities in 2026.
Helm’s on-field contributions last season illustrated his steady progression as a playmaker. He appeared in all 16 games, recording 44 receptions for 357 yards and two touchdowns. His production gradually increased as the year proceeded, though a foot injury sidelined him late in the season. Beyond his receiving numbers, Helm established himself as a capable blocker, a facet where he notably exceeded expectations for Tennessee’s tight end room. This blocking proficiency also factored into comparisons with teammates and highlighted Helm’s all-around value to the offense. In contrast, some of his peers at the position, such as Chig Okonkwo, encountered rough periods in blocking efficiency. Okonkwo departed the Titans in free agency this offseason, further slotting Helm into a potential starting role that could involve more snaps and more opportunities in pass protection and run-blocking schemes alike.
While Ward’s development remains central to the Titans’ offensive trajectory, the broader discussion about Helm’s breakout potential shifts the focus from position-by-position depth charts to a more holistic evaluation of the Titans’ top pass-catching options. If one looks at the Titans’ best pass-catching talents in aggregate, Helm has a legitimate case to be viewed as a top-three threat alongside Robinson and Tate, regardless of positional designation. The broader context matters: Ridley, who is now entering his 30s, has faced injury concerns and a decline in explosiveness in recent seasons. Even before his leg injury in 2025, Ridley dealt with drops and confidence issues that dulled his previous effectiveness. Helm’s development offers Tennessee a more stable and youthful alternative who can grow into a reliable target as the offense evolves.
In the current landscape, Ward’s immediate need is reliability and consistency, and Helm’s emergence could help meet that requirement. The potential synergy among Helm, Robinson, and Tate may form the core of a revived passing attack, with Helm serving as a dependable option who can win contested catches, create separation in tight windows, and contribute as a blocker when the offense requires additional protection. The combination of Helm’s athletic profile, his rookie-season trajectory, and the Titans’ surrounding cast offers a plausible pathway for him to become one of the league’s breakout players in 2026.
This analysis, originally published by A to Z Sports, reflects a growing confidence in Helm’s ability to translate his college and early NFL traits into sustained production. As the Titans continue to refine their offensive system and optimize personnel around Ward, Helm’s role could expand from a productive rookie to a foundational contributor for years to come. For fans and fantasy enthusiasts alike, Helm represents a compelling breakout candidate whose impact could extend beyond a single season, shaping the trajectory of Tennessee’s offense in the years ahead. This piece on Helm as a breakout candidate adds to the ongoing conversation about how the Titans plan to optimize a dynamic pass-catching corps around a talented young quarterback.
Note: This summary references the original reporting and context from A to Z Sports and ESPN’s Ben Solak, who highlighted Gunnar Helm as Tennessee’s potential breakout player for the 2026 season.