The Tennessee Titans are just weeks away from the regular-season opener against the New York Jets, and somehow, fans are already drawing drastic conclusions from preseason. Fourth-overall pick Carnell Tate failed to record a catch on six targets, and some are already assuming he's the next receiver bust in Tennessee.
Tate had a deep-ball opportunity from Will Levis in Saturday's preseason finale, but failed to haul in a difficult catch after beating double coverage. His other misfired targets included a few missed throws from Cam Ward and one true drop against the Seahawks. The drop occurred on a run-pass-option concept in which Tate had a go ball on a fade route down the sideline. It was an excellent route and an even better throw, but he let it slip right through his fingers.
Aside from this drop, which unfortunately happens to every receiver, there has been nothing to warrant concern. Sure, the Titans were playing to win, but showing their offensive X's and O's was at the bottom of the team's priority list throughout the preseason.
Carnell Tate panic is totally unjustified after he failed to record a catch during Tennessee Titans preseason
Tate is at his best when he's vertically stretching the field, as he did at Ohio State. The Titans' social media team has posted Tate making plays deep down the field on multiple occasions, including one-handed snatches and plays with significant separation. It would be a disservice to the offense to put his best attributes on preseason tape before the regular season kicks off.
For some insight, former fifth-overall selection Ja'Marr Chase was famously plagued by drops during his rookie preseason. Per ESPN, Chase logged four drops on five targets throughout that whole preseason. Obviously Tate and Chase were different caliber players coming out of the draft, but the point stands: even the best receivers drop balls, and the preseason isn't an indicator.
"When it's time to scheme, we'll get guys the rock," head coach Robert Saleh said after the preseason outing against the Seahawks. Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll hasn't even cracked open this offense yet. Ward and Tate built strong chemistry at training camp, which should be more telling than a few meaningless throws from preseason.
It's understandable for fans and media to jump to these conclusions after the struggles of former Titans like Treylon Burks and Corey Davis, but drawing conclusions from the preseason is silly. Tate will play four quarters against the Jets in Week 1, and then more accurate conclusions can be drawn.
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