Gunnar Helm

Even as the clear TE1, Helm sits behind a crowded pass-catching tree under new OC Brian Daboll — R1 rookie Carnell Tate (WR1), Wan'Dale Robinson, and Calvin Ridley all command targets ahead of him, capping his realistic ceiling.

Helm suffered a toe injury in Week 15 against San Francisco, ending his rookie season. While not surgery-level serious, lingering toe injuries can affect receiving fluidity and agility for tight ends heading into 2026.

The Titans have hired new head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll for 2026, meaning offensive scheme and TE usage patterns will change from the 2025 system that favored Helm's development.

Chig Okonkwo is a pending unrestricted free agent with market value projected at $10-12M annually, and the Titans have expressed interest in re-signing him. If Okonkwo returns, Helm's path to expanded volume remains blocked in 2026.

Helm's ceiling is directly tied to Cam Ward's Year 2 development. Ward's ability to consistently find the TE in critical situations—and their chemistry building—will take time, keeping a lid on Helm's target volume while Ward continues to settle in as a starter.

Game logs show target share falling to 6% and snaps to 58% over the final stretch (1.1 pts in W17), with the season finale missed — the bullish 'breakout' narrative must be reconciled against a fading rookie close.

Helm surpassed Bo Scaife's franchise record for most receptions by a rookie tight end, with 44 catches in his first NFL season. Late-season, he nudged ahead of Chig Okonkwo among Tennessee's tight ends, with at least four catches in four of his last five games.

Helm was emerging as Cam Ward's top target, especially with injuries to Calvin Ridley and Elic Ayomanor, and recorded at least five targets in three of Tennessee's last five games. This rapport with the young QB creates strong foundational chemistry heading into Year 2.

Chig Okonkwo's free-agent departure clears the path for Helm to be Tennessee's unquestioned TE1 pass-catcher in 2026. The Titans' signing of blocking specialist Bellinger — rather than another receiving TE — reinforces that Helm owns the receiving role outright.

Cam Ward is Tennessee's long-term franchise QB investment. A reliable TE who develops chemistry alongside a young ascending QB can compound dynasty value significantly over a 3–5 year arc, and Helm's 80% catch rate in Year 1 is the kind of efficiency that earns a QB's trust.

Chigoziem Okonkwo signed with the Washington Commanders in free agency — the structured teammate data listing him as a current Titan is stale. Helm is the uncontested TE1 with Daniel Bellinger added purely as a blocking complement and Jaren Kanak (R7) a non-threatening project pick.

New OC Brian Daboll has a strong history of featuring TEs (Evan Engram, Kyle Rudolph, Daniel Bellinger at NYG) and his deliberate addition of Bellinger as Helm's blocker signals intentional architecture around Helm as the receiving TE in this offense.