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After the Las Vegas Raiders picked QB Fernando Mendoza first overall, the Jets selected defensive end David Bailey second, and the Arizona Cardinals followed with RB Jeremiah Love at 3, the Tennessee Titans had what seemed like a challenging decision at 4.
“The board was open for the Titans to take top defensive prospects Arvell Reese or Sonny Styles, whom many draft analysts had linked to Tennessee because of coach Robert Saleh’s defensive background,” wrote ESPN’s Turron Davenport. “But Saleh had made it clear his priority was giving (QB Cam) Ward a runway to success, and picked WR Carnell Tate.
“The quarterback is a pretty damn important piece,” Saleh said after the pick. “So we’re doing everything we can to help [Ward] and surround him with players who can get the ball in their hands and go score.”
This is a theory I’ve never been big on, as many of you might know, if you are long-time readers.
“Quarterbacks make receivers, don’t make quarterbacks,” is a quote I heard from a scout or assistant coach (can’t remember which) a long time ago, and it’s always resonated.
Look, of course, you need talented receivers who are good at their jobs, but WRs can’t help a QB see the field better, read defenses better, go through his progressions better, throw with anticipation better, manipulate safeties with his eyes better, and so forth.
One of the issues with Ward coming out of college was that he struggled with disguised coverages, so not sure how receivers help with that, aside from the OC calling up a lot of bubble screens, quick slants, and go routes.
Look, Ward could take a big leap in Year Two with the Titans, but Tate’s arrival isn’t going to make him see the field better. Last year, he tended to hold the ball too long and took 55 sacks. Some of that was an average O-Line, but it was also on him. Why do QBs hold the ball too long? Often, it’s because they don’t trust their eyes when diagnosing the defense.
You might be wondering what this post has to do with the Jets?
Okay, time to get to that.
I’m not a big fan of picking receivers high in the draft, and so often teams will do that who have questions at QB, thinking that picking receivers high will help fix their QB situation.
The Miami Dolphins, in a rebuilding year, with Malik Willis at QB, waited until the third round to pick a couple of wide receivers, even though the “weapons lobby,” which I like to call them, said they should.
The fantasy football phenomenon has impacted football coverage and has led reporters and fans to pound the drum for teams to pick receivers high to help the QB.
The Jets did the right thing, not going receiver at 16, which a lot of people told them to do.
Now, they did pick a tight end, but honestly, that was more because he was is a freak of nature (with 4.39 speed), who was too good to pass up. Kenyon Sadiq is a “planet player” to use the old George Young phrase. In other words, there are not a lot of 6-3, 241-pound tight ends who run 4.39. Tight end was not a need, but Sadiq’s talent was too good to pass up, and it will also help them in the run game as a blocker, and this is going to be a run-first offense. The Jets’ formula for success this year is playing great defense, special teams, and running ball, and setting up easy throws for Geno Smith to manage the game.
Tate is a good player, but did you know he ran a 4.53 forty at the combine, not a great time for a wideout, and much slower than Sadiq?
“Carnell was by far the top receiver on our board,” Saleh said. “It was a very easy decision to make.”
I don’t think it was an easy decision at all.
Reese would have been an easier pick – a freakish linebacker who could have helped Saleh’s defense.
I have no issue with the Jets picking Omar Cooper at 30.
That’s fine.
But this idea that you pick receivers high to buttress your QB can be fool’s gold.
Fantasy football stuff.
Often owner-driven.
“Quarterbacks make receivers, receivers make quarterbacks.”
How many receivers did the New England Patriots pick in the first round when Tom Brady was the QB, and they were winning all those rings?
I will hang up and listen.
May 27, 2026
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