TEN Gunnar Helm
NFL player. Position: TE. Team: TEN.
Quick Facts
- Position: TE
- Team: TEN (Tennessee Titans)
- College: University of Texas
2026 Outlook
Second-year tight end poised for breakout with significant receiver additions to the Titans' passing game and new coordinator Brian Daboll's heavy TE set usage. No longer competing for targets with Chig Okonkwo (now with Washington Commanders), Helm stands to benefit from expanded opportunities underneath as primary TE1. As a rookie fourth-rounder, Helm caught 44 passes for 357 yards and 2 TDs over part-time (37% route participation), ranked 4th on the team in receiving yards and tied for 2nd in targets inside the 20 (8 targets). With that efficiency extrapolated to full-time snaps, his breakout potential is legitimate. New weapons including #4 pick Carnell Tate and veteran Wan'Dale Robinson elevate the passing game and create openings for Helm in intermediate routes. Brian Daboll's history of running two-TE sets at nearly double Tennessee's previous rate means year-two volume spike is highly likely. Stadium Rant's tight end sleepers ranking identifies Helm as a breakout candidate with "sneaky beneficiary" status in Year 2 of the Cam Ward offense, noting ESPN's Ben Solak already tabbed him as Tennessee's breakout candidate heading into 2026. His ADP sits around TE23 (pick 174), but with Okonkwo gone, Helm is "the single best value pocket" at the position entering training camp (per Fantasy Football Tight End Sleepers 2026: 5 Late-Round TEs Who Can Win Your League). In 2025, Helm and Okonkwo combined for 100 receptions on 134 targets for 917 yards and 4 TDs; with Okonkwo in Washington, the vast majority of this target volume should consolidate to Helm, creating legitimate TE1 upside for the 23-year-old (per Fantasy Football Tight End Sleepers: Chig Okonkwo Sees His Value Spike As Does A...).
Early training camp (Aug 10): Helm won the TE1 depth chart competition against veteran Daniel Bellinger despite Bellinger's free agent contract ($24M, 3-year) and prior working relationship with OC Brian Daboll. This signals meaningful progression for the second-year tight end and suggests Helm's preseason slate could feature expanded snap counts (per Tennessee Titans release unofficial depth chart: 5 takeaways).
Dynasty sleeper view: After a combine ankle sprain dropped him from Day 2 prospect to early fourth-rounder, Helm sits unopposed for passing-down snaps with Kylen Granson and Daniel Bellinger as secondary competition. He posted 24th-best yards per route run among TEs (min. 20 targets) at 1.45 YPRR—a respectable efficiency. As a low-risk dynasty acquisition, Helm offers spot-start potential in 2026 with the ability to be flipped if he underperforms (per 12 Deep Dynasty League Sleepers for Fantasy Football: Undervalued Trade and Draft Targets (2026)).
Role / Depth Chart
Penciled in as starter entering training camp. Primary tight end for the Titans in Brian Daboll's system. Veteran Daniel Bellinger signed as free agent complement and mentor. Athletic and versatile, Helm will serve as safety blanket for QB Cam Ward. Depth chart includes draft pick Jaren Kanak (developmental, former linebacker, upside on special teams), plus free agent Kylen Granson, David Martin-Robinson, and Joel Wilson competing for roster spots (per Titans training camp preview: Gunnar Helm to lead tight end group). Top-two spots appear secure for Helm and Bellinger, with others battling for depth roles.
Injury Status
None noted. Healthy entering training camp.
Recent News
- 2026-06-12 — Gunnar Helm 2026 Fantasy Football Outlook: Positioned to Take Command of Titans' Tight... (Gunnar Helm 2026 Fantasy Football Outlook: Positioned to Take Command of Titans' Tight...)
- 2026-08-10 — Tennessee Titans release unofficial depth chart: 5 takeaways (Tennessee Titans release unofficial depth chart: 5 takeaways)
- 2026-07-16 — Titans training camp preview: Gunnar Helm to lead tight end group (Titans training camp preview: Gunnar Helm to lead tight end group)
- 2026-06-26 — NFL breakout players for the 2026 season - Yahoo Sports (NFL breakout players for the 2026 season - Yahoo Sports)