The Titans are set to pick fourth in this year’s draft, but trading down may be a best-case scenario for the rebuilding club. If the Titans stay put, though, they are expected to select either an edge defender or a wide receiver, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.
The Titans are fans of Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, but there is a real possibility the Cardinals will take him third overall. That would leave Tennessee to look for help at other positions. Edge defender and receiver are sensible targets for a team that needs better players at both spots.
The Titans finished last season a respectable 12th in sacks (42), but a team-high 11 came from defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. While they also got a combined 8.5 from edge defenders Dre’Mont Jones and Arden Key, both players are now on other teams.
As part of an offseason defensive overhaul, new Titans head coach Robert Saleh has reunited with one of his former Jets D-ends, Jermaine Johnson. The Titans do not have much else at the position, which could lead them to Texas Tech’s David Bailey at No. 4. The Jets are expected to pick Ohio State linebacker/edge Arvell Reese over Bailey at second overall. If that happens and the Cardinals choose Love, the Titans would be free to grab Bailey. Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. also looks like a fit for the Titans on paper, yet they are reportedly out on him.
As for receiver, the Titans made a sizable free agent investment in former Giants slot wideout Wan’Dale Robinson, whom they brought in on a four-year, $70MM pact. They also restructured Calvin Ridley‘s contract, setting him up to stick around for at least another year, but he endured a disappointing, injury-ruined 2025 and will turn 32 in December. As fourth- and sixth-round rookies last year, Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor posted respectable numbers. But the Titans could still use a legitimate game-breaker at the position. Finding one early in the draft should make life easier on second-year quarterback Cam Ward.
No receivers are expected to go in the top three, which would allow the Titans to snag the best pass catcher on the board with their first pick. If the Titans are leaning offense over defense, their decision may come down to Ohio State’s Carnell Tate versus Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson.
The reason teams draft in the top 5 is because they are more than ‘1 player away.’. Trade down & build that roster. Miami did it right cutting everyone this offseason; great start. But they also need picks more than 2 first round players as well.