The Tennessee Titans entered the offseason in the market for pass rushers. New head coach Robert Saleh has influenced a redesign up front. The Titans quickly traded for Jermaine Johnson II, an EDGE who previously worked with Saleh in New York. The reunions kept rolling into free agency, where Mike Borgonzi signed or traded for a number of his coach's former disciples, including John Franklin-Myers.
The Titans are now slated to enter the 2026 NFL Draft with a reasonable amount of defensive linemen on the roster. Jeffery Simmons, Johnson, and Franklin-Myers are the centerpieces. Femi Oladejo, Jacob Martin, Jaylen Harrell, and Jordan Elliott are among the supporting cast pieces.
That doesn't mean the Titans shouldn't add another potentially high-end prospect to the pass rush. Arvell Reese and David Bailey are reasonable options at No. 4 overall. If they're drafted prior to Borgonzi's selection, the Titans could use the fourth selection elsewhere and circle back to EDGEs at No. 35. We've identified three potential second-round options.
NFL Draft: 3 Pass Rushers for Titans at No. 35 overall
Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri
Missouri EDGE Zion Young is a high-floor prospect who sets hard-nosed edges as a run defender. The Atlanta, Georgia native recorded a career-high 6.5 sacks for the Tigers this past campaign, though his tape indicates he lacks the top-tier athleticism needed to develop into an elite pass rusher at the next level. Young's game is built around power, effort, and well-developed hands, which should land him an immediate role.
Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Cashius Howell is an athletic but undersized pass rusher who has generated some fringe first-round buzz. He finished second in the SEC in sacks this past season with 11.5 quarterback takedowns. Howell ran a 4.59 at the NFL Combine with an excellent 1.59 ten-yard split. He's 6-2, 253, but has historically short arms (30.25 inches) and struggled to defend the run in college. He ultimately projects as a designated pass rusher with the first-step quickness and athleticism needed to stress opposing tackles with speed.
Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF
UCF pass rusher Malachi Lawrence attached a jetpack to his pre-draft stock with an eye-opening performance at the NFL Combine. Lawrence ran a 95th percentile 40-yard dash (4.52), and leaped a 96th-percentile vertical (40 inches) and 97th-percentile broad jump (10-foot-10), according to MockDraftable's historical data. He's an athletic pass rusher who notched 19.5 sacks over the previous three campaigns. He's a better pass rusher than run defender at this stage.